Journal Reflections by Sydney Smith https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy EDTE187 Student Teaching Seminar: Beginning the Process & EDTE188 Student Teaching I: The In-house Experience en-us 2021-07-12 01:58:45 UTC 2026-02-26 07:50:00 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4d6.png ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645080342 2021-07-12 02:11:56 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645080342 For this course, I was really excited to commence. Two things that I enjoyed about today’s session are: firstly, the opportunity the educator allowed for students to introduce themselves. Beginning a new course, in a new semester, I believe certain persons may be too timid to wilfully mention or say anything in class, so miss giving the class a chance to speak and introduce themselves gave persons the opportunity to warm up to everyone and break out from the timidness. The second thing I liked about today’s class was the group activity we did in our break out rooms. After we chose members for each group, miss allowed us to go in breakout rooms, where we were assigned the task of selecting an animal and obtaining three characteristics of that animal that we would like to emulate. Once this was completed, we had to come up with a creative method to present this information to the class. Personally, I found this allowed the group members to communicate, become familiar with each other and work together efficiently to get the job done. The procedure of today’s session was very productive and engaging. Everything went smoothly and I do not hope anything would have gone differently. Two things that I am looking forward to in this class for the semester are: firstly, to have more class activities and discussions to allow each student to be interactive and secondly, I am looking forward to attaining methods, strategies and information pertaining to student teaching because this will allow me, as a teacher to be diverse and effective in my teaching style, catering to the needs of my students. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645083202 2021-07-12 02:13:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645083202 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645088404 2021-07-12 02:14:57 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645088404 Today’s session was very informative and inspiring. Based on a video that was viewed in class, I learnt to be an effective teacher, I must be willing to think outside the box to ensure that not only my students’ academic needs are met but also holistically, observing who they are as individuals. I learnt that patience and understanding is key and as a teacher, I need to observe the potential in my students and be that mentor that guides them along their journey to becoming a better version of themselves. I need to believe in my students and provide them with the necessary guidance and support. Pertaining to classroom management, I learnt that once I possess the capability to identify and tailor my students’ problems, then I will be able to have a more controlled classroom and I will also have the ability to connect with my students more and form a deeper teacher-student relationship. The entire class session went well for me. In particular, I enjoyed the aspects where I was able to not only share my perspective on certain matters, but I was also able to learn from my classmates and obtain views that I myself did not think about, which enhanced my learning capability. Everything that took place within the class contributed aided my overall development as a teacher, hence I would say nothing should have gone differently. As a teacher, I would implement techniques in my classroom that will promote both independent learning and group cohesion. I would create an environment for my students to feel comfortable being themselves, but they will also comprehend boundaries that will facilitate classroom management. I would incorporate activities where my students will have opportunities to freely express themselves as individuals that will motivate their overall growth and development holistically and academically. For the Classroom Management Profile activity, my scores were as follows; six (6) for Authoritarian Style, thirteen (13) for Authoritative Style, ten (10) in Laissez-faire Style and five (5) for Indifferent Style. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645089951 2021-07-12 02:15:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645089951 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645092421 2021-07-12 02:16:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645092421 In today’s session, what I learned that will aid in my development as a teacher is that I must present information to my future students in a way that affects their cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. Each domain contributes to an aspect that allows students to effectively connect with the material that the educator has presented to them. As a prospective teacher, I believe it is crucial for me to take into consideration these three domains so I can be successful in connecting with my students both emotionally and academically. I also learnt a technique from my lecturer that I plan to implement in my own classroom. She mentioned that when she is teaching, she prefers to walk through the classroom, instead of sitting down at the desk. This is a helpful strategy because it allows the teacher to have more control of the class and maintain classroom management, as well as the lecturer also stated, “when you get closer to the students, they are less likely to misbehave if you are standing right there”. The entire class session went well, in particularly the inspirational video which was played at the beginning of the class session. This form of positivity set the tone for the rest of the session and I found it quite uplifting. With the structure of the session, which was evidenced by the preparation put in place for today’s class, everything went well and I would not change anything about it. Only thing I would make a slight adjustment to the designated time given for group break out room discussions. The time allotted is often insufficient to