Taylors

University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase III)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

Day: Monday
Date: 9/2/2015
No. Reflection: 1
Subject: PSHE (Things Important to Yourself)
As planned last week, today I take over the PSHE lesson. This lesson is quite similar to
moral lesson. In this lesson, we taught values about students themselves. This week, it was
planned that hold an auction in the class. At first, I planned to set a budget for the students so that
they wont go over unrealistic numbers, but my mentor denied it. The lesson was mess up a bit
because many of the students gave unrealistic amount (which themselves cant even read it) in
the bid. However, we still manage to draw an end for the lesson.
To be honest, I am not satisfied with this first lesson in phase III. I did expect the students
to go all over the numbers when we did not set limit to them. I still felt sad and regret, as I know
this can be avoided. Next, I have a very complex feeling when my mentor unconsciously
interrupted the lesson. Most of it was because she spends lots of time in scolding the students and
she kept drew the students attention away from me.
On the other hand, I knew that she was actually wants to help me. I am very confuse as I
did not know how to talk to her, in a nicer way that did not offense her. Besides that, I was
thankful that she helped me to the plenary (although I felt sad and helpless for my lesson has
taken away at the end) because it cant be denied that her conclusion for that lesson was really
impactful.
Moving on, I found that the failure of this lesson was mainly on did not set the budget for
students and my mentor did not have enough trust on me. I found that this can be avoided if I
stick to my plan, but I must get my mentor agree too. Through this lesson, I realized that it was
actually not easy for me to take over my mentors lessons. The main reason was the difference in
our teaching approach.
I also realized that I did not communicate well with my mentor on my teaching part. I just
discussed with her about the lesson, but I did not tell her how will I going to carry out the lesson.
I was thinking to tell her about my approach but I scare it would offense her in some way (such
as for doing things my own way regardless her suggestion). Even though the lesson did not go
well, but I learnt a lesson through this experience. Which is I must stand firm on my opinion if I
found my opinion was correct.
Adding on to that, I also found that Marzanos on-task behavior of pacing the lesson
theory was really useful. I tried it out, pacing my lesson and play with the tone of voice (which I
learnt it from interpersonal communicationnon-verbal communication). The feedback from
students was satisfied. I observed that students were catchy with my speech when I play it with
the tone of voice.
Through this lesson I realized that my students were not hard to teach as I taught because
I thought that they would not really listen to me. I also found that they were actually respect me
(which I felt very happy and glad that my effort on building relationship with the students did not
waste) and I can see through from their eyes that they expect something new and different from
me. This gave me an enormous boost in my teaching duty.
As a conclusion, the lesson ends peacefully although it was consider as failure in the
process of the activity. I also learnt that I should stand up for my opinions next time. I found that
I must explain my opinion clearly if it really helps. I realized in deep of my heart that I have to
make a change. I really wish to achieve the expectation that my students put on me. My next
action is I have to be planned and figure out the most effective way to achieve the expectation on
me. So that it would become a win-win situation from both my mentor and students side.

Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase III)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

Day: Tuesday
Date: 10/2/2015
No. Reflection: 2
Subject: Art (Form and Value)
Today I take over the Art lesson. It was not a hard task but not easy either. It was a
shading lesson; it would be a bit hard for the children as they cant really tell how the light
reflects on an objects surface. I figure out the simplest way to teach the students. This time I ask
the students to imitate me after each part of the description. The lesson went well, but I find that
the students might be a little bit bored in drawing.
I was surprise that the lesson actually runs very smooth, and I felt exhilarated when the
lesson was run according to my plan. I felt as satisfied as most of the students did very well. I
was so please that the whole class manages to finish the shading and hand it in by the end of the
lesson. However, I still did not manage to stop my mentor from interrupting and scolding the
students. This was the only part that I felt a little bit fail in todays teaching. I was thinking that
perhaps I am still not firm enough, that make my mentor have to interrupt in between the lesson.
Next, the lesson for today went excellent. Students enjoy it and gave their corporation to
me, although they felt a bit bored (due to continuous 3 weeks of drawing). I found that using
labeling to teach the students how to shade was a good way to teach those who were not really
good at abstract thinking process. It gave them step by step instruction, and students can refers to
it went needed.
In this lesson, I decided to use watch then do approach. I realized that I chose the
correct approach in this lesson. This was because shading required a set of technique and there
were step for the technique. As I show and demonstrate to them how to shade, they got the
concrete example. When they drew by themselves, they all knew how to do and that made the
process become faster. In my opinion, this was the important step brought to this success, This
lesson convince me that there were times that we must use watch then do approach to achieve
the goals.
Like usually, I did use tone of voice as one of my important tools. Personally, I strongly
believed that play with the tone of voice is the essential tool for teacher. Besides that, I also
observed my students as I was teaching. Just like what I have read and learnt in my course,
observation is one of the direct feedbacks that teachers can get from the students (classroom
management: feedback). I observed that students show the word bored in their face when they
heard that they have to draw again. To overcome this problem, I only can chose to make fun of
myself to get their interest in the lesson.
Adding on, I realized that my style of teaching perhaps different from my mentors. This
might be the reason that she keeps interrupt in between the lesson. Not only that, I also found
that she was a bit over proactive towards me. For example, when I was giving instruction, the
students ask for repeat. She will interrupt and scold the students for not listening. This was
common situation that made her interrupt the lesson. I find that not necessary to do it every time
as it would waste a lot time on scolding and shouting the students.
All by all, this was the most successful lesson that I have been carried out so far. I learnt
that teaching technical stuffs preferable to use watch then do approach. This can guide the
students from step to step without wasting extra time on investigating something new. This
approach is especially good to use when there is a limit of time. I also learnt that it was true that
we can gain feedback by observing the students. This lesson also brought me to understand better
the difference in teaching between my mentor and mine. In the future, I must continue to discuss
with my mentor, I must let her be comfortable to let me take over her class without interrupt the
lesson. Although it was hard, but I will still continue to try out. I will also try to stand up on my
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Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase III)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

