My Practical Training Journal: Week 6
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 10:35 am
Week 6
14 August 2011 – 18 August 2011
Nothing much happened this week. All schools in Kelantan had UBB3 or Ujian Berkala Berpusat 3 for all Year One – Year Five pupils. Year Six pupils had their UPSR trial exam. The examination was held in three days from Sunday, 14 August 2011 until 16 August 2011. On 17 August 2011, all Malaysian Muslims celebrated the Nuzul Qur’an day and it was the national holiday.
Initially, Shahera and me were not having any classes for the three days of the UBB3, nor invigilating any exam slots. But when we arrived in school on Sunday, the Examination Secretary, Mrs. Parah Zahani handed over the invigilating timetable to both of us and informed us to take over Ustazah Syahida’s slots to be invigilated. We decided to invigilate those slots together.
On Sunday, we invigilated the Bahasa Melayu paper for Year 1C. I could see a few Siamese pupils in the class. Since it was a Year One class, we guided them on how to answer the exam questions. Some of the pupils asked us pretty lots of questions and even the answers. Shahera and I were busy entertaining the pupils who needed our help and guidance.
There was a Siamese boy who needed every-single-step guidance. I believe he could not read well. I was hesitated whether to only focus on him or just let him to survive all by himself since it was after all an EXAMINATION. I decided to focus on all pupils, not only him. Of course I pitied him as I can see how difficult for him to even understand the instructions of the paper.
Before this, I only had experience on invigilating OUM students’ examination. When it came to school kids, it went a little havoc and chaotic. I think I need to consult with senior teachers on how to invigilate examination of these little kids. In the future, I think I will need to only pass the instructions and only entertain the candidates who have problems in understanding the instructions.
On Monday, we invigilated Year 1D for English paper. This is the first class that Shahera and I always worry to enter. With our lacking of experience of being Year One teachers, Year 1D pupils are a very enormous challenge for us, especially for me since I have no experience of being a school teacher before joining the KPLI program. We prayed very hard that the pupils will behave and understand the concept of examination.
Upon instructing them to write their names on the exam paper, we found out that almost 40% of the pupils were unable to write their own names. Therefore, we helped them out on that. At that point we knew that it was then a nightmare came true. All pupils asked us how to answer the questions. We guided them just like how we guided the Year 1C pupils the day before.
The first half an hour was calm. But later on, it went hectic and mayhem just like the usual class session. Two of us could not control them. They went out without our awareness of their disappearance. Two of the boys were even started a fight. I mean a serious fight. It happened at the back of the classroom with some other boys were supporting their fight. Worried of unfortunate things that might happen; I took action and separated both of them. I did not know what else to do and simply asked them to sit at their own places.
Thinking of this matter, I still have no solution for this kind of behaviour in pupils. I thought I have been very strict with them. But they just could not obey my instructions. When I yell or shout to them, they will be silent for a little while. Then they will create another huge turmoil in no time. I will look for advices from other colleagues and teachers, especially those who have been teaching for more than 10 years.
On Wednesday, we invigilated Year 1A for Arabic paper. I can see a huge difference between Year 1A pupils and Year 1D pupils. I have no problem in invigilating exam and even handling class with Year 1A pupils. But it is different when it comes to Year 1D. Sometimes I think I was playing war games with them. Oh dear God. Am I being biased now? Sometimes I think I am hoping for a miracle to happen for me to control hyperactive pupils.
I consulted my husband who has been a teacher for more than 20 years now. He told me that class control is the most challenging and even the most difficult part for most teachers. He has seen lots of trainees who cried and stressed out when they were unable to control their class during their practical training. As for me, I was only stressed out, but I can still control myself from tears. He said that class control takes 2 to 3 years to master, not in 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months. I think I will take it easy now. I will learn the tricks without rushing.
My husband has invited me to observe him in his classroom tomorrow, Friday, 19 August 2011. He said that I can see how he controls his pupils. It is because it is easy for him to just explain, but I could not see those explanations in action. By observing him, I hope I can get some ideas on class control.
