Teaching Assistant Diploma – Assignment One
1. Describe how you might contribute to a lesson given to a group of seven year old children learning to play percussion instruction.
The role of a teaching assistant is to maximise learning, create a safe and positive learning environment and to minimise behaviour problems. I would contribute to the lesson by trying to achieve this goal in the following way:
Making sure there is suitable, safe space for all the equipment to be set up in.
I would check to make sure that all the working area is clean and tidy of any other objects that are not needed for the lesson.
I would also check that there will be adequate equipment and that all instruments are in good working order prior to use.
I would also make sure I had a good knowledge of the instruments prior to the lesson, if I didn’t I would ask the teacher to clarify the names and also how they were to be used.
Helping children who may struggle using the instruments, showing them how to hold and play with them.
Making sure that music sheets are available if needed.
I would also monitor their behaviours by supervising and to try and minimize disruptive behaviour, which will help the children keep interest in the lesson. I would also ensure that I carry out observations on the children to make sure they have the ability to use the instruments and to achieve the outcome of the lesson.
As a teaching assistant I should also be prepared to offer feedback at the end of the session to either the children or the teacher.
2. What might your role be in organising, using and maintaining the learning resources, materials and equipment?
I would assist in the preparation of the resources, ensuring the classroom was set up before the lesson begins.
I would ensure that all the instruments are set up correctly as instructed by the teacher, checking that they are in a good, clean and also in a safe working order. I would also be checking that there will be enough instruments...