Curriculum transaction

Curriculum transaction is effective implementation of lesson plans in classrooms. A lot of thought goes in planning and preparing the lesson plans. Children will benefit only if the implementation is strong, whether it be circle time, project work, subject time or music time; a teacher's effort should be to reach out effectively to each child in the group. Lesson plans are prepared much in advance and usually there is a gap between preparation and implementation. It has always helped me as a teacher to sit down at the end of my day with the children and go through my lesson plan thoroughly for the next day. Since there is a gap between planning and implementation, depending on the needs of the group, changes could be required before implementing the plan.

Children listen to some teachers and are receptive, while the same group of children could respond differently to another teacher. This is also to do with meaningfully engaging children and stimulating their thought processes. If the theme of the week is 'Football' and a discussion has been planned with the children during circle time, I would plan and prepare according to what my focus areas would be. My discussion could revolve around different kinds of footballs and how they are made. Discussion would also be participatory and involve children. As I do not know much about footballs, I would prepare myself for the circle time and put the details of the discussion in my lesson plan.

Some of the requirements of effective curriculum transaction are:

• Planning
• Clarity of thought
• Organising
• Knowing how we will transact
• Review of the work
• Team responsibility
• Clarity of communication
• Addressing different levels of children
• Knowing, observing and understanding children at all times
• Time management
• Alertness
• Material organisation
• Room set up
• The way we reach out to the children
• Ready alternatives
• Always being watchful