discuss all aspects of the given assignment or questions. As mentioned previously, to commence the session, the lecturer played an inspirational video. In that video, the speaker mentioned that, this generation of children can go to another level when we live a life of Service, making Solutions and of Sacrifice”, and he also mentioned a particular aspect on next level teaching. To me, next level teaching refers to educators that are not traditional or conventional, they do not do things by the book. They go beyond that. Next level teaching are educators that think outside the box, teachers that go the extra mile and sacrifice themselves to be there emotionally and academically for their students. They see the potential in their students when the students themselves cannot see it. Next-level teaching are those teachers are that set aside their personal issues to always be there for their students and giving them their best to ensure they succeed and always have their support no matter what. Next level teaching revolves around those teachers that “live a life of service, making solutions and live a life of solutions”. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645093114 2021-07-12 02:16:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645093114 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645099158 2021-07-12 02:19:06 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645099158 In today’s session, what I learnt today that will aid in my development as a teacher, is what was mentioned at the beginning of class during the inspirational video. The speaker said “To change the world, you need to know about it”. This statement affected mean in a positive way, because as a prospective teacher, I am still learning techniques, attaining information to improve my practice and enhance my skills as a primary school teacher. That statement reminded me that I do not want to be any ordinary or traditional teacher. I want to impact my students in a positive aspect which will be reflected or mirrored in the world. I want my future students to leave my classroom knowing their capabilities and never giving up on themselves or doubting what they can accomplish in life. Once I have achieved this goal, then I know I will make a change in the world by allowing the young leaders of this world to witness their own potential and take charge of their own opportunities. For today’s session, we had five presentations which went very well and made the class more enjoyable. Each group focused on different aspects that touched on effective teaching and they presented in creative ways which I enjoyed. Overall, the entire class session went very well and I obtained a lot of useful information that I could incorporate in my teaching style to enhance my skills and be more effective in the classroom. Each aspect of the session expanded my knowledge and allowed me to look at things in a different perspective, hence I would say nothing should have been done differently. Today I’m teaching the world positivity. To know that there is hope in everything we do and that it just takes consistency and dedication. Although I’m currently not teaching yet, I also want my future students to experience positivity in my classroom. As stated previously, I want them to know that they are more than capable of achieving their goals and aspirations. And if I can impact my students in a positive way, then I have impacted the world through my positive teaching. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645100178 2021-07-12 02:19:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645100178 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645105465 2021-07-12 02:21:30 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645105465 In today’s class session, what I learned today that will aid in my development as a teacher is how to be SMART when developing objectives for my future students. Miss elaborated that this acronym means to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound. Prior to this session, I did not consider these aspects when creating lesson objectives. In addition, Miss also stated that when writing objectives, we ought to consider 4 things, which are: 1) the Audience, identified as our students, 2) Behaviour which is observable, 3) Condition which the action is to be performed and 4) the Degree which basically provides the criteria we are using to measure. Another aspect which I found rather useful and important in my development as a teacher, is the particular aspect where Miss mentioned the teacher is the tour guide, the students are the tourists, objectives are our road signs and the lesson plan is the map, which all symbolize our journey as educators. From my personal opinion, this allowed me to view teaching in another perspective which I never considered or realized before. Attaining this crucial information will surely assist me when teaching my future students and drafting effective objectives. The entire class session went well. Each aspect of the session enhanced the learning experience for me and it was rather enjoyable. Beginning with the motivational video to the breakout room activity, each part had its own relevance and importance in providing me with necessary information required to be an amazing and effective teacher. I would not change or have done anything differently. As I reflect on the teacher that inspired me when I was in secondary school, I observe the impact she has had on my desire to enter the teaching profession. She was a teacher that took time to learn her students, always there to provide emotional or academic assistance where applicable, was a mentor in the time of need and always had patience with students that were not as intelligently inclined as other students. Looking back, each day I would sit in her classroom, I aspired to be just like her. She motivated me and supported me unlike some of the other teachers I encountered. When I become a teacher one day, I want to be a teacher like her, or even better. