Week Journal 7 (26 May 2014)

Significant Situation 
Before this session, I graded the writing tasks my students made at home (1IGH5 class). I wrote some tips on their paper and gave them these back. During the lesson on Monday, I listed how many points they needed to get in order to get a sufficient and I what their grade is based on. I focused on: context, vocabulary, spelling, linking words, and grammar.

Reflection

It took quite some time (3 hours) to check all the writing assignments for this class, but I think it's good to give students individual feedback because not everybody makes the same mistakes. For example, some students needed help with their layout while others needed to revise their spelling. I wanted to make sure the students knew after this session what their strengths and weaknesses were with regards to writing a formal letter.

The effect was that students knew exactly what they needed to focus on in order to get a sufficient for their A2 writing test. Students also get individual feedback and knew how to better their English writing skills, but if they didn't they'd have the opportunity to ask me as I went to each student during this session to ask if they has any questions.

Most students asked me some questions about their feedback or they asked for advice on how to fix something I had crossed off. I think they thought it was a practical and beneficial approach of checking and giving feedback.

I did not get any feedback from this lesson. Though, students did thank me for checking their homework and for their tips.

This was important for me because I want students to learn from their mistakes and I want to give every student who tries their best my attention and consideration. What this says about me is that I want to be the kind of teacher who shows how much I want every single student to pass their test and to succeed.

My conclusions are that giving writing feedback may sometimes take quite some time to check, but it will help the students with their writing English skills in the end. Also, I've noticed that I am/want to be the kind of teacher who shows that she cares and takes her time to help students out.

My learning aim for next week is:
-N.A.

Internship Progress

Next week I'm going to be busy with orals so this will be my last week journal.
Thank you for reading all my weekly reflection blog. 

 -Ms. Henriquez  :)

Week Journal 6 (23 May 2014)

Significant Situation
Learning aims:
-To make class assignments that students can make independently during my lesson.

This week was a very different type of style of teaching for me, it involved a lot of careful planning. I did not teach in front of the class, but the students were present in the classroom and they had classwork. I made assignments that students could do on their own while I was busy doing the orals at another location. An example of such an example is given above.
I asked one student to be my Teaching Assistant that day in order to help me out. He or she wrote down who was present, made sure students were busy with their classwork and kept students in the classroom. This worked out quite well.

Reflection

I decided to ask the student who always attends my lessons, who is serious and who is taken seriously by his/her fellow classmates. I did this in order for students to not misbehave while I was busy with the orals. This helped me a lot since I didn't have to worry too much about the other students. I only checked in on them several times and they were busy working or if they were done with the assignment they were silently watching a movie on their laptops, which I allowed them to do.

The effect is that students knew exactly what they had to do and what they could do if they were finished with the class assignment. It was a very relaxed setting every time I checked in on the class (2IGH1).

I think the students really liked this type of 'lesson', because it was a very relaxed class and they didn't have to do too much if they were already finished with their classwork and their previous homework.

I asked the students at the end of the class if this setting was working for them and about the TA per lesson and they said that they really liked it because it was quiet and very mellow.

This situation is important to me because I was a bit worried that students would misbehave or skip class and not attend the lessons after my class. I didn't want that to happen so I was really happy when I saw that most students showed up to my lesson and attended the other lessons after my English lesson.

I am a teacher who likes to plan carefully by looking at the type of students I have in my class, their behavior and their level in order to pick a good TA.

To sum it up, sometimes a teacher needs to try out new ways of 'teaching' and let students help out when it necessary. Students need to be able to show that they can be responsible and teachers need to be able to give students the opportunity to show how responsible they can be.

My learning aim for next week is:
-N.A

Internship Progress

Next week, I only have two lessons on Monday. The rest of the week I'm off.
Until next week!

Week Journal 5 (16 May 2014)

 

Tips and Tops!

Significant Situation 
Learning aims:
-Report and attend a parent-teacher night.
-Report and attend Deltion's information night for new employees.

I attended both of these activities, but I'll only discuss the information night for new employees here.
During this information night I introduced myself to teachers from other sectors and we all met the director and the administration workers.

First, there was an introduction where all the teachers introduced themselves. Then we were split into two groups and we made a list of Deltion's tips and tops.

Secondly, we were given a guided tour of Deltion. We met some students from other departments during this tour, such as logistics students, and spoke to some of their teachers. This was very informative, because the army and companies sponsor different studies at Deltion, which can be seen from the logos, setting and materials. For example, the army is currently borrowing the aviation students a helicopter in order for them to practice working on up-to-date equipment and technology.

The helicopter!

Reflection

I decided to attend this gathering, because I still don't know a lot about the other sectors of Deltion. This was a great way to get to know more about Deltion.

I gave my input with regards to my first impressions of Deltion, which will help the director improve how new teachers are guided within the school.

This was important for me, because I wanted to find out more about Deltion. What is more, it was a great opportunity to get to know other teachers and to discuss the school with them.

What this says about me is that I am a curious teacher who wants to learn more about Deltion in order to understand what the school stands for. In order to help future students choose other studies, I need to know exactly what the possibilities are within Deltion.

My conclusion is that this was a very nice way to get to know other teachers, other studies and sectors that make up Deltion.

My learning aim for next week is:
-To make class assignments that students can make independently during my lesson.

Internship Progress

Next week, I'm going to be busy with 2IGH1 and 1IGH2's orals. That's why I need to design class assignments that students can make independently while I'm assessing the orals.
Until next week!

Week Journal 4 (9 May 2014)

Significant Situation 

During the A2 general writing test, one of my students asked for two dictionaries (EN-NE & NE-EN). I told him that he was supposed to bring them himself. He told me that he didn't know that he was allowed to and that I didn't tell him beforehand. I calmly told him that he was told in advance and that I could not lend him my dictionary. He got very upset and kept on saying that I could easily lend him my dictionary but that I simply didn't want to. Again, I calmly told him that I could not and that if he was not going to be quiet and finish his test, he needed to hand it in and get out because other students were busy with their tests. He got up, threw his test papers into the trash and left.

Reflection

I wasn't scared, because this student always had excuses for why he couldn't finish his homework or have his book with him. It was a surprise that he didn't want to finish his test, it was a surprise that he got so upset and threw the test into the trash can. I knew that I needed to stay calm in order to not disturb the other students and in order to not escalate the situation.

I really think if I wasn't so calm and clear about what I wanted him to do, it would have been a more serious situation. I also encouraged him to stay and finish the test, which was my way of saying I was giving him a second chance. It was just too bad he didn't take it, because from the looks of it he wasn't doing so badly.

Some students laughed when he stormed out of the room and when I grabbed the test from the trash, but others were too busy writing to worry about what was going on in the back of the room.

After this happened, I e-mailed his mentor and I spoke to my coach and the mentor. I got the feedback that I should have told the mentor straight away because he went home after my lesson. I don't know if that would have been a good idea since I still had 20 other students who were still busy with their tests.

This was important to reflect on, because I haven't had a serious situation like this happen during my lesson in a long time. I wrote this down because I want to remember what was said and how I reacted to this situation for future analysis.

What this says about me is that I want to be able to reflect and re-evaluate my progress through analysis in order to improve on my teaching skills and my pedagogic competence.

My conclusions are that I'm happy I stayed calm during a stressful situation that could have escalated into serious territory.

My learning aim for next week is:
-Report and attend a parent-teacher night.
OR
-Report and attend Deltion's information night for new employees.

Internship Progress

Next week, I'm going to be busy with my research. I'll be handing out my survey to teachers and students. In addition, I might be attending a parent-teacher night.
Until next week!