Preparation For Teaching and Learning

Preparation for Teaching and
Learning - Guidance for All

Primary and Special Schools
Ullmhúchán don Teagasc agus don Fhoghlaim -
Treoir do gach Bunscoil agus Scoil Speisialta
Developed by the Department of Education, the National

Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Professional
Development Services for Teachers and the National Council
for Special Education.
Preparation for Teaching and Learning - Guidance for All Primary and Special Schools / Ullmhúchán don
Teagasc agus don Fhoghlaim - Treoir do gach Bunscoil agus Scoil Speisialta
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Preparation for Teaching and Learning 4
Figure 1: Preparation for Teaching and Learning 5
Invisible Preparation and Reflection 5
Visible Preparation and Reflection 6
Recorded Preparation and Reflection 6
3. The Key Pillars of Preparation for Teaching and Learning 7
Figure 2. The Key Pillars of Preparation for Teaching and Learning 7
Knowledge of the Children and their Prior Learning 8
Knowledge of the Curriculum 8
Knowledge of Pedagogy 9
4. Preparation for Teaching and Learning in Practice 10
The Child(ren) 10
The Teacher 10
The Learning Environment 11
Recorded Preparation and Reflection 11
Questions to support teachers to reflect on their preparation for teaching and
learning: 12
5. Supporting Preparation for Teaching and Learning 13
Guidance for Teachers - 13
Learning Outcomes in the Primary Language Curriculum 16
Guidance for Teachers 16
Guidance for Teachers 19
6. Further Supports 20
Appendix 1: Curriculum Provision from Birth to 18 years 21
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1. Introduction
The Primary Language Curriculum/Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile (PLC/CTB)
for stages 1 – 4 (junior infants to sixth class) was published in September 2019,
making it the first fully developed curriculum to be introduced since the Primary
School Curriculum in 1999. During times of curriculum change, everyone within
an education system is learning collectively and needs support in enacting the
proposed change. Opportunities to reflect on established routines and practices
are also presented during these times, enabling us to consider how these might
be adjusted to further support teaching and learning. The introduction of the
PLC/CTB is an example of such change and has been supported in schools by
teachers, school leaders, support service advisors and inspectors nationwide.
As with all change, it is inevitable that both challenges and opportunities emerge
as it is enacted in schools. One such challenge that teachers are responding to
is preparing to teach using two different styles of curriculum, a content
objectives-based Primary School Curriculum (1999) and a learning outcomes-
based PLC/CTB (2019). It is also worth noting that all future primary curriculum
developments will feature learning outcomes. This document is intended to
provide guidance to teachers and school leaders in all school contexts, by
describing a renewed understanding of ‘preparation for teaching and learning’ for
both the Primary School Curriculum (1999) and the PLC/CTB (2019). In the
special school context, the intended learning for children should be drawn from
an age-appropriate primary or post-primary curriculum to ensure children have
access to, participate in and benefit from an education that is inclusive and
appropriate to their abilities and needs. For teachers of children at post-primary
level in a special school, aspects of the Primary School Curriculum (1999) and
Primary Language Curriculum (2019) may be used to inform and support
preparation for continuity of teaching and learning using rich and authentic
learning experiences.
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2. Preparation for Teaching and Learning

Circular Letter 0045/2019 supporting the introduction of the PLC/CTB contains
important messages regarding the curriculum. It introduces the language of
‘preparation for teaching and learning’ rather than the more conventional
language of ‘planning for teaching’. The following guidance outlines a renewed
understanding of preparation for teaching and learning, which is aligned with the
Looking at our Schools – A Quality Framework for Primary Schools (2016).
Preparation for teaching and learning is best understood as an ongoing process

which evolves as we continuously learn new information about the children, their
needs, their interests and their abilities. In this way, all preparation for teaching
and learning should be understood as being ongoing and evolving. Preparation
for teaching and learning involves invisible, visible and recorded preparation
which can take place at the same time as well as before, during and after
teaching and learning (Figure1). All three are complementary and necessary to
support the provision of appropriate learning experiences for all children. While
invisible and visible preparation may not be recorded, it is important to
acknowledge that all three components are equally valued.
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FIGURE 1: PREPARATION FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
Invisible Preparation and Reflection