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645106218 2021-07-12 02:21:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645106218 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645107721 2021-07-12 02:22:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645107721 For today’s session, I acquired a great deal of information that would assuredly aid in my development as a teacher. As Miss presented, I learnt about the six (6) steps of Direct Instruction and guidelines that should be incorporated to have an effective lesson where students connected with the material presented. In the first step, known as the ‘Introduction/Review’, I learnt it is important to establish a Routine, Capture students’ attention, Activate their prior knowledge and demonstrate Expectations. In the second step, ‘Present the new material’, I learnt that as educators, we need to use clear and guided instructions, lesson content should be carefully organized step by step and we should either incorporate the lecture method or demonstration method when teaching. In the third step, ‘Guided Practice’, it was mentioned that a crucial aspect in this level is working alongside students and asking good questions like ‘Why?’. Step four, I attained information in association with providing students with feedback and correctives. In this step I learnt the four types of student responses to questions and actions recommended for the teacher to utilize. Within Step five, ‘Independent Practice’, I learnt that this is the step where students are ready to Apply and Integrate the material they learnt on their own. The final and sixth step, which is, ‘Evaluation/Review’, I learnt this is where the educator checks to see if students know and understand everything before moving on to a new concept. All the information mentioned in this session provided me with effective tips and guidelines to implement in my teaching sessions to ensure learning and comprehension has taken place for my students. This session was very interactive and enjoyable as I was able to hear the various perspectives and responses from my classmates that contributed to my overall comprehension of the six steps of Direct Instruction. From my personal point of view, the only thing that I thought could have been done differently was the allocation of time for the breakout room activity, but overall everything else was informative and pleasurable. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645108669 2021-07-12 02:22:44 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645108669 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645119138 2021-07-12 02:26:43 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645119138 In today’s session, what I learnt that will aid in my overall development as a teacher are the various engaging direct instruction techniques that can assist in student comprehension and enhance the learning process. Acquiring knowledge of these techniques/examples that were mostly online/digital software, that I was not aware of prior, sparked my interest and inspired me to one day, incorporate these methods into my classroom. In modern society, technology is being utilized daily, in various aspects such as: educational learning, lectures/presentations, in the workplace for office productivity, for communication purposes, internet for research, leisure (television watching) and domestic (machines for washing and dryers for drying clothes) purposes. Hence, incorporating technology into the classroom will allow students to become familiarized with new platforms and adjust to a new method of teaching, that facilitates technology. The class session was very informative and interactive, I would not change anything about it. Each aspect contributed to my overall comprehension of the material being presented or discussed. It was particularly enjoyable and helpful, when the lecture demonstrated the usage of some of the examples presented, by allowing the students in the class to actually take part in using the different technologies mentioned. Based on today’s session, I will implement various digital tools such as Mentimeter and Math-Arithmetic in my own class because these platforms can assist in knowledge retention, as well as provide an innovative and engaging alternative to obtain information and participate in online, educational activities. With this method, students can also explore the different content areas, engage in collaborative work with their peers and attain digital feedback and responses from within the software. This essentially covers a wide array of benefits not only to the students, but to the teacher as well. In addition, the results of these online activities can easily be shared with parents to view child’s progress, and teacher can keep online records that can be easily accessed at a later date for student updates or grade books. At the beginning of the session, when the lecturer played the inspirational video, that took the form of a song, my favourite line was “I can change the world for better, I can change the world for worse So I choose to be a teacher & a blessing, not a curse”. This particular lyric stood out to me because it provided motivation for me that I could one day change the world for the better, instil positivity, hope and reassurance as a teacher by being a blessing onto those I interact with (students, parents, etc). This also tied in with my next favourite line of the song “If you gonna grow the plant, then you gottta plant the seed, If you’re gonna reach a child, it starts by givin’ ‘em what they need.” ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645130676 2021-07-12 02:30:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645130676 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645171630 2021-07-12 02:47:28 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645171630 In today's session, what I learned that will aid in my development as a teacher are the components of a traditional lesson plan. This aspect of the session allowed me to view these requirements from a different perspective. Miss mentioned that the Introduction of the lesson plan is like an appetizer that should make students excited and eager to learn. It should open them up for the lesson. The next part of the lesson plan which is the Body of the lesson, miss referred to it as the main course which should be as engaging as possible and give opportunities for students to interact with the material physically. Next, is the closure which miss considered to be the dessert. This aspect is where the students should be mentally involved. Along with information pertaining to the Evaluation, Continuation/Follow-up, and Lesson Appraisal, I had never viewed a lesson plan from this perspective, prior to this session. Attaining this information, reinforced my previous knowledge and enhanced my comprehension of the essential parts of a lesson plan. The entire class session went well as I was able to understand what was being presented and hear my classmates' point of view as well, hence I would say nothing should have gone differently. Each aspect of the class session contributed to my overall understanding of the material. Based on the opening inspirational video miss played to start the class, the piece of advice that resonated most with me is when one of the teachers said "Everything is going to be okay, things may seem tough right now, and at times you may feel like you want to give up, but please don't". This gave me motivation because although I am not a teacher just yet, I am working towards it, and so far, the journey has been tough but hearing that advice gave me hope to continue to persevere till the end. And even when I reach my goal of becoming a teacher, it doesn't mean the journey has ended or it will always be difficult, but I know that once I keep my head on, stay focused, remain persistent, and trust in God, I know I can and will accomplish anything. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645173460 2021-07-12 02:48:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645173460 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645176394 2021-07-12 02:49:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645176394 What I learnt from today's session that will aid in my development as a teacher are the essential elements that can assist in cooperative learning. The acronym I learnt about is “PIGS Face” which means, positive interdependence, individual accountability, group processing, social skills and face to face interaction. Prior to this session, I didn’t know about the essential elements, but after analyzing these factors in class and with my group members, I understood their importance and plan on incorporating them into my classroom. In this session I also learnt what cooperative learning is, characteristics of a cooperative classroom, types of cooperative teams along with techniques that can be used to select or designate groups. I found this information was beneficial and showed different ways educators can enhance the learning experience for children. The entire class session went well for me and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of the session and attain such useful information that can aid in improving my teaching skills. Overall, I would say I would not change anything about the class session or nothing should have gone differently. Based on the opening inspirational video miss played, not only did this create a warm and positive atmosphere for class, but the advice that was shared gave me motivation and I got to hear real-life scenarios and experiences about the importance of human connection from an educator that allowed me to view teaching from a different perspective. What resonated most with me was the part where the teacher said, “We’re educators, we’re born to make a difference.” This statement gave me goosebumps because not only is it my passion to become a teacher, but it is also my passion to become an effective teacher that will make a difference in my future students’ lives. I want to be that teacher that will support her students even when no one else is. I want my students to learn from me and realize the potential they have within themselves just because there was someone there to believe in them and guide them along. I have so many aspirations as a prospective teacher, and I pray that one day I can be as good as the amazing teachers and lecturers I have come across in my journey. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645177230 2021-07-12 02:49:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645177230 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645178737 2021-07-12 02:50:31 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645178737 In today’s class, what I learnt that will aid in my development as a teacher is the importance of asking accurate questions when presenting lessons to students. Before this session, I was unaware of the different types of questions that could be asked in connection with the number of answers that could be derived from those same questions. This was beneficial to me because, as was mentioned in class, it depends on the topic that is being taught in class at the time, but knowing what kind of questions to ask students, how they should be asked, when and how many will contribute in assessing the students’ comprehension of the material being taught. I also learnt about Value-Based Teaching along with the criteria in selecting audio-visual materials. This aspect was also beneficial to me because I never really took into consideration or realized the importance of selecting relevant learning materials to aid in the teaching/learning process for students. To aid in my development as a teacher, I also learned about ensuring that character traits are infused into the teaching/lesson material or content so this can encourage good moral values, citizenship and character development in students. The entire session pleased me and the way in which the information was relayed, I was able to grasp the content easily and write down notes that I can integrate into my own classroom when I become a teacher. Overall, I do not think anything should have gone differently, as each aspect held significant importance in providing effective information that will assist me in becoming a great teacher. Thinking about a teacher who changed my life, I remember my standard four (4) teacher, Miss Ayanna. She passed away a few years ago sadly and I never got the opportunity to say this to her, but if she were still here, I would tell her, “Miss, thank you for being one of the best teachers I ever had. You supported me on a daily basis, made sure I felt comfortable as a new student transferring from another primary school. You saw the best in me and always motivated and encouraged me to do great things, even though I couldn’t see that in myself. When I felt discouraged by another teacher, you were there to pick me up and give me that motherly love and support. Even after school hours, when I would wait for my parents to come pick me up, instead of going home with your children, you stayed with me every time and kept me company. We would laugh and talk and simply have a good time communicating. I felt safe around you and comfortable sharing my insecurities and deepest troubles knowing that you were never judging me but instead giving me advice and comfort. So, for all that you have done for me, I want to say Thank You Miss Ayanna. I appreciate all that you did and you will always have a special place in my heart.” ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645179607 2021-07-12 02:50:53 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645179607 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645183939 2021-07-12 02:52:47 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645183939 In today’s session, what I learned that would aid in my development as a teacher, is the ability to further ensure objectives effectively meet the learning goal and needs of my students. For this this class, miss thoroughly went through objectives for a lesson plan and a Direct Instruction lesson plan. While going through the specific requirements, I observed the errors that were made and identified the difference between what was done initially and the accurate format/concept that should have been implemented. Through this aspect of the session, miss reinforced key components and basic requirements for writing objectives and a direct instruction lesson plan. This discussion allowed me the opportunity to become more certain and comprehend each domain in detail alongside other factors. The entire class session went well, as I was able to collaborate with my group members and continue working on assignments and engaging in discussions with the lecturer to adjust previous assignments done. I also enjoyed the motivational video that was played to commence the class. The video was entitled “Starfish message for Teachers” and this really inspired me because, often times I would question myself and wonder if I’ve got what it takes to be an impactful and effective teacher like those I’ve came across, but this video reminded me that I wouldn’t be able to change or make a difference in every student’s lives but I can for some, it just takes time and persistence. I have to try making a difference in one student’s life at a time. And I appreciate this video because it gave me reassurance and inspiration to accomplish my goal. Overall, I do not think anything should have gone differently, as each part of the session contributed effective information that will assist me in becoming a great teacher. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645185023 2021-07-12 02:53:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645185023 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645188416 2021-07-12 02:54:49 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645188416 In today’s session, what resonated most with me from the introductory video were two statements that were mentioned. The first said, “At the end, the most important thing is changing the life of our students….for the better” and the second statement is “We teachers are made to bring L.I.F.E to our students (Lead, Inspire, Facilitate and Empower”. These two statements gave me motivation and inspired me to work my hardest to become the best teacher I know I can be. Despite the challenges and obstacles, I may encounter, I know I can overcome it if I continue to be dedicated and trust in God to see me through this journey. For today’s session, there were three microteaching lessons taught in the Butterflies’ group. The first was done by Kyla Roopnarine. She taught Mathematics for the standard three level and the topic was ‘Number Patterns’. This microteaching was well executed, but required specific adjustments that could have enhanced the learning experience for students. Kyla incorporated visual aids to assist students in comprehending what patterns are and asked relevant questions where students were able to respond accurately. According to the formal training received prior, Kyla implemented clear and guided instructions to present the lesson, provided practice for the students, gave feedback and correction where necessary and allowed students to independently participate in the session by giving students the opportunity to create their own number pattern and designating questions for students to work out on their own and correct with the teacher. Kyla also integrated faith and learning into her session which was admirable. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645189445 2021-07-12 02:55:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645189445 The second microteaching lesson was done by myself. I taught Mathematics for the standard two level and the topic was “Addition”. Through out the lesson, I attempted to incorporate the formal training that was received prior. When questions were asked, students were able to answer quick, firm and accurately which showed that they understood the material being presented. Given the opportunity to reteach this lesson again, I would consider changing a few things. Firstly, I would integrate more faith and learning into my session along with the rules for my class, so students can be aware of what is expected of them. I would also focus on evaluating students more before engaging in activities to reinforce the information taught. Thankfully, I did not have any major challenges with the lesson. I would say my greatest success was the smooth presentation on ‘Addition’ that allowed students to fully understand the basic concepts and answer questions that were asked accurately. From this experience, I learnt methods that should be integrated into lessons to be engaging for students and promote an effective learning environment. When students possess the capability to understand the material being presented to them, they attain skills