EDFX207 Wiki Posts

Posting Number 1
I am very excited about undertaking 70 hours of community engagement in the
areas around my university. I have a few friends in the year ahead of me, and I
have heard nothing but good things. They spoke to me about how rewarding it
was for them, and how they grew such an attachment in such a short span of
time.
I am aiming to conduct my community engagement in the areas near ACUs
Melbourne campus, as I feel like I should develop a greater knowledge of the
community I often walk through. I feel like this will help me see the Atherton
Gardens flats as more than just buildings, but environments with families and
children inside of them.
I hope that this engagement helps my future teaching by allowing me to take
into mind that there are children everywhere, from all kinds of environments and
contexts. These environments can impact how a child views their education, and
must be taken into account when teaching.

Posting Number 2
I am undertaking two different placements, both at Sacred Heart School. The first
will be assisting the Prep teachers with their Transition to Prep program. The
second will be general teacher assistance in a grade 5/6 classroom.
With the transition group, I will be modelling positive behaviours and attitudes
towards teaching and education. Many of these children havent had a structured
life, with little being a part of a daycare or kinder environment.
In the grade 5/6 class, I will be able to provide extra support for the students, as
well as giving them more one on one time with a teacher.
I am not too concerned about anything at this stage. I am very eager to begin,
and hope to be a positive influence on these children. I want to make sure that
they have a good time in the classroom, and I want to develop positive
relationships with all different kinds of children.
[Response] Daniel Green, your hopes are very noble, and I also feel that it is
important for teachers to be prepared for all sorts of students, regardless of the
rarity of the situation. Well done!

Posting Number 3

I have really enjoyed me first few sessions. I have met many different characters,
in both the transition to prep program, as well as in the grade 5/6 classroom.
I have observed that while these children have different backgrounds and
upbringings to those I have taught, they are still children that have the capacity
to be intelligent, emotional, funny, creative, and playful.
The pre-preps have shown an eagerness to learn and become a part of the
school culture, which has been a good thing. They are excited to go over their
schedule, and like that they can read what is coming up on the board.
The grade 5/6 children, especially the boys, have enjoyed my time in the
classroom. It seems as if these children may not have had much of a male
influence in the classroom, so it is a new and exciting experience for them.
This has made me think about how I, as a male teacher, will provide new and
alternative experiences to my students.
[Response] Daniel, I shared similar experiences, where some students may need
some extra attention and a positive relationship. It's something which is
important for the classroom, and I look forward to hearing you improve your
relationship with Simon.

Posting Number 4
Things are still very positive for me in both placements. There has only been one
slight challenge, and it is not much of an issue. Some of the transition to prep
children have trouble following instruction at time, so it is necessary for us to be
as clear and patient as we can be. This isnt really an issue, but more of an
example that sometimes there will be children who require extra instruction, due
to a variety of reasons.
I have also continued to improve my relationship with the grade 5/6 students, as
well as building a rapport with the teacher in the classroom. The students turn to
me for help, and I feel like I have become a natural fixture in the classroom.
There have been a couple of emotional moments from students, and I was asked
just to spend some time with the child, let them cool off, and talk to them if they
wanted to. The students trust me more now, and it is a very rewarding feeling.
[Response] Sophie, I have also had great experiences with building positive
relationships with the students. I agree that it makes our time much more
enjoyable and rewarding, and I am looking forward to building these relationships
even more.

Posting Number 5

This picture shows a brainstorming activity where the students discussed the
meaning of the word but. The teacher felt like the word was being used far too
much in the childrens writing, so she decided to get them thinking about it.
This picture to me represents how every student can contribute to a discussion,
and that they all have different knowledge and opinions on topics.
It gave everybody a voice, and it cave everybody an audience. It was a simple
task, but it was inclusive, and I immediately saw children implementing what
they had learned.

Posting Number 6
Once again, my engagements have been highly positive and rewarding. Some of
the quieter transition to prep children have become more confident when
speaking to myself, and to other children. These children have not had much
experience in a structured environment, yet they are all behaviour exceptionally
well.
In my grade 5/6 class, Ive noticed that there are some very supportive students
who help out others in the classroom. These positive relationships radiate

through the classroom, as there hasnt been any sort of argument or

disagreement while I have been there.
This makes me think about how I want my classroom to be as a teacher. I want
my classroom to be one that is welcoming and inclusive. I want students to not
be afraid to ask questions, either to myself, or to the peers. I feel like lack of
confidence is something which greatly affects a student, and this classroom has
the supportive structures to combat this issue.

Posting Number 7
I am getting closer to my final visits in my community engagements, and it has
made me start to reflect upon my time so far.
Working in this setting has made me think about how a childs upbringing can
affect their behaviour and outlook on the world.
Since nearly all of the students families come from African or Asian countries, I
have often been asked What language do you speak? in a way that assumes
that everybody speaks a second language.
For many students, English is their second language, and many may not have
met people who have only spoken one language. This demonstrates to me that a
child builds their understanding of the world based on what they see and
experience.
The question they asked was a simple one, yet it speaks volumes about the type
of people they are.
This once again makes me remember that every child is different, and I must
work my hardest to understand and accommodate them in my classroom.
[Response] Nicole, I too have greatly developed a further appreciation and
understanding of the impact and influences that a child can have at home. They
all have their own story, and it is important that they are heard.

Posting Number 8
I have finished both of my community engagements, and I am a little upset that
it is over. These children have childhoods which are vastly different to my own,
and vastly different to the children I have taught so far.
While they have their differences, they have confirmed that there is something
universal about being a child. They are learners, they are social, they need
support, they laugh and feel emotional at times, and through all of this, they are
resilient.

There have been many highlights of my time, from children learning to

pronounce my name correctly, to excursions to high schools, to seeing shy
children come out of their shell.
I feel like the biggest highlight for me has been developing positive relationships
with all of the children, from the transition to prep children to the grade 5/6
children. These students have opened up to me about their home life and their
feelings, and its a display of trust which really affected me.
This placement has strengthened my ideas in regards to the benefits of diversity,
as well as respecting the dignity of all.