Invisible preparation is continuous and unrecorded; whereby teachers draw on
their experience, their knowledge of the children, the learning culture in their
setting as well as their beliefs about teaching and learning in making decisions
about their practice. This ongoing reflection about children's learning and
development often takes place intuitively before, during and after the learning
takes place. This often occurs through collaboration with colleagues and others
including the children, their parents and other relevant professionals or outside
agencies. Invisible preparation involves purposeful engagement with the
curriculum and its supports to ensure high quality learning experiences are
provided for the children.
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Visible Preparation and Reflection

Visible preparation is teaching and learning in action. It involves the provision of
appropriate learning experiences to support the intended learning of all children.
These learning experiences, informed by the curriculum, are adapted to support
the needs, interests and abilities of all children. Visible preparation considers a
learning environment where playful and engaging experiences can take place
and where meaningful interactions are facilitated. It also considers the use of
appropriate resources to support the intended learning for the children. Teaching
and learning in action is fluid and flexible and teachers often embrace
unexpected and emerging learning opportunities that arise.
Recorded Preparation and Reflection

Recorded preparation is any documentation which supports teachers’ ongoing
practice and reflection. This documentation can include short-term and long-
term documentation, student support plans/IEPs, assessment data, cuntas
míosúil, end of year reports, personal notes, documentation from other
professionals and outside agencies, etc.
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3. The Key Pillars of Preparation for

Teaching and Learning
Teachers are recognised as committed, skilled and agentic professionals.
Teachers make key decisions every day about teaching and learning in their
school, including decisions about what children learn, the sequence in which
they learn, the pace at which they learn, and the activities and experiences
through which they learn. These decisions are shaped by key pillars which, as
figure 2 below illustrates, include: the teacher’s knowledge of the children and
their prior learning; their knowledge of the curriculum; and their knowledge
of pedagogy. Decisions are also underpinned by high- quality assessment
practice which is used to inform teaching and learning.
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FIGURE 2. THE KEY PILLARS OF PREPARATION FOR
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The key pillars are interlinked and jointly support all aspects of teachers’
preparation - invisible, visible and recorded - as well as the learning environment
and school culture.
Knowledge of the Children and their Prior Learning

Knowledge of the children includes both the children as learners and the children
as members of a family and community, and can be deepened through
observation, information gathering and assessment. Information can be gathered
from a variety of sources, including:
• the child
• the child’s parents / guardians
• the child’s previous and current teacher(s), special education teacher and
special needs assistants
• other professionals and outside agencies
• documentation such as student support plans/IEPs, school progress
reports, Mo Scéal documents, assessment records, reports from outside
agencies, etc.
These sources of information become an integral part of preparation for teaching

and learning when they support decision making around the next steps for
children’s learning.
Knowledge of the Curriculum

Taking time to read and to become familiar with the curriculum, either on one’s
own or in collaboration with colleagues or advisory support services, is an
important step in a teacher’s preparation for teaching and learning. Knowledge of
the curriculum includes a knowledge of the underpinning rationale and aims
and the approaches to teaching and learning supported by the curriculum. It
also includes knowledge of the rationale and focus of each Learning Outcome,
as well as the links that can be made across elements and strands or indeed
across other curriculum areas. As all teachers become familiar with the
curriculum, they also become aware of how to access support, through the
curriculum website (www.curriculumonline.ie, www.ncca.ie) or from support
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services (www.pdst.ie and www.ncse.ie). As familiarisation deepens with

increased engagement, teachers internalise this knowledge and develop an
understanding of the curriculum through experience and reflection. In effect,
this means that as all teachers uncover the curriculum, they come to interpret
its Learning Outcomes in ways appropriate to their school contexts and the
needs of their children.
Knowledge of Pedagogy
Pedagogy shapes teachers’ actions, words and judgements. It is not static; it
evolves and is deepened through reflection on practice, conversations with
colleagues, and continuous professional development. An understanding of
pedagogical approaches is important in choosing, with the child(ren) where
possible, appropriate and engaging learning experiences. Teachers’ knowledge
of content is also an important factor in developing meaningful and engaging
learning experiences. This knowledge of the content being taught supports
teachers to make decisions about what children learn, the sequence in which
they learn and the pace at which they learn. By making professional decisions
based on a sound knowledge of pedagogy, of content and taking account of the
interests, curiosities and prior learning of the children, teachers exercise their
agency and efficacy.
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4. Preparation for Teaching and Learning in

