To go back to the introduction to
this series of professional development activities, click
here
Assessing your embedding of rich tasks into the curriculum:
Evaluating a theme
Undertaking the same sort of observation/reflection activity as you
did in
Activity 4.1 for individual lessons or a group of lessons is an
important part of evaluating the success of a theme or series of
linked lessons within a gven topic. In addition however, you need
to look at the group of lessons more holistically.
To do this you will need to consider:
the aims or learning objectives for this group of lessons
including:
what content you were hoping to cover
what using and applying/problem-solving skills you were hoping
to address
what connections you were hoping to make
which aims were met/not met. Try to describe why and, where
appropriate, how things might be improved. This might involve being
more realistic about your aims or thinking of other ways in which
you might approach the theme or support pupils whilst working on a
theme.
how the pupils responded over all:
did they enjoy it?
did they reach the level of working you expected?
did the work cater for their individual needs (were the support
and extension ideas and materials appropriate)?
Then update your planning documents:
How you will modify the theme in future? This might involve
removing it from your scheme of work or revising the 'what teachers
do' sheet and lesson plan.
List your recommended next steps. Include key points for
colleagues who might try the same theme themselves.