My Teaching Practice

The Procedures of My Teaching

The procedures I took varies with every type of lesson or method I deliver.
Most of the time, my lessons start with preparation.
To prepare involves having them review or recall the previous lesson, then giving them a motivation or motivating activity to have them hooked on the lesson today.

I motivated my pupils with the song “10 Little Indians” and I gave them Indian hats.

The motivation could either be a song, game, dance, or any short activity that makes the students engaged and interested.

After the preparation, I would use different methods to present the lesson. The 2 most common basic methods I used during my practice teaching in Satit Demonstration School of UDRU are the Developmental Lesson and the Drill Lesson.

Playing “Hangman” with the students to teach the action words used for their Play Time.

I usually use the Developmental Lesson for presenting new lessons, or for enhancing new skills. The Developmental Lesson, for me, is efficient because I am able to insert a variety of activities that the learners can use.

After the preparation, the first step would be the presentation wherein I can integrate different activities for the learners to understand the subject matter and learning content. After that, the learners are tasked to apply what they have learned in almost real-life situations. Next, the learners will generalize or summarize what the have learned through another activity. Lastly, the learners will be given a short assessment or evaluation of what they have learned.

The learners try to check if the answers of each group are correct for Prathomsuksa 3.

Prathomsuksa 3 tries to complete the date or form the date asked with the given choices.

For the Drill Lesson, I usually use this to evaluate what the students have actually learned and to see where if I can proceed with the lesson or not. Likewise, the pupils can also practice the new knowledge and skills they have learned. This lesson is usually done with a variety of activities, games, quizzes, and such.

After the preparation, the Drill Lesson starts with the focalization. It is sort of a review but it is still an activity. The learners will put their focus on this certain concept. Repetition is essential for learners to remember and master concepts, so after knowing what they should focus on, the pupils will now participate in activities for repetition with attention. This involves the exercise drill or the main activity. After that, the learners will again try to apply what they have learned in an almost real-life context or even in a situation given to them, then the learners will generalize or summarize what they have learned.

The learners participated in a quiz-bee like activity for their drill lesson.

The pupils in Prathomsuksa 2 learn to communicate properly by playing “Pass the Message”.

The pupils in Prathomsuksa 2 practice decoding the words by having a Word Search.

Before actually executing the lesson and planning for it, I ensure that I talk with my cooperating teacher, Kru New. I ask for pieces of advice and also on what our objectives and targets would be. I would also ask for her agreement and confirmation for all my lessons. I am very grateful for the guidance that she gives.

Time Management and Organizing Activities

Honestly, time management was a struggle for me. I have many activities planned for the learners that sometimes the learners would need more time for it than expected. I usually set a certain number of minutes for the pupils to complete a task or for a discussion to finish, however, I also need to adjust so that the pupils can really practice what they have learned.

One group of Prathomusksa 3 answers the group task given to them.

Next time, I will be more conscious of my time and I will create activities that are not too difficult but are still challenging.

Problem-solving

The pupils that I have encountered can get too excited sometimes. They also tend to lose their focus. I use different strategies in classroom management, which will be discussed below, that helps me get the attention of the pupils once again or to have them settle down. I sometimes use songs, dances, actions, claps and/or chants for the learners to redirect their attention to the lesson.

Sometimes, usually after lunch, the learners seem tired, sleepy or passive. At the start of the lesson, I ensure that the learners get enough energy and interest by using a variety of strategies like ice breakers or short exercises.

The most difficult problem I encountered was on the language barrier. The pupils sometimes do not fully understand me. However, my cooperating teacher helps me by translating what I have said to the students.

Classroom Management

I use a variety of strategies or methods to manage the behavior of a class. I usually use music, dances, chants, and such. For example, when the learners are quite noisy or too excited, I get their attention by saying some chants. I would say “Zip Zip”, and the pupils will answer and say “Zap Zap”. I usually say this with a really loud voice and the pupils follow, then I slowly turn into a really soft voice, and the pupils then follow. They know that with this, it is time to listen to the teacher or focus on their activity. I also use simple songs like, “if you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands… stomp your feet… turn around… do it all,” and the learners would do the corresponding action. I also used this to integrate the lesson of Prathomsuksa 2 and in managing the class. For example, I would do “if you’re happy and you know it, jump 2 times,” so that they will also master the learning content.

The use of Positive Reinforcement is also essential. I would praise pupils who perform good behavior, and then I would also give rewards, like stickers, so that the pupils have something to look forward to. I usually praise the behavior of the pupil so that the other pupils will follow. For example, when I say, “very good, group 1, for being quiet,” the rest of the pupils will follow. When none show positive behavior I say, “I wonder who among the pupils are quiet and sitting down,” and so the pupils follow. Before the start of our class, I also always ask them to keep everything away and to make sure nothing is on their tables so they will not be distracted. I make sure to assess the mood and behavior of the pupils at the start of the lesson and I immediately address whatever needs to be addressed.

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https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rketjvvztc7n0ja/AABjAmUi0fTzL-4D4l7tuMWya?dl=0

My Overall Impression in Teaching

Satit Demonstration School of UDRU became my home away from home. I found friendship, camaraderie and genuine happiness in my time spent with them. There was an exchange of culture, and it was indeed very interesting to find that there are some similarities in our culture.

My teaching experience was very educational. I learned that regardless of language barriers, we are still able to learn from one another. I learned a lot from my teacher in managing the class, preparing activities, and in being a teacher that the learners look up to. My teacher would always give me feedback after my lessons and this helped me become a better teacher every day. I learned that teachers should only be facilitators that allow the learners to discover and participate, rather than just listening to the teacher. I was able to make the theories I’ve learned into practice her in Thailand. For that, I am very grateful.

I will carry in my heart everything I have learned, all the memories I experienced and all the pupils and teachers I have met. They will always be a part of me as I become the best teacher I can be.