Practice
The concept of preparation for teaching and learning requires a new way to
consider how all teachers demonstrate their preparation during the school
year and at moments of inspection. Preparation for Teaching and Learning may
be demonstrated through four sources of evidence.
The Child(ren)
The children and their learning provide insights into a teacher’s preparation.
Interaction with children can indicate the degree to which the learning
experiences have been shaped by children’s’ prior knowledge and learning,
interests and curiosities. Supporting children to describe or demonstrate/show
their learning and progression provides insight into the culture of the learning
environment and the interactions between teacher and child, as well as the use
of a range of assessment methods including peer and self-assessment. As
appropriate for their age and development, children can describe or demonstrate
their learning and progression, the learning experiences which they have
enjoyed and learned most from, as well as considering the next steps in their
learning.
The Teacher
A teacher engaged in preparation for teaching and learning demonstrates their
knowledge of the child(ren), the curriculum and pedagogy. The teacher can
explain and elaborate on their professional decisions related to the learning of
the children. Teachers may describe why they have chosen specific learning
experiences, which are shaped by the strengths, needs, interests and
individuality of the child(ren) with whom they work. The teacher can also identify
and describe the aims and rationale of the curriculum, the focus of learning at a
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point in time and how children will demonstrate their new learning. They may
also describe the potential next steps in the children’s learning and how these
may be supported.
The Learning Environment

The cultural and physical context in which learning occurs provide insight into the
nature of teaching and learning. Interactions between adult and child(ren),
structures and routines, as well as beliefs and values associated with teaching
and learning are important hallmarks of an effective learning environment.
Quality teacher-child and child-child interactions during which ideas,
thoughts, views and opinions of all children are actively listened to and valued,
foster positive relationships. High expectations are also an important feature of
an effective learning environment. Such expectations can be supported by giving
time to the development of agreed standards, procedures, processes and
routines supporting the learning needs of all children. Providing opportunities for
children to take responsibility for and ownership of their learning, where
appropriate, and to share their reflections on their progress can be an indication
of effective preparation. Alignment between the physical layout of the setting, the
needs of all child(ren) and the pedagogical approaches intended to support
learning is also an important dimension. The availability and visibility of learning
resources linking with and emerging from samples of children’s work can provide
insight into thoughtful preparation.
Recorded Preparation and Reflection

When considered in a broad understanding of preparation for teaching and
learning, recorded preparation is a necessary aspect which is complementary to
the processes of invisible and visible preparation. Recorded preparation is first
and foremost for the teacher, and therefore should be useful, purposeful and
practical. While naturally displaying similarities with the work of colleagues, a
teacher’s recorded preparation is personal and bespoke. Recorded preparation
refers directly to the curriculum, identifying selected Learning Outcomes which
are guiding preparation. It should provide clarity on the focus of learning for
children during a series of learning experiences. The teacher draws on the
pillars of preparation for teaching and learning to refine and record the focus of
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learning, the learning experiences that will be provided, and how this learning
will be demonstrated by the children. All recorded preparation, signaling the
broad direction and focus of learning for the children, needs to be
understood as tentative and dynamic. It does not need to overelaborate on what
may occur in the learning environment. Recorded preparation evolves in
response to emerging opportunities and needs of the children. It may include
teacher’s annotations and amendments, as appropriate. Recorded preparation
and reflection is a work in progress, which is practical and purposeful, evolving
as learning progresses. In the special school context, recorded preparation
should refer to the age-appropriate primary or post-primary curriculum (see
appendix 1) that supports the abilities and needs of the children.
Questions to support teachers to reflect on their