own as possible as I can. Last but not least, I will change the content of next week Art lesson to
something different then draw; perhaps I will be doing craft.

Day: Wednesday
Date: 11/2/2015
No. Reflection: 3
Subject: IPC (Rivers Features)
When I in the class, mentor suddenly informed me that I would take over the IPC lesson
for today. She shown me the website, and told me very briefly what to do. It was very shock
news; I was nearly having a heart attack. Without further delay, I used all the leftover time to
read through the content. My heart sinks as read through the content. To be honest, even I myself
dont understand what I am talking about during the lesson, neither does them. When the lesson
comes nearly to the end, my mentor finally takes over the lesson. Therefore, it was still managed
to draw a full stop for this lesson.
I knew that I was in a crab situation when I receive this task. I regretted for thinking
that IPC was an easy subject to teach. My mind was blank when I was reading the content, most
of it, I dont understand. The worse thing is I dont have sufficient time to search for it. I actually
taught the lesson with a blank mind, looking at the slides and I tried my best to explain the
contents (which most I have done were talking non-sense) to the students. I felt very sad. This
actually brings down my confident level in teaching, but I am glad that the students still gave
their cooperation with me.
I think back, and I found that it was my first time experiences such failure in the
classroom. I am glad that it happened now and not during my observation. I found that IPC was
as hard as English when comes to teaching. This was because IPC required lots of knowledge
about the world, including the geographical terms, places in the world, etc. This also stroke on
me that my knowledge about the world is too limited. Although it might be I dont have enough
time to prepare for the lesson as well.
As I think more deeply, I found that it was one of the current issues in Malaysias
government education. We been taught things and stuffs most only about Malaysia. Therefore,
many of us do not have the world-wide view ability. Our knowledge were stuck and limited
towards certain amount. I was really depressed as I learnt this. However, IPCthis subject
brought me the hope. I found that through this I will expand my knowledge about the mother
earth.
Besides that, I also realized that it was also my fault that leads the failure in this lesson. If
only I pay more concern towards the environment, the world that I am living in, I am sure that I
will find out more about it. It was my mistake to take IPC as an easy subject. This was the reason
that made me did not go through the lesson plan the day before the lesson. If I have gone through
the lesson plan at home, I might be searching for more resources and probably I can teach this
lesson well even though it was an unexpected lesson that given to me. I think this is the reason
why people always said teachers must always be prepared anytime, anywhere.
In conclusion, through this experience, I learnt that IPC required lots of geographical
knowledge around the world. I also learnt that I must prepare for the lesson that did not assigned
to me as well. Most importantly, I learnt that I must always be prepared for any lessons that I
might take over. To do this, I must have essential knowledge in many aspects such as geography,
history, world, etc. to support my teaching. Next time, I will make sure myself go through the
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Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase III)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

