A Window of Opportunity Ofek Hadash

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A Window of OpportunityOfek Hadash

• Winter Conference
• Shirley Burg
• Southern Regional Supervisor
• For the teaching of English MOE

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• The diversity and differences in learners
• The professional dilemmas and challenges that
  face teachers in this change of focus
• What is small group learning?
• What are the benefits for the pupil?
• Benefits for the teacher
• Teachers Role
• Steps towards preparing a work plan
• Ideas for Activities
• Points to Observe in a Partani Lesson

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A Constant Process of Change

• The teaching focus changes from the class as a
  reference group to an individual pupil.
• Skills and activities are designed for individual
  progress.
• The learning process focuses on individual needs
  based on personality and relevance of the childs
  background.

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The diversity and differences in learners

• Pupils with learning disabilities, who have
  difficulties grasping the significance of lesson
  materials.
• Pupils who are able to grasp the content of the
  lesson but are limited in their achievement.
• Pupils who show rapid mastery of the material but
  are frequently under-stimulated.
• Advanced pupils who need enrichment.

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Ofek HadashWorking with small groups opens the
window of opportunity for pupils and teachers.
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What are the professional dilemmas and challenges
that face teachers in this change of focus?
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• Lack of homogeneity in the classroom the
  teacher has to bring everyone to the same
  educational level.
• The teacher needs to decide on where to focus the
  level of the lesson in a class of 40 pupils.
• Bridging the gap between the expected
  achievements and the standards and the actual
  achievement of individual pupils.
• External exams are ONLY used to evaluate national
  standards, and overall achievement.
• The affects of the social diversity of pupils.

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• Since English teachers usually teach more than
  one class at school, and our goal is to reach and
  touch each and every pupil an effective and
  useful plan is needed.
• On the one hand, we must provide appropriate
  and immediate answer and foundation for the weak
  pupil, and on the other hand, enrich  the
  knowledge of the advanced pupils.

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• The most important goal of the individual
  (partani) hours is to provide both teachers and 
  pupils with a chance to interact and know each
  other better.
• Its a great opportunity for a real dialogue! 

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What is small group learning?

• In small group learning the teacher develops
  individual learning plans for each pupil.
• Small group learning selects pupils according to
  specific needs-developmental or emotional
• Small group learning promotes co-operative
  learning.
• The lessons are special,
• different and in a learner-friendly
  environment.

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What are the benefits for the pupil?

• It allows the otherwise non-involved pupil to
  participate.
• It allows the pupil to feel personal success when
  completing the tasks.
• It develops self-esteem.
• It motivates the unmotivated pupil.
• It stimulates each child according to his/her
  needs and abilities.

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Benefits for the teacher

• You get to know your pupil as a person.
• You can identify the pupils strengths and
  weaknesses.
• You can build an environment of trust and
  acceptance as well as inclusion and co-operation.
• You can give immediate
• feedback and response.

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Teachers Role

• Professional and trained.
• Mentoring skills.
• The teacher as a guide/moderator.
• Coach consequential thinking.
• Have a dialogue with the pupil.

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Steps towards preparing a work plan

• Map out the classes according to a valid
  diagnostic test which examines each pupils
  proficiency in each domain.
• Divide pupils into groups or sub-groups (1-5
  pupils in each group) according to both teachers
  and pupils needs.
• Prepare a work plan for each group/topic with
  clear objectives, schedule and ways of evaluation
  and assessment.
• Evaluate and reflect after each lesson and adjust
  accordingly.
• Document the learning-teaching process.

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Ideas for Activities

• Listening
• Talking speaking
• Reading (different levels) - HOTS
• Writing
• Projects
• Tasks using computers
• Bank of activities (site)

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Points to Observe in a Partani Lesson
Translated from the official Hebrew form

• Knowledge
• Teacher has knowledge of subject matter
• Teacher is familiar with the characteristics of a
  Partani lesson
• Planning
• Teacher planned the lesson and unit of study
  based on pupils' individual needs, prior
  knowledge and their level of competence in the
  subject
• Teacher has a clear work plan based on clear
  goals and accompanied by a schedule for
  implementation

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Points to Observe in a PartaniLesson (cont.)

• Implementation
• There is an on going dialogue between teacher and
  pupil which includes cognitive, emotional and
  social aspects
• Objectives are carried out through suitable
  activities and tasks and monitored accordingly
• Teacher encourages peer dialogue and cooperative
  learning
• Relevant and effective tasks and assignments for
  each and every pupils are implemented
• Teacher develops pupils' sense of capability
• Teacher nurtures each and every pupil's
  uniqueness
• Teaching strategies develop deep understanding
  and thinking skills in the subject

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Points to Observe in a PartaniLesson (cont.)

• Teacher monitors and provides feedback according
  to the specific needs of the pupil
• Teacher provides reflective feedback close to the
  time of implementation
• Correlation between plan and implementation -
  lesson performed per plan
• General
• Planning, implementation and monitoring of
  individual pupil progress in comparison to pupil
  and desired standard
• Positive atmosphere which allows pupil self
  expression

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"WHEN A MAN DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HARBOR HE IS
MAKING FOR, NO WIND IS THERIGHT WIND." SENECA