preparation for teaching and learning:
1. How do I gather and use information about the child(ren), their prior
learning, progression to date, needs, interests and curiosities?
2. Are the preparatory activities I undertake useful, purposeful and practical
supports for teaching and learning?
3. How have the teaching approaches I employ been chosen or adapted to
meet the needs, interests and abilities of all children?
4. How does my preparation allow me to respond flexibly to unexpected and
emerging learning opportunities which may arise?
5. How does my recorded preparation identify the specific learning taking
place, the learning experiences supporting the learning and how all
children in my context will demonstrate this learning?
6. How does the physical layout of the learning environment support the
needs, interests and abilities of all children, as well as appropriate
learning experiences?
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Preparation for Teaching and Learning - Guidance for All Primary and Special Schools / Ullmhúchán don Teagasc agus don Fhoghlaim - Treoir do gach Bunscoil agus Scoil
Speisialta
5. Supporting Preparation for Teaching and Learning

The following guidance is intended to support teachers’ recorded preparation across both the Primary School Curriculum (1999) and
the PLC/CTB (2019).
Guidance for Teachers -

Recorded Preparation to Support Teaching & Learning across all Curricula
What may be helpful to consider What may be helpful to avoid

1. Remember, first and foremost, that documentation should be 1. Avoid viewing your recorded preparation as the only aspect of
a guide for you as the teacher. It should be a practical and preparation for teaching and learning. Your invisible and visible
useful support, which is one aspect of preparation for teaching preparation are of equal value to your recorded preparation.
and learning. Consider your documentation as evolving before,
during and after teaching and in line with the children’s learning.
If you find it helpful, add notes, amendments and annotations to
your documentation to support your preparation for teaching
and learning.
2. A whole school approach can agree on the common 2. Avoid using generic templates which include features which do
features to be included in documentation. These features can not meaningfully support your preparation for teaching and
be recorded in a way that is practical and useful to support your learning. While all teachers may include common features in
preparation. The detail contained in documentation may vary their preparation, they may be presented or recorded in a way
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Speisialta
from teacher to teacher, depending on their individual which is most accessible for you.
preference, their professional judgement and the context in
which they are teaching.
Recorded Preparation - Long Term
1. Be flexible with your long term preparation. It may need to be 1. It is not necessary to have your long term preparation completed
amended as you learn more about the children in your context before the beginning of the school year as it is an evolving
or as unexpected learning opportunities arise. Allow sufficient document. Avoid writing overly-detailed plans for the year ahead
time before completing your recorded long term preparation, so which may limit your flexibility to respond to the children's needs,
that it meaningfully reflects the learning strengths and needs of interests and abilities. Avoid rigidly ‘sticking to the plan’, as the
all children in your context. document may be amended or adjusted as the year progresses.
Recorded Preparation - Short Term
1. Through your knowledge of the children and their prior learning, 1. Avoid relying on a narrow set of assessment practices, such as an
and with reference to the curriculum, identify the focus of new over- reliance on teacher-designed tests, to identify children's
learning. Identify the learning experiences chosen to support progress. Consider using a range of assessment practices
all children in progressing this learning. Identify the ways in ranging from child-led to teacher-led.
which their progress will be assessed and monitored. This may
include the use of peer- and self-assessment. Consider how you
will know if the focus of new learning has progressed and how
this is reflected in your Cuntas Míosúil.
2. Keep your recorded preparation concise. The length of a 2. Avoid spending excessive time writing detailed descriptions of
document is not an indication of its quality. The detail within activities.
recorded preparation may vary from teacher to teacher, and the
approach taken should support teachers to embrace unexpected
and emerging learning opportunities that arise.
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Speisialta
Cuntas Míosúil
1. Ensure that your Cuntas Míosúil records the new learning that 1. Avoid unnecessary detail, a lengthy account of content taught is
the children have progressed over the month, and the not necessarily an indicator of effectiveness. Consider your
learning experiences used to support their progress. Where Cuntas Míosúil as a record of the children’s learning which can be
short-term documentation has clearly outlined the new learning used to support continuity and progression in their learning.
and the learning experiences, it may also be used for the purpose
of your Cuntas Míosúil.
2. If you find it helpful, include a brief reflection in your Cuntas
Míosúil where you have the option to comment on teaching and
learning over the course of the month.
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Speisialta
Learning Outcomes in the Primary Language Curriculum

