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Reflective Journal Entry
Reflective Journal Entry
Journal Entry
For
my
most
recent
placement,
I
was
placed
at
a
school
where
a
majority
of
the
students
spoke
English
as
their
second
language.
Although
they
were
quite
fluent
in
the
way
they
spoke
and
understood
instructions,
the
prep
class
that
I
was
placed
in
had
a
range
of
different
learning
needs
as
some
students
were
below
standard
compared
to
others.
This
was
a
challenge
as
I
needed
to
make
it
a
priority
to
cater
for
all
learning
needs
and
ensure
that
every
student
had
multiple
learning
opportunities.
The
Australian
Institute
for
Teaching
and
School
Leadership
(AITSL)
developed
the
Professional
Standards
for
Teachers
which
states
the
characteristics
and
qualities
of
an
effective
teacher
(Wallace,
2015).
During
the
three
weeks
of
placement,
it
was
important
that
I
considered
these
standards
when
I
was
not
only
planning
for
lessons,
but
when
also
teaching.
I
believe
that
AITSL
Standard
1.5;
Differentiate
teaching
to
meet
the
specific
learning
needs
of
students
across
the
full
range
of
abilities,
was
most
reflected
while
I
was
planning
lessons.
Each
lesson
ensured
that
all
students,
regardless
of
ability,
were
able
to
achieve
the
same
learning
goals.
The
diversity
of
learners
is
one
of
the
most
critical
and
challenging
aspects
when
planning
for
lessons
and
when
implementing
teaching
strategies.
It
is
our
role
as
teachers
to
create
learning
opportunities
that
enables
all
students
to
succeed,
despite
different
learning
needs
and
abilities.
As
to
not
discriminate,
each
lesson
that
I
planned
covered
the
same
topic
and
addressed
the
same
concepts.
However,
I
was
aware
that
some
students
would
either
find
it
difficult
or
too
easy
and
repetitive,
therefore
I
modified
the
task
by
either
simplifying
it
or
extending
it
further
to
suit
their
specific
needs.
I
found
this
was
effective
as
all
students
were
completing
the
same
task
that
allowed
them
to
all
succeed
and
meet
the
success
criteria
for
that
particular
lesson.
In
addition,
it
encouraged
and
allowed
every
student
to
participate
and
feel
involved
without
impacting
their
self-
esteem
or
differentiating
who
was
smarter.
Willis
and
Mann
(as
cited
in
Alavinia
&
Farhady,
2012)
states
that
it
is
important
that
teachers
modify
and
adapt
their
instruction
to
meet
students
varying
differences.
Alavinia
&
Farhady
(2012)
argues
that
it
is
important
for
teachers
to
equally
value
and
attend
to
the
needs
of
all
learners.
Furthermore,
he
suggests
that
teaching
methods
and
strategies
need
to
be
modified
in
order
to
achieve
an
educational
space
that
is
beneficial
and
rewarding
for
all
students
with
different
learning
needs.
I
believe
that
this
theory
was
reflected
in
both
my
teaching
and
my
lessons
as
the
needs
of
each
student
were
considered.
As
a
result,
it
provided
opportunities
for
every
student
to
succeed
at
their
own
pace
and
therefore
enhanced
their
involvement
and
participation.
As
the
majority
of
the
class
was
below
standard,
my
associate
teacher
advised
that
repetition
of
concepts
learnt
already
was
beneficial.
As
a
result,
I
chose
to
begin
several
lessons
with
a
brainstorm
or
a
class
discussion
revising
a
topic
that
was
done
in
previous
lessons.
I
ensured
that
I
encouraged
students
to
participate
in
class
discussion
and
I
continued
to
do
this
when
they
progressed
to
their
individual
work.
By
doing
this
I
believe
that
AITSL
Standard
1.2;
Understand
how
students
learn
and
AITSL
Standard
4.1;
Support
student
participation
were
achieved.
It
is
important
that
teachers
create
certain
strategies
to
encourage
and
motivate
participate
and
interaction
between
students.
In
saying
this,
teachers
should
create
an
environment
where
the
students
feel
confident
and
safe
enough
to
share
their
ideas.
An
approach
such
as
brainstorms
allows
students
to
freely
express
their
ideas
and
compare
them
to
others
within
the
class.
I
made
conscious
decisions
of
who
I
chose
to
share
to
ensure
that
I
was
giving
everyone
a
chance
to
voice
their
opinions
and
not
the
same
student
over
and
over
again.
On
occasion,
I
would
have
visuals
to
support
what
was
written
on
the
brainstorm
in
order
for
students
to
associate
the
text
with
the
image.
When
students
would
answer,
I
would
ask
them
to
come
to
the
front
and
place
the
image
next
to
the
word.
I
found
this
strategy
was
effective
as
it
not
only
was
enjoyable
for
the
students
but
it
prompted
and
encouraged
students
to
be
involved.
According
to
Hyde
(2010),
for
a
classroom
to
be
considered
inclusive,
it
is
important
that
teachers
ensure
that
all
children
are
accepted,
regardless
of
their
ability.
He
stresses
the
importance
for
teachers
to
act
professionally
to
plan,
prepare
and
initiate
ways
to
develop
a
range
of
methods
and
strategies
that
successfully
met
each
students
learning
needs.
This
experience
has
shown
me
the
importance
of
meeting
the
AITSL
standards
in
order
to
become
an
effective
teacher.
It
is
crucial
that
teachers
understand
and
know
their
students
in
order
to
initiate
ways
that
cater
for
and
acknowledge
the
different
learning
needs
and
styles
of
each
student.
This
makes
every
child
feel
as
though
they
are
part
of
the
class
regardless
of
their
ability,
allowing
them
to
succeed
at
their
own
pace.
I
believe
that
each
child
should
be
included
and
comfortable
in
their
environment
and
be
provided
with
every
opportunity
to
excel.
This
is
something
that
I
will
strive
to
achieve
as
I
grow
into
the
teacher
I
wish
to
become.