Week 5
7 August 2011 – 11 August 2011


This week I had an observation session with my English supervisor, Ms. Lim. I ‘jeopardized’ my marks and grades by bringing my 4B pupils to the computer lab as I planned to use the ICT elements such as the LCD projector and also the Microsoft PowerPoint slides. Even though I know it was havoc and chaotic to handle them in the lab, I guess I would give it a try since Ms. Lim would be with me. The pupils were very well behaved during Ms. Lim’s previous observation. I was hoping that my teaching and learning session in the lab would be at least in an acceptable manner, if not successful.

The lesson was not even started, and the students were late entering the lab! I had informed the class monitor and also a girl from the 4B class to get into the lab at 10.30 a.m. after recess. When I went to the class to ask them why they were late, they said that it was not my class period. I was very furious but managed to control my tone and asked them to quickly pick up their English books and stationeries and rush over to the computer lab. Next time, I think I will need to invite them if I hold my class session in places other than their classroom.

From my personal evaluation, my overall planning was fine. My learning outcomes or behavioural objectives were explicit and clearly stated. My teaching and learning contents were good in many aspects and suited to the curriculum. My teaching and learning strategy was still moderate and needs to be improved. I should be more student-centred. My teaching and learning sources were good as I used lots of pictures. The pupils were very excited when they looked at those pictures.

My value inculcation is still not good. It was simply moderate and needs to be improved. Only limited values were stated. I will need to inculcate more values in my next lessons. My thinking skills elements were still not good as well. They could be better. I will need to induce more thinking skills elements in my next lessons.

My overall lesson implementation was moderate. My set induction went pretty well. All pupils seemed interested in the singing activity. I asked them to sing the “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” song along with the animation, music and lyrics. It was a satisfactory start. My teaching progress was alright, but not all students were attentive. Some of them were playing with the spinning chairs. I think I will never perform my next English lessons in the computer lab anymore!

The shared reading session was performed pretty well. The pupils did their best to read the passage, even though they have problems to pronounce some words. Nevertheless, some of the pupils were still not paying their attention. The focused word work session seemed succeeded in attracting the pupils for a little while to look at the pictures displayed on the white screen projected from the LCD projector. I think I need to drill them a little bit more on pronouncing difficult words correctly.

The group work went into total havoc and chaos! Each group consist a lot of pupils, which was about 8 to 10 pupils. I believe that that was the factor that triggers the intolerable noise and clamour among the pupils, regardless of the boys or the girls. Next time, I think I need to divide them into smaller groups. Maybe about 5 to 6 pupils in a group.

The group work presentation which involved group singing went even more disastrous and hectic. The pupils did not pronounce the lyrics correctly. The audience were not paying attention. Next time, I think I need to train them with the lyric pronunciation first before getting them to present their works.

The computer lab possessed conducive learning environment, but the classroom control was lacking. I was not able to make them silent or to focus their attention to my lesson and instructions. I thought I had struggled so hard in asking them to shut up and be quiet. But it ended up by them asking me, “teacher, quiet tu gapo dio?” I think I still need to work hard on controlling the class. Next time, I will need to increase my strictness and firmness towards the pupils without using a lot of my energy and voice. I think I am having sore throat and nasty cough now due to lots of yell and shout towards the pupils.

My communication with the pupils had improved quite a lot whereby I did not use too many Malay words in my lesson. My voice was clear and suitable with the classroom environment. My lesson quality was moderate. A part of the class did not do their task as entrusted. Some of them were joining other groups. Some of them were disturbing their friends in other groups. Therefore, my lesson quality was not up to the good standard. In my next lessons, I need to make sure that all pupils do their tasks as instructed.

My lesson closure was bad. It was abruptly ended. I was doing my best to make sure that everything was completed on time. Therefore, I was rushing and did not perform a proper closure. The learning outcomes or behavioural objectives achievements were satisfactory. I need to make that all exercises given were completed on time and correctly. Values inculcated were also unclear. This part has always been one of my weaknesses.

My reflection write-up was fine. I can see some improvement as I am not only reporting, but I also list down all the problems I face in the classrooms and recommended some useful tips and solutions. My effort in reflective thinking was also seen. My portfolio was good. All necessary documents are neatly managed in the file.

My personal appearance was good as I am neat and well-mannered. My care upon the pupils could be improved. My attitude was considerate and patient. My professional attitude was satisfactory. Overall, I have shown improvement in my teaching and learning session. I also need to work harder on my classroom control.