that will contribute to their academic and holistic success, and equip them to be productive citizens of society. I would consider the board game activity that was done, worthy of emulating because students were not only engaged, and had fun playing, but they were also learning different ways to add numbers together. The final microteaching lesson was done my Kelsi Wilson. She taught Mathematics for the Infant one level and her topic was “Addition”. The lesson taught by Kelsi was creative and engaging. Students were able to learn about addition by viewing a video that explained the concept and participate in activities to reinforce their knowledge. Questions asked by the teacher were followed with accurate responses from the students. I observed that Kelsi incorporated numerous colours to catch the attention of the students, which I commend was an effective strategy. The lesson overall was well done and age appropriate for the learners. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645190286 2021-07-12 02:55:39 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645190286 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645192593 2021-07-12 02:56:38 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645192593 Based on the introductory video, two words that resonated most with me were to be ‘Strong’ and to be ‘Adventurous’. These words stood out to me the most because, as the video also stated, “The best legacy you could leave is not some building that is named after you or a piece of jewellery, but rather a world that has been impacted and touched by your presence, your joy, and your positive actions’. I’ve come to the realization that being a teacher is not a simple task or journey, it requires faith, patience and dedication. Although the journey may be difficult, it is important for educators to remain strong and continue to be persistent. From my point of view, teachers should also take into consideration new methods that can be implemented to enhance the learning experience for students. Even if that means taking risks, stepping outside our comfort zones and being ‘adventurous’. As the video also stated, “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going”. I believe I can demonstrate the trait of being ‘strong’ by remaining hopeful in God, especially when times get tough, and use the challenges that I may encounter as motivation to grow and become better. Being ‘adventurous’ can be evident in my teaching and incorporating ideas that would benefit students, even if I am reluctant to at first. For this session, within the Butterflies’ group, there were four microteaching lessons. The first was done by myself. I taught the subject of Language Arts for the standard two level and the topic was “Parts of Speech” in particular “Verbs”. From previous training sessions, I was able to implement methods that were taught such as: Mantra, inclusion of something to captivate students’ attention, provide feedback and corrective where applicable among other factors. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645197475 2021-07-12 02:58:55 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645197475 When I asked the students questions, they were able to answer accurately and provide reasons for their answers that were based on the charts being displayed and the explanations that were previously shared. Given the opportunity to teach this lesson again, I would consider integrating more faith into the lesson and show students the rules for the class session so they can be aware of the expectations for the class. I would say my greatest success for this lesson was the students capability to comprehend the lesson material and the greatest challenge was coming up with a creative and effective presentation to capture the students’ attention, keep them actively engaged and be able to understand the basic concepts taught. When students perform well in their education, it not affects them personally but also their parents and teachers, because they have the opportunity to witness the progress being made and the potential of the student (s). From this experience, I learnt the importance of being prepared, not only with the format of the lesson, but the questions that will be asked, the activities that will be given. Each aspect plays an important role in ensuring students understand what was taught to them, and from this lesson, I would say the idea of allowing the students to go on a virtual field trip is worthy of being emulated. Due to the onset of the pandemic, this innovation would have allowed students to virtually visit a different environment that represented a real-life experience and given the students the opportunity to be more engaged and connect with the lesson in a meaningful way. The second microteaching lesson was done by Kyla Roopnarine. She taught the subject Language Arts for the standard one level, and her topic was “Nouns”. For this session, Kyla used the advice and feedback from the previous microteaching to enhanced her presentation and it was well executed. Kyla integrated faith and learning, included a motivational mantra and captured the attention of the students before she commenced the lesson. The video that was used thoroughly explained what Nouns are and gave relevant examples. The activities Kyla included were very engaging for students and allowed them to practice what was taught. