Level 6 Approaches to Curriculum

I have been asked to select and discuss ways in which my approaches to learning, children’s learning and Curriculum construction have been influenced by the knowledge, skills and understanding that I have developed throughout year three. To demonstrate this I will draw upon my two specialist areas; ‘Physical Education’ (P.E.) and Thinking Skills. I will begin by discussing the importance of the National Curriculum and how a carefully structured programme should ‘in a modern democratic society,’ provide children with the ‘fundamentals necessary for progression’ (Oates 2010:7). I will then inspect the status of my areas of expertise and their roles within the National Curriculum. During my teacher training, I have been lucky enough to visit a variety of educational institutions; I will draw upon these experiences as I discuss how my areas of expertise are being delivered within schools. Furthermore, I will discuss my attempts at teaching P.E. to children, utilising the skills and knowledge I have developed. De Bono (1970:18) states that ‘the purpose of thinking is to collect information and to make the best possible use of it’, I will discuss how I attempted to use De Bono’s lateral thinking approach in the classroom in combination with other thinking skills that I have been introduced to. Additionally I will explain how extracurricular learning can support children whilst being exposed to my areas of expertise, using my personal attempts as examples. Oates (2010:1) states that ‘many other nations are outpacing us in educational performance’, I will reflect on this statement drawing on personal experiences and further reading to support my opinions. Finally, I will summarise my thoughts and discuss that I am only beginning to progr...

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