Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

Graduate Standard 4.2

“Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions” (AITSL, 2014).

The successful execution of a lesson activity is often determined by the extent of teacher planning and forethought. If follows, then, that a teacher’s ability organize activities is of central importance. Indeed, it directly affects one’s ability to create and sustain a learning environment that is supportive and productive (DET, 2013).

I invest considerable time and resources into the organization and planning of my lesson activities. During my time at Charles La Trobe P-12 College, I was able successfully execute several lessons per week, on account of my ability to effectively organize activities.

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For instance:

Situation:

Year 8 Humanities (History) 2016, at La Trobe P-12 College.

Task:

The objective of this task was for students to investigate (collaboratively in small groups) one significant way that the Black Death changed medieval society, and for each group to present its findings to the class in a short presentation.

Action:

In order to facilitate the successful execution of this activity:

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• Student seating was pre-arranged into five groups of four students, facing one another, and conducive to collaboration;

• Tables were clearly identified as either Team A, B, C, D or E, for student convenience;

• Appropriate projector hardware and adapters were on hand;

• Student groups were pre-arranged, in order to separate the students that were unable to work together in an effective manner, and to group the lower, moderate and higher ability groups for the purpose of scaffolding and differentiation strategies;

• The allocation of student groups, activity rules and instructions were set out in writing, and projected onto the board for clarity of understanding.

• Throughout each stage of the lesson, a ‘time-remaining’ indicator was displayed on the board, to maintain lesson pace.

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Results:

The activity was successfully executed, with all groups presenting to a satisfactory standard, and achieving the desired learning outcomes. The successful outcome of this activity (and indeed lesson) was almost entirely the product of efficient and effective organization.

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Evidence:

Powerpoint slide and lesson plan extract.