Nate Sextus's Portfolio

What: looking at teacher- student relationships. So What: Looking to develop my relationships with senior students of the school. Particularly adapting my practice to achieve better relationship within my year 8 Social Studies classes. What now: From looking at both Mr. Renyolds-Rowe and Miss Pratts class, I saw that they both have an easy going style. There were a few instances where I would've engaged in correcting a negative behaviour, however, I saw they often dismissed it, or carried on with what they were saying. What can I do? Dismiss or not engage negative behaviour as much, rather pave forward and let them chase to get up to the rest of the class.

How do we engage students so they try, and are positive whilst at school? Above is a brainstorm a group of teachers and I came up with!

What: This week is 'Book Week. It is to promote reading. So What: This is a fantastic idea that engages the learner. Kids visualise characters and really get into novels, and story telling. Now what: Each student then goes and performs a character they have chosen from their book, followed by quiz and activities.  

What: During term 3 I am teaching Procedural Writing to my form class. I have chosen to show them an exemplar through the medium of a Crossfit workout. So What : This is my first time teaching this style of writing. I took them through the piece of writing and them got them to do the workout themselves. Now what : Having shown them the instructional piece of writing, they will now understand the practical element of this style of writing. They will now have serval opportunities to write some procedural texts before their final assessment.

2017 PDL4PCT The link above is evidence of attending my PCT course through the year. We meet termly, discussing many pressing and relevant issues that second year's encounters, including; strategies, resources, staff relationships, and meeting the Registered Teacher's Standards. 

During Term 1 the Yr 7 group went on their annual outdoors camp. This was a fantastic opportunity to bond with our students and manage learning in different environments. Students were often pushed to their limits. High ropes and flying foxes, pushed students to go into the unknown. This was a fantastic opportunity to engage students with life long lessons of over coming fears and challenges. At times I got to do the activities and show students that I to can get scared of pushed to my limits. I got to be a voice of encouragement too. Overall, it was a good experience that gave opportunities to enforce and encourage students in more social aspects of learning.

What: Over the last month, it has been time to write reports. It is part of our bi-yearly communication of reports to parents. Although not the most riveting aspect of a teacher's role, it can be insightful and a good learning opportunity. Analysing each students grades can help inform me better of where they need help.  Writing under pressure and delivering lots of writing is something I have found challenging.  So what:  This added with learning a new software system (PC Schools) added to the pressure. However, my colleagues were supportive and helped me with my phrasing, some punctuation and grammar errors, and the technical aspect of entering comments into PC Schools Now what: I can now improve on the gaps of knowledge I had in writing reports and through this experience, know better phrasing, and how to enter reports into our new system.