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645198397 2021-07-12 02:59:22 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645198397 The third microteaching lesson was done by Kelsi Wilson. She taught the subject Language Arts for the Infant one level and her topic was “Writing”. The lesson taught was well executed and highlighted the basic factors that were previously taught. Kelsi integrated faith and learning which was evident in the prayer that was said to commence the class. The video on ‘Super marks’ was very captivating for students and set the foundation for the lesson as it provided visual aid and examples for students to understand the basic concepts about punctuation. When Kelsi asked the students questions, they were able to respond accurately and firmly because of the thorough explanations that were provided. The song implemented to state the placement of the question mark caught my attention because it will allow students the opportunity to remember the information by singing the song. The activities were also engaging and the questions that were asked by the teacher were relevant to the lesson and simple to comprehend. The fourth microteaching lesson was done by Lashauna Morang. She taught the subject Language Arts for the Infant one level and the topic was “Capital letters”. Lashauna’s lesson was well prepared and well taught. The integration of faith and learning was clearly seen in the gospel song that was played at the beginning of the class. The captivation technique was also effective to catch the students’ attention and get them excited for the lesson. The game of “I spy with my little eye” along with the inclusion of other activities were very interactive and simple to comprehend, as the questions that were asked by the teacher received quick and accurate responses by the students. This lesson was also age appropriate for the learning level, creative and well executed. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645198987 2021-07-12 02:59:37 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645198987 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645200461 2021-07-12 03:00:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645200461 I chose education as my profession because growing up I have always had a passion for this field. I enjoy teaching children and helping them recognize their true potential. Through the past experiences I’ve had assisting children with their school work, I’ve enjoyed the process and witnessing the excitement on their faces when they finally understand something is an amazing feeling that is unexplainable. For today’s session, I was part of the few students to present a microteaching lesson. My lesson was based on the subject Mathematics, focusing on the topic “Addition” for the standard two level. From a personal perspective, the lesson taught was informative, fun, engaging and understandable. Students were able to easily grasp the content which was evident in their responses to the questions I asked, and the activities that were assigned to evaluate their comprehension. In my lesson taught, the board game I had as an activity was significant because not only did students enjoy this aspect of the lesson the most, but it encompassed all that was taught and gave students the opportunity to exercise their understanding on addition in a fun a way. With the formal training received, I was actually able to link and implement most aspects into my teaching. I was able to incorporate objectives for the lesson that were based on the three various domains, include a motivational mantra that also emphasized faith in God, capture students’ attention with a video and a simple activity, activate their prior knowledge, use clear and guided instructions, demonstrate material taught, ask simple and relevant questions, give applicable feedback and correctives, allow students the opportunity to practice lesson individually and I also evaluated students’ performance and assigned homework as a follow-up method. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645201296 2021-07-12 03:00:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645201296 Students’ responses were quick, firm and accurate to the questions asked due to the simplicity of the lesson and resources integrated to aid in comprehension of the material such as examples, video, and board game. Given another opportunity to teach this lesson again, I would not consider doing anything differently. Reason being, the concept was presented in a manner that was understandable, students were able to interact with the exercises accurately and they received guidance and assistance where applicable. With the use of technology, it was a bit difficult to present information smoothly, in particular the dice for the board game, which was a bit delayed and created minor conflict among teams but overall, the lesson taught was successful because students were interactive, enjoyed the session and grasped the material presented. From this experience, I learned about various techniques that can be implemented in the classroom to enhance the learning process for students and what should be done to ensure management of classroom behaviour is achieved successfully. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645201633 2021-07-12 03:00:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645201633 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645203643 2021-07-12 03:01:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645203643 Within the introductory video, if I was in the teacher’s position, I may not have done anything differently. I say this because she tried talking to him each class session and he was not interested, until she gave him another opportunity to learn and be engaged by incorporating what he liked into the assignment. Only avenue I might I have tried that the teacher in the video didn’t attempt, would be to ask the student to stay back after class to have a one-on-one discussion, because depending on what he was going through, he may have either been shy, depressed or possibly embarrassed to talk to the teacher while his classmates were around. So, I would have also tried to communicate with him after class if I was in the teacher’s position. In today’s class session, we continued with microteaching. Shunade presented first and she taught the subject Language Arts for the Standard two and the topic was ‘Adjectives’, the second person was Carel who taught Mathematics for the standard three level and her topic was ‘Symmetry’. The following person to present was Trishorn on the subject Mathematics for standard two and the topic was ‘Number and Names’. Next was Kyla who did her microteaching on the subject Language Arts for the standard one level and her topic was ‘Nouns’. Kirtanna followed with her lesson that was done for the subject Mathematics for the standard one grade and she specifically looked at ‘Money’. The last presentation was done by Oliver for the subject Mathematics, in particular ‘Weight and Mass’ for the standard four class. