Help! Observation task for trainee teacher

[Keeprunningg]

Hi all,
I have just started training to be a teacher and don't have a huge amount of experience just yet. My placement school have actually offered me an interview tomorrow VERY last minute for a TA job they have available.
I have been given this task to prepare for observation and really need a hand with it please!
I've never had to plan my own activity before, it's usually done by the class teacher so would love some help to feel confident. I've got a rough plan!

"For the observation, we would like you to prepare a phonics input and short activity for a group of five Year 2 children who are working below age related expectation in phonics. They are part of a phonics catch up intervention. Please select your own sound digraph or trigraph."

The observation if for 20 minutes and I do usually take the phonics sessions with these children but it is a bit wild sometimes as they struggle to concentrate.

I was thinking of focusing on 'ai' digraph.
I would get the students to look at pictures I hold up of different objects with 'ai' sound in them. Such as 'tail,' 'snail', 'mail' etc. I'd then ask them what sound they all have in common and get them to repeat it. Once they all say 'ay' I'd then turn the cards round and show them that they're spelt with 'ai' to make the 'ay' sound.

I'd then show flash cards of more 'ai' words to the group for them to read.

If I hear anyone segmenting and sounding out their words I'll ask them to repeat so the group can hear. Otherwise ill read it out phonetically to them to segment.

I'd then look at getting them to segment their words themselves. So for example I'd have rain, cut out into 'R' 'ai' and 'n' and get them to put it in order to spell the word, explaining how segmenting the sounds helps them read it. I think the physical action of having the word split up may help?

Afterwards, I'd change the word and have it written in full on a piece of paper for them and ask them to segment it themselves then read it to me.

I'd then run through a few more, longer words on the board for them to read out.

Afterwards, I'd give them each a sentence to read with the 'ai' words in and then read out to me once they're ready.

I'd then ask them to think of any more words with 'ai' and ask them to see if they can spell them?

How does this sound?? X

It sounds fine to me. Is it similar to the way you teach the phonics groups already? It's best to stick to what you know, and if the school structures sessions like that, then they'll be happy that you're using their structure.

They mostly want to see your ability to connect with the children, get across the main idea and respond to misconceptions.

The only thing that looks a tiny bit out of place is the end - they've been reading all the way through and the only spelling will be of new words. Could they spell the words you've taught first, to practice segmenting, before trying new words?

What do they currently use for phonics? For example, if they use RWI, you’d be looking at Fred Talk to sound out words.

If they are working below, they might struggle to identify the common sound in a set of objects.

I would start by introducing the sound and digraph. Then have a feely bag with the objects. Ask a child to pull out an object and identify what it is, then have the group orally segment the word.

Then go onto your other activities.

You said that you have only just started your teacher training. Have you taught much phonics?

If not, then I'd recommend watching a few Read Write Inc videos. Some are just info about the scheme but some are example lessons.

I can't help with the phonics side of things but how come you're interviewing for a TA role if you're also enrolled on a teacher training course? I'm a bit confused so apologies if that's not the right interpretation of what you've said.

Hi all,
I got the job!
Contrary to the interview offer, they actually gave me a mixed ability group so it went really well xx

Congratulations!