“🤗Some year 6 children worked specifically with children on a one-to-one basis, making sure they are on task and enhancing their learning experience”🤗.
One of the things that surprised us all at Aldwyn Primary School was about 6 weeks before the summer break some year 6 students asked if they could help out in computing lessons and act as junior TA’s.
We thought this was a fantastic idea and worked out a rota whereby year 6 could work with children from year 1 to year 4 and covered lessons ranging from coding to graphic design. Using year 6 students as "junior teaching assistants" in computing lessons at Aldwyn Primary School can have several advantages for both the younger children and the year 6 students participating in this arrangement.
To start with, having year 6 students as teaching assistants can inspire and motivate the younger children to engage more actively in their learning, particularly in subjects like computing and having older students as teaching assistants can create a more approachable and less intimidating learning environment.
We felt it created a sense of community within the school and helped younger children feel more integrated into the overall school environment. Assuming the role of a teaching assistant gives year 6 students the opportunity to develop leadership skills. They learn how to guide, mentor, and support their peers effectively and they gain a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance as they help others understand challenging concepts.
Year 6 students can earn the respect and admiration of both their peers and teachers for taking on a leadership role in the classroom. I have to admit they were a great help and if I had to highlight one thing children did very well it was this…
Some year 6 children worked specifically with the some children on a one-to-one basis, making sure they are on task and enhancing their learning experience.
Here is a list of some of the advantages.
For the younger children:
- They get to learn from a peer, which can be more relatable and engaging than learning from an adult.
- They get extra support and help when they need it.
- They can build relationships with older students, which can help them feel more confident and included.
- They can learn about leadership and responsibility.
For the year 6 students:
- They get to develop their communication and teaching skills.
- They get to feel a sense of accomplishment from helping others learn.
- They can build their confidence and self-esteem.
- They can learn about different learning styles and how to best help others.
By involving year 6 students as junior teaching assistants in computing lessons, Aldwyn Primary School is fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment where students of different ages can learn from and support each other, ultimately enhancing the overall educational experience for everyone involved.
Aldwyn Primary - The Learning Zone