14 August 2011 – 18 August 2011
Nothing much happened this week. All schools in Kelantan had UBB3 or Ujian Berkala Berpusat 3 for all Year One – Year Five pupils. Year Six pupils had their UPSR trial exam. The examination was held in three days from Sunday, 14 August 2011 until 16 August 2011. On 17 August 2011, all Malaysian Muslims celebrated the Nuzul Qur’an day and it was the national holiday.
Initially, Shahera and me were not having any classes for the three days of the UBB3, nor invigilating any exam slots. But when we arrived in school on Sunday, the Examination Secretary, Mrs. Parah Zahani handed over the invigilating timetable to both of us and informed us to take over Ustazah Syahida’s slots to be invigilated. We decided to invigilate those slots together.
On Sunday, we invigilated the Bahasa Melayu paper for Year 1C. I could see a few Siamese pupils in the class. Since it was a Year One class, we guided them on how to answer the exam questions. Some of the pupils asked us pretty lots of questions and even the answers. Shahera and I were busy entertaining the pupils who needed our help and guidance.
There was a Siamese boy who needed every-single-step guidance. I believe he could not read well. I was hesitated whether to only focus on him or just let him to survive all by himself since it was after all an EXAMINATION. I decided to focus on all pupils, not only him. Of course I pitied him as I can see how difficult for him to even understand the instructions of the paper.
Before this, I only had experience on invigilating OUM students’ examination. When it came to school kids, it went a little havoc and chaotic. I think I need to consult with senior teachers on how to invigilate examination of these little kids. In the future, I think I will need to only pass the instructions and only entertain the candidates who have problems in understanding the instructions.
On Monday, we invigilated Year 1D for English paper. This is the first class that Shahera and I always worry to enter. With our lacking of experience of being Year One teachers, Year 1D pupils are a very enormous challenge for us, especially for me since I have no experience of being a school teacher before joining the KPLI program. We prayed very hard that the pupils will behave and understand the concept of examination.
Upon instructing them to write their names on the exam paper, we found out that almost 40% of the pupils were unable to write their own names. Therefore, we helped them out on that. At that point we knew that it was then a nightmare came true. All pupils asked us how to answer the questions. We guided them just like how we guided the Year 1C pupils the day before.
The first half an hour was calm. But later on, it went hectic and mayhem just like the usual class session. Two of us could not control them. They went out without our awareness of their disappearance. Two of the boys were even started a fight. I mean a serious fight. It happened at the back of the classroom with some other boys were supporting their fight. Worried of unfortunate things that might happen; I took action and separated both of them. I did not know what else to do and simply asked them to sit at their own places.
Thinking of this matter, I still have no solution for this kind of behaviour in pupils. I thought I have been very strict with them. But they just could not obey my instructions. When I yell or shout to them, they will be silent for a little while. Then they will create another huge turmoil in no time. I will look for advices from other colleagues and teachers, especially those who have been teaching for more than 10 years.
On Wednesday, we invigilated Year 1A for Arabic paper. I can see a huge difference between Year 1A pupils and Year 1D pupils. I have no problem in invigilating exam and even handling class with Year 1A pupils. But it is different when it comes to Year 1D. Sometimes I think I was playing war games with them. Oh dear God. Am I being biased now? Sometimes I think I am hoping for a miracle to happen for me to control hyperactive pupils.
I consulted my husband who has been a teacher for more than 20 years now. He told me that class control is the most challenging and even the most difficult part for most teachers. He has seen lots of trainees who cried and stressed out when they were unable to control their class during their practical training. As for me, I was only stressed out, but I can still control myself from tears. He said that class control takes 2 to 3 years to master, not in 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months. I think I will take it easy now. I will learn the tricks without rushing.
My husband has invited me to observe him in his classroom tomorrow, Friday, 19 August 2011. He said that I can see how he controls his pupils. It is because it is easy for him to just explain, but I could not see those explanations in action. By observing him, I hope I can get some ideas on class control.
My Practical Training Journal: Week 5
Sunday, September 04, 2011 8:45 am
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.
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.
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.
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