ACTIVITY 5: Supporting Children Facing Learning Barriers ACTIVITY 6: Play-Based Grade R Activity 6.1 Enhancing Belonging in Play-Based Activity 6.2 Teacher's Role in Enhancing Belonging ACTIVITY

### ACTIVITY 5 From your observations, how did the mentor teacher support the children who experience barriers to learning during activities and lessons? ................................................................................................................................................... 1. **Differentiated Instruction**: The mentor teacher tailored activities to account for children’s varying abilities. They provided simplified instructions or alternative tasks to ensure all children could participate meaningfully. 2. **Use of Visual Aids**: Visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images were used frequently to help children better understand the concepts being presented, making the lessons more accessible. 3. **One-on-One Support**: The teacher offered one-on-one assistance, sitting with children who needed extra help to ensure they stayed on task and understood the material. 4. **Collaborative Learning**: Pairing or grouping students in such a way that they can learn from each other was another strategy. More capable peers often helped children who struggled, fostering both learning and social skills. ................................................................................................................................................... ### ACTIVITY 6 #### Activity 6.1 **Indoor or outdoor activity (1):** The activity was an **indoor** activity conducted within the classroom. **How is the classroom enhancing or hindering the learners' sense of belonging? (2):** ................................................................................................................................................... 1. **Enhancing**: The classroom layout included a circle time area where children could see each other, thus promoting a sense of community and inclusivity. Personalized storage spaces with names or images of the children also helped enhance the sense of belonging by giving them ownership of their space. 2. **Hindering**: Some areas were cluttered or overcrowded with materials, which could make some children feel overwhelmed or excluded if they have difficulty navigating such spaces. ................................................................................................................................................... **Resources the learners will use for learning (1):** ................................................................................................................................................... - The learners used **manipulatives** such as blocks, puzzles, and art supplies to engage in play-based learning activities. #### Activity 6.2 **Critically discuss what the teacher does to enhance the learners' sense of belonging in the classroom by referring to two observed/demonstrated practical examples.** ................................................................................................................................................... 1. **Inclusive Language**: The teacher frequently used inclusive language, addressing the entire class with terms such as "friends" or "team," promoting a sense of unity and belonging. 2. **Validating Contributions**: The teacher made a point to acknowledge and validate each child’s contributions during discussions, whether they were correct or needed improvement, thus affirming that every child’s thoughts were valuable. ................................................................................................................................................... **How does the teacher speak to the learners? (1):** ................................................................................................................................................... The teacher used a **warm and encouraging tone** with the learners, providing positive reinforcement and gentle guidance to create a supportive atmosphere. ### ACTIVITY 7 **Interview the teacher of the class observed for 6.1. Draft four interview questions based on what you found interesting or would like to learn more about regarding children's sense of belonging in the Grade R classroom.** ................................................................................................................................................... 1. How do you tailor your teaching methods to ensure that all children, regardless of their individual differences, feel like they belong in the classroom? 2. Can you share an example of a time when a child struggled with feeling like they belonged and how you addressed it? 3. What strategies do you use to engage parents and caregivers in fostering a sense of belonging for their children within the school environment? 4. How do you measure or assess the sense of belonging among your students, and what indicators do you look for? ................................................................................................................................................... Note that the above responses are to be customized based on the actual observations and interactions you have with the mentor teacher.