This unit comprises an on-campus component and a minimum of 5 weeks of workplace experience in a Kindergarten or Pre-primary setting.  Pre service teachers will examine the West Australian Curriculum Framework and supporting documents and how they are used in a Kindergarten or Pre-primary context.  A focus of this unit will be on developing models for guiding young children’s behaviour and of implementing appropriate classroom management strategies.  Pre service teachers will investigate a range of methods for engaging children and motivating them for learning.  Teaching, learning and assessment strategies for Kindergarten and Pre-primary are studied.  A collaborative approach to the work place experience is also a focus of this unit.

This is a Designated Unit involving a Professional Practice placement in a school/centre where students gain essential practical experience of school life. The placement provides a critical opportunity to connect theory with practice and develop the fundamental knowledge, dispositions, understandings and competencies of a beginning teacher under the guidance of experienced professionals.

A Designated Unit is defined in the University Rules: Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules as, “a unit or unit of competency which a Faculty Board has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once”.

University Rule 26 (6) states, “Where a student has failed a Designated Unit, the student shall be excluded from the course unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners, and the student’s academic progression status will be ‘excluded’ ”.

Students should refer to the Professional Practice Rules and Procedures available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac for further information regarding Professional Practice.

All students are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice periods as per the School of Education Calendar which is available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac and to give a full-time commitment to the school/centre during the scheduled days.