Learning Outcomes describe the expected learning and development for children at the end of a period of time. Learning Outcomes
focus on learning as an enabling process that helps children in their development of concepts, skills and dispositions. Teachers
support children in the achievement of Learning Outcomes by providing learning experiences related to aspects of the Learning
Outcome/s and which are best suited to the needs of all children. Learning Outcomes recognise that all children learn and all teachers
teach in a variety of contexts and that the teaching/learning journeys will be different in these contexts.
The following guidance is intended to support teachers’ preparation for teaching and learning when working with the PLC/CTB (2019).
Guidance for Teachers

Working with Learning Outcomes
What may be helpful to consider What may be helpful to avoid
1. Consider the interests, needs, and abilities of all children when 1. When working with the Learning Outcomes, avoid rigidly following
selecting the most appropriate Learning Outcome(s) in your a generic scheme of work, as this does not take into account the
context. Using your knowledge of the children and their prior interests, needs, and abilities of the child(ren) in your context.
learning, prioritise the Learning Outcomes which will best Avoid assuming that children have developed certain aspects of
support the next steps in their learning. Learning experiences Learning Outcomes because they have reached a certain age
should be created and adapted to support all children in their and/or stage of development.
learning. Where possible, engage with colleagues, parents, outside
agencies and the children themselves to gain knowledge of their
prior learning, as well as their interests, needs and abilities. This
also supports continuity and progression in children’s’ learning.
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Speisialta
2. Keep in mind that Learning Outcomes outline expected 2. Do not expect to ‘cover’ or ‘complete’ Learning Outcomes in a
learning and development over a two or four year period. short space of time, as they are intended to be developed over a
As the Learning Outcomes are broad in nature, you may use longer period through a combination of explicit teaching and
your professional judgement to identify aspect(s) of the classroom culture.
Learning Outcomes you wish to develop through appropriate
learning experiences. This should be considered as the ‘focus
of new learning’ for the child(ren).
3. When recording short term preparation consider all children 3. Avoid addressing too many Learning Outcomes at the same time.
when identifying the focus of the new learning. Use the There is no specified number of Learning Outcomes to be
Learning Outcome and, if helpful, the Progression Continua, identified in your short term preparation. As Learning Outcomes
to help you identify what the focus of new learning will be. outline expected learning over a two or four year period, it may
Use your professional judgement to decide what is not be helpful to quote the full text from a Learning Outcome in
appropriate when preparing for teaching and learning and to your short term documentation. It may be more practical to record
support the progress of all children in your context. Depending the focus of new learning in your own words. Avoid recording
on your context, it may be necessary and helpful to record the every Learning Outcome that may be developed incidentally, or
focus of new learning for an individual child. However, there is over longer periods of time in your short term documentation.
no requirement to record this information for every child in a Focus on recording the new learning for child(ren).
mainstream class
4. Learning Outcomes are a combination of concepts, skills and 4. Avoid only valuing aspects of the Learning Outcomes which are
dispositions, aspects of which can be achieved over shorter developed in the short-term. Consider how classroom routines,
or longer periods of time. For instance, fostering a disposition classroom culture and longer term interventions and practices
of ‘pleasure and interest’ towards reading (PLC, Reading support the development of Learning Outcomes over longer
strand, Learning Outcome 2: Motivation and Choice) may take a periods.
longer time to develop than the ability to ‘identify words with
similar sounds but different meaning’ (PLC, Reading strand,
Learning Outcome 6: Vocabulary). Rich learning experiences
can support children’s learning across a combination of
Learning Outcomes.
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Speisialta
5. When recording long term preparation, consider outlining the 5. When recording long term preparation, avoid specifying when
Learning Outcomes in broad terms for the intended time and how long to spend developing Learning Outcomes, such
frame (term or year) ahead, including: decisions should be informed by ongoing assessment and
a. the range of learning experiences therefore cannot be made too far in advance.
b. the range of assessment practices
c. the integration of the learning with other curricular
areas, whole- school practices/events
d. how the classroom routines, classroom culture and
longer term interventions and practices support the
intended learning.
While you will prioritise particular Learning Outcomes based on the

needs, interests and abilities of the children, ensure that children
have the opportunity to engage with the learning described in all the
Learning Outcomes across the curriculum.
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Speisialta
Guidance for Teachers