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645204388 2021-07-12 03:02:11 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645204388 In each presentation, I observed everyone included a similar procedure that incorporated the methods and guidelines provided previously by miss. The lessons were creative, engaging and simple to comprehend. Through these sessions, students can be impacted with thorough information and content to aid in their overall development in the educational process. Based on what was taught, the teachers would have received ample feedback from students with reference to the questions that were asked, the assignments given and tests allocated. When teachers attain this feedback, they are then able to inform the parents on the student’s progress and problem areas that can be worked on for future purposes. Overall, the creativity and content of the microteaching lessons done, in particular the activities I would say are worthy of emulating because they allowed students the opportunity to be engaged in the lesson but still have fun at the same time. This event provided adequate knowledge and tips on what should be done in the classroom. From this experience, I observed the dedication and hard work put forth by my classmates to successfully complete their microteaching. Although the process of teaching requires persistence and hard work, I learnt that we must not give up but continue to strive to be the best teachers we can be. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645204933 2021-07-12 03:02:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645204933 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645205941 2021-07-12 03:02:54 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645205941 For this session, we commenced with an inspirational video. What resonated most with me is the aspect where the speaker stated, “You want to know what I make; I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.” When he listed the various things that he makes his students do, this resonated the most with me because as a prospective teacher, I want to be the best that can I be, and that means pushing my students towards their goal, allowing them to witness potential in themselves that they didn’t even know they had. I want them to achieve anything knowing they will always have the capability to do, it just takes hard work and determination. In today’s microteaching session, the first person to present was Sophia, who did her lesson on the subject Language Arts for the infant one level and the topic was ‘Identifying letters’. The second lesson was done by Harmony and her subject was Language Arts for the standard one level and the topic was ‘Nouns and Numbers’. The next session was done by Anesha for the subject Mathematics at the standard one level and the topic was ‘Solid Shapes’. The following session was done by Lashauna for the subject Mathematics for the Infants 1 level and the topic was ‘Writing number names and numerals (1 to 5). Next was Sherman for the subject Mathematics at the Standard two level and his topic was ‘Rounding Off to the nearest ten. The last session was received by Shevelle, and her subject was Language Arts for the Standard one level, based on the topic ‘Common and Proper Nouns’. I overserved in each microteaching session, that my classmates included the structures attained from the lecturer. They incorporated class rules, class mantra, champs chart, engaging activities, asked relevant questions and provided ample feedback and correctives. Each presentation would impact teachers by illustrating guidelines and demonstrations of what should and should not be done in the classroom. For each of the microteaching sessions, I would consider the activities worthy of emulating, because not only were students involved, but they were having fun answering questions due to the effectiveness of the lessons taught. From this experience, I gained adequate knowledge that can also be implemented within my classroom to enhance the learning process for students. Each presentation was well done. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645296718 2021-07-12 03:43:52 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645296718 ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645298205 2021-07-12 03:44:40 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645298205 Doing this course, two things I enjoyed of looked forward to in this class was the opportunities that were given to share various views and perspectives on certain topics and the opportunity to engage in teaching practice to aid in developing a sense of what this profession is actually like. Through this experience, I was able to attain tips and guidelines of what I can integrate in my future classroom to be a more effective teacher that creates a comfortable learning environment for my students. I do not dread or wish things could have gone differently. However, I would have preferred more time allotted in group discussions and whole class discussions. I enjoyed each aspect of every session, in particular the motivational videos that would be played to commence each session. This created a positive and encouraging atmosphere to start learning. If I were asked to teach this course, the only thing I would do differently is to ensure assignments given were set in a timely manner that not only allowed the lecturer ample time to look go through submission from students, but also allows students adequate time to get everything done with regards to other assignments that may have been clashing. The advice I would give to a student who has to do this class next year, is to be prepared and enjoy the experience. By being prepared for particular aspects like the amount of dedication and work that has to be done will equip persons to mentally ready to tackle assignments promptly. And simply enjoying the experience of teaching and learning new skills and methods will make the process even smoother. I enjoyed this class and am grateful for the lecturer and classmates I had for this course. This was an experience I will never forget. ssmith1012 https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645315823 2021-07-12 03:55:08 UTC https://padlet.com/ssmith1012/8b95ml55z8cfuroy/wish/1645315823