I have been asked to select and discuss the ways in which my approaches to learning, children's learning and curriculum construction have been influenced by knowledge, skills and from the understanding I developed during the third year. To demonstrate this I will draw on my two specialist areas; "Physical education" (PE) and thinking skills. I will begin by discussing the importance of the national curriculum and how a carefully structured program should provide children with the 'necessary foundations for progression' (Oates 2010:7). I will then review the status of my areas of expertise and their roles within the national curriculum. During my teacher training, I was fortunate enough to visit several educational institutions; I will draw from these experiences as I discuss how my areas of expertise are delivered within schools. Additionally, I will discuss my attempts to teach physical education to children, using the skills and knowledge I have developed. De Bono (1970:18) states that "the purpose of thinking is to gather information and make the best possible use of it", I will discuss how I have attempted to use De Bono's lateral thinking approach in the classroom in combination with other thinking skills that were introduced to me. I will also explain how extracurricular learning can support children while they are exposed to my areas of expertise, using my own personal attempts as examples. Oates (2010:1) states that "many other nations are surpassing us in educational performance", I will reflect on this statement drawing on personal experiences and further reading to support my views. Finally, I'll summarize my thoughts and discuss the fact that I'm just starting to progress......halfway through the paper......Rational Learning. London: Routledge Falmer.Gillies, R.M., Ashman, A. & Terwel, J (2008) The role of teachers in implementing cooperative learning in the classroom. Lausanne: Springer.Oates (2010) Could Do Better: Using international comparisons to refine the Natioanl Curriculum in England, London: Cambridge Assessment.OFSTED (2002) The Curriculum in Successful Primary Schools, London: Crown.Penny, D., Clarke, G., Quill, M. & Kinchin, G. D (2005) Sport education in physical education. London: Routledge.Shaw, R (2008) Philosophy in the classroom. New York: Routledge.Tapin, L (2011) Physical Education Matters, sl: Association for Physical Education.Vansieleghem, N. & Kennedy, D (2012) Philosophy for Children in Transition Issues and Prospects. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.Education Act 1944, Section 35Worley, P (2011) The if Machine. London: continuum