Using the Primary Language Toolkit to Support Preparation for Teaching and Learning
https://curriculumonline.ie/Primary/Curriculum-Areas/Primary-Language/Primary-Language-Toolkit/?lang=en-ie
1. The Examples of Children’s Language Learning give insights 1. Avoid seeing the Examples as ‘best practice’, as they have been
into how teachers work with Learning Outcomes to make developed to support teachers in reflecting on your own practice
decisions about what they teach, the types of activities, for the children in your context.
experiences and pedagogies they use, and the information they
gather on how well children are progressing in their language
learning.
2. The Progression Continua are designed to be a tool to 2. If you are using the Progression Continua, avoid viewing it in a
support teaching and learning. They describe aspects of the linear manner. While the Progression Continua charts a potential
Learning Outcomes in more detail and can be used to gain a learning journey, remember that not every child will follow the
further understanding of what is described in a Learning same sequence. The Progression Continua should not be viewed
Outcome. You may use the Progression Continua as a fluid and as a mandatory part of any recorded preparation. If you are
flexible resource to inform and support your teaching and to using the Progression Continua, avoid copying progression
help identify the potential focus for new learning. steps directly into your recorded preparation, as it may be more
practical to express the new learning in your own words.
Avoid labelling individual children according to the continua.
3. The Support Materials for teachers present a range of 3. Avoid trying to use every approach outlined in the Support
teaching strategies and methodologies to help children in Materials available, as teachers should use their professional
their language learning and are illustrated with videos and judgement in deciding on the best approaches to language
photos. learning for the children in their contexts.
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Speisialta
6. Further Supports
Further supports can be found at:
• The Curriculum Preparation pages on the NCCA’s website; https://ncca.ie/en/primary/preparation/

• The Primary Language Toolkit which supports preparation through the Examples of children’s learning, Progression Continua
and Support Materials for teachers; https://curriculumonline.ie/Primary/Curriculum-Areas/Primary-Language/Primary-
Language-Toolkit/?lang=en-ie
• The updated Primary Planning Tool; https://nccaplanning.ie/
• Through sustained school support provided by PDST and NCSE
• The PDST Primary Language Curriculum/Curaclam Teanga na Bunscoile webinars
• The PDST Literacy webpages; https://www.pdst.ie/primary/literacy/webinars
• The NSCE Primary Language Curriculum webpage; https://www.sess.ie/resources/curricular/primary-language-curriculum
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Preparation for Teaching and Learning - Guidance for All Primary and Special Schools / Ullmhúchán don Teagasc agus don Fhoghlaim - Treoir do gach
Bunscoil agus Scoil Speisialta
Appendix 1: Curriculum Provision from Birth to 18 years
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Preparation for Teaching and

Learning - Guidance for All

Developed by the Department of Education, the National

2. Preparation for Teaching and Learning

Preparation for teaching and learning is best understood as an ongoing process

FIGURE 1: PREPARATION FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

Invisible Preparation and Reflection

Visible Preparation and Reflection

Recorded Preparation and Reflection

3. The Key Pillars of Preparation for

Knowledge of the Children and their Prior Learning

These sources of information become an integral part of preparation for teaching

Knowledge of the Curriculum

services (www.pdst.ie and www.ncse.ie). As familiarisation deepens with

4. Preparation for Teaching and Learning in

The Learning Environment

Recorded Preparation and Reflection

Questions to support teachers to reflect on their

5. Supporting Preparation for Teaching and Learning

Guidance for Teachers -

What may be helpful to consider What may be helpful to avoid

Learning Outcomes in the Primary Language Curriculum

Guidance for Teachers

While you will prioritise particular Learning Outcomes based on the

Guidance for Teachers

Further supports can be found at:

• The Curriculum Preparation pages on the NCCA’s website; https://ncca.ie/en/primary/preparation/

Appendix 1: Curriculum Provision from Birth to 18 years

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