a. INTRODUCTION
Describe the approach/strategy used.
b. DEVELOPMENT
What were the challenges encountered during implementation?
What were the tactics employed to resolve the difficulties met?
What further improvements can be suggested?
c. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
What new insights/discoveries have I made in relation to my role as a teacher?
How will I make use of this new knowledge in future?
What further information or knowledge should I seek to expand my knowledge in relation to this context?
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a. Introduction
ReplyDeleteFor Class 113, the first Math lesson of the week was to teach Data Handling and conduct the Sec 1 Math Trail during the second Math lesson on Friday.
b. Development
An observation made from this class is that each time I try to communicate with them a handful of students like to make comments despite constant reminders to have them to raise their hands before speaking. This is especially common among the boys in the class. But lessons with 113 was more manageable than last week such that we had the past experience from the extra Math lesson conducted during the week before such that, they were very restless and noisy that I have to raise my voice to discipline them and get them to co-operate. After which, they kept quiet and co-operated for almost 20 minutes and I was able to finish the review of Class Test 1 with them and release them early. However, before they were released, I got them to reflect on the time that was wasted to discipline them with regards to co-operating and keeping quiet. Thus, I figured it could be due to this experience which got them to understand that time-wasting is not benefiting them at all that they were more co-operative this week during the first lesson. As for the Math Trail that was conducted today, the activity was a success with the students such that the students displayed more enthusiasm and willingness to try despite the hot weather and movement around the school. However, there were a few boys who were not interested and were not willing to move with their groups to do the various stations.
c. Personal Reflections
Despite having difficulties in learning Mathematics, several students from this class showed willingness to listen and asked questions during class and handed in their homework promptly. However, the problem with the class is that time is always wasted trying to get them to keep quiet, especially in terms of their comments when I am trying to pass instructions. As such, I have to constantly remind them that their comments will only result in more time wasted even though their intention was to help to keep the class quiet. Also, from the results of their Class Tests and PAL Tests, their abilities to comprehend the Math topics seems to be of a wide range such that I have students who do not even know what is HCF and LCM. As such, I hope to take the “Differentiated Instructions” approach for this class during the March Holidays Remedial Lessons. The students will be grouped into different Remedial groups based on their results and have different Remedial lessons catered to their understanding of the Term 1 topics. At the same time, I hope the Remedial sessions will be able to help them for their preparation of the BATS test in Term 2 which will mainly test them on the Term 1 Topics.
Extra lessons had to be conducted for class 113 during the March holidays... I placed the students into smaller groups and have them to come at different times of the days to attend the extra lessons. In a way I hoping that smaller groups would be beneficial for this class in particular, because when they come as a whole class I don't get their full attention. As what I have expected, both lessons conducted were very fruitful for myself and the students. Most of the students were able to absorb and understand better when they were split into smaller groups. I was also able to focus on every single student in terms of getting their response to questions posed to them and clear their doubts while going through exercise questions in the Textbook. From these two lessons, I was also able to identify and differentiate the students who are really weak in the understanding of the Math topics as well as the students who require more practice. Also, I was able to teach more effectively and productively due to smaller groups, such that I do not encounter discipline problems, thus, allowing me to do more than what I had originally planned for the class. However, I also encountered students who skipped the classes without valid reasons. As such, I will try to arrange for these students to come for Remedial classes regardless of their results as to make up for their skipping of classes.
ReplyDeleteI tried a different approach for Class 102 today for the teaching of topics. Chapter 10 – Percentages is a topic that the students have been taught in Primary School. I did the powerpoint slides as usual, but I issued the worksheet (corresponding to the slides) for the students to copy notes and follow. This is the similar method that I use for Class 113 where I will follow them through the slides and take down the notes for the topic. After which, I collected the worksheets from the students at the end of the class because I told them I will check all their worksheets to make sure they are doing work and doing the correct work. Failure to do so will lead them to have extra assignments to complete. The lesson was similar to the lesson being conducted for Class 113, except Class 102 students were faster and completed the work very quickly. My guess is that it is due to the topic which is a familiar topic to them. I have “marked” every single piece of worksheet and corrected their mistakes with some comments. The worksheets will be returned to them on the next lesson to let them be aware of their mistakes and have the corrections done before I proceed with the teaching. I was not sure whether this method will work for them, as in whether the weaker students will actually understand better using this approach. It was only until the lesson itself that I figured that I would like to collect their worksheets to check and look at their work, such that it becomes like a classroom assignment, instead of teaching materials. After reviewing their worksheets, I am able to pin-point their mistakes in their worksheets and leave comments on how to improve in this topic. . Another way to improve could be to have a part for a short reflection in their worksheet such that I have the students to fill in their reflection and a mini survey of their comprehension of the topic. By doing this I hope to be able to understand their difficulties and be able to help the students according to their needs.
ReplyDeleteVisit to Bedok Green Secondary School:
ReplyDeleteIt was a fruitful learning journey for me as it was the very first time I visit another school for a sharing session as a Teacher. The sharing session was very enriching as I was able to pick up a few pointers which I thought would be good to adopt and improve my teaching in a way or another. The first one was the cover page template of their Common Test paper. Personally I liked the concept of teachers, students and parents having to write comments after reviewing the papers. This would allow me to pinpoint every student’s problem or encourage them further with a few words of remarks. It would also serve as a form of communication between teachers and parents on their child’s progress after every test. Of course, it will only be effectively if the parents are willing to look at their child’s paper and leave a comment. Another pointer would be inculcating the Remedial Sessions as a normal lesson into the student’s timetable. This would be a good approach as students will not be able to use CCA or their parents wanting them home as an excuse to skip Remedial lessons. A good point about their Remedial Sessions is that the Remedial days need not be shared with another subject or department. Personally I find that it would be good to have Remedial session inserted into their timetable as normal lessons, however, it would also mean that students will end school much later which for Ping Yi students, it would not be feasible in the long run. Thirdly, the Saturday Study sessions would be a plus point to take note as students will be allowed more time to focus and consult the teachers. Teachers can also make use of these Saturday sessions to conduct remedial or extra Maths lessons if need be. It would also serve as consultation sessions for the motivated and diligent students to clarify their doubts as students and teachers are busy during normal school days most of the time. And lastly, the refreshments were great!!!