lesson plan one day before, even though I am not assigned to teach that lesson. I will also read up
and seek through national geography channels more frequently as most of the IPCs topics
related to geography and nature. One more thing I probably have to do is to talk my mentor and
discuss with her that I need more time to do my preparation as I am not very experiences.
Day: Thursday
Date: 12/2/2015
No. Reflection: 4
Subject: Literacy (Free Verse Poem)
This lesson supposedly was my first observation lesson, due to many factors the
observation was postponed, but I still carried out the lesson as I already prepared for it. I changed
my lesson plan in last minute as I decided to make some change on what I am going through now
(most of the time, I followed what my mentor suggested). I changed the lesson activity into a
combination of play and competition. I created a cue for the students (when I say
ATTENTION! they have to reply Yes, Sir! with action). As I carried out the lesson, I
observed that students enjoy it very much although it was a brand new way of learning for them.
The whole lesson went excellent. I was in control of the classroom, all the students participate,
and my mentor did not interrupt much during the lesson.
I felt very excited yet nervous at the same time when I enter the classroom. This was
because I suddenly change the lesson plan and activity in last minute. I cannot guarantee the
success rate of this brand new lesson plan as I never try it before. Honestly, I did felt a bit worry
when carry out the lesson. However, I was delighted when I saw students were so enjoyed in
doing the activity. Seeing their exhilarated expression I felt glad and relief for changing the
lesson plan and lesson activity. I felt so motivated when I my mentor told me that she like the
lesson that I just taught. I also felt very pleased that my style of teaching was accepted by the
students and my mentor. It was the most successful lesson I ever done so far. I am glad that my
effort put on this planning achieves my target.
According to my mentor, this was a very good lesson. When I introduce the topic to the
students, I can see the word bored wrote on their face. I cant blame the students because this
was their 6th or 7th lesson on poem. I observed this, and thats the reason I change my lesson plan
in last minute. I also observed that my mentor assigned individual task for the students for every
poem lesson. Therefore, I chose to do group work for this lesson. By holding the believed of
learner-centered approach, I put myself into their shoes and think about what they might want. I
tried to include their learning styles into the lesson.
Besides that, I also tried to apply the theories that I have learnt into my lesson plan. I
remember that both Piaget and Vygotsky support learning as a play and actively engage in the
activity. At the same time, I also need to bring up the students energy level and interest in the
lesson. As I refers to Marzanos on-task behavior on high-energy level theory, I found that one of
the ways was involves physical movement in the class. This was where I got my inspiration for
the lesson activity.
As I observe the process of the activity, I found that children in concrete operational stage
really like and love to move around. They will engage and participate in the activity if it is
interesting and involves a bit of physical movement. According to Jere Brophy, a leading
researcher on students motivation and effective teaching, positive challenge can enhance
students motivation in learning. This was exactly as what I have seen in the activity.
Adding on, I realized that mix ability grouping in this activity was the right choice. I
observed that students were carried out peer teaching when they were doing discussion. It also
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Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase III)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

made all the students participate in the activity. I have to admit that the success of this lesson
also brought by the Dynamic Instructional Design Model (developed by Robert Gagne) that I
used in my planning. As I follow the step, I slowly realized why know the learners was the first
step in the model. This was because the successfulness of the lesson was depends on the learners
in whole.
I realized that if I did not change the lesson plan and activity, I probably end up with a
lesson that the students fall into sleep. I might not get my confidence back as well (after the
yesterday incident). However, there is still a place for me to improve. Based on the feedback
from my mentor, I realized that I am not that good in doing plenary (which is one of the
important steps in instructional process). It was also good that I created a cue for students, so that
I can easily gain back the students attention when I called on the cue. I also learnt that I should
get all the students attention first before I continue giving out instruction during activity time.
As a conclusion, the lesson went very successful. I learnt that my way of teaching might
be different from my mentor but it does not mean that she cant accept it or the students cant
accept it. I also learn that having a structure or so-called model in planning instruction increase
the success rate of the lesson if well-support with sufficient of theories. I also learnt how to do a
good plenary from my mentor. One of things that I learnt was cueing could be a very good
classroom management strategy. For my next lesson, I will try to find out more interesting way
of teaching and include it into my lesson plan. I will also discuss with my mentor about my
plenary, so that I can also continue improve in my conclusion part in instructional process.
Day: Thursday
Date: 12/2/2015
No. Reflection: 5
Subject: IPC (Rivers: Meandering river)
I was doing IPC lesson again, it was continue the last lesson. Fortunately, this time I have
a little bit more time to do my preparation. I did lots of research on the meaning of many words
and search for more pictures (just in case my students still cannot understand after I explain to
them). The lesson was good and easy to understand. I think the most successful part was the
plenary part.
I was happy that I achieved the goal for todays lesson. I was glad that my plenary did
well, which also help me to check the students understanding on this lessons content. I was quite
shock that I can did the plenary well as it was my first time did the plenary on my own (before
this my mentor will took over because I am not so good in it). I also felt motivated when students
actually come to me and said nice lesson, Ms Keller. That moment, my heart melt, I felt so
touch.
I found that the plenary part was the part that made the lesson to be label as good.
Based on my observation, that was the only part where I actually check my students
understanding about the meandering river. Although I did made the students drew and copy the
forming process of meandering river, but I found that most of the students were copy blindly and
still did not know what they are copying.
Besides that, I also realized that my plenary part was also the only part that encourages
interaction between my students and I. I found that when I interact with the students, it seems
that they were more engaging in the lesson. In my plenary, I asked lots of questions to check
their understanding. I also clarify the whole process of how meandering river form by re-draw
the picture out but in my own way and in a very simple explanation. I observed that many
students only understand the process of how meandering river form during the plenary part. I
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Taylors University School Of Education

EDP 4026 Teaching Practical (Phase III)
Lo Wei Hui 0317284

realized that it was the drawing that helped me to deliver my message to the students.
This stroke on me about the way I explained the formation of meandering river was not
effective. Perhaps it was the way that I present the information not that attractive or it might be
the language level that I used did not matched with their level. If only I restructuring the content
and used simple words to explain to the students, I think the students might find the lesson more
interesting.
Adding on to that, this lesson also reminded me that checking students understanding is
very important because it was one of the way that teachers can see whether or not they achieve
the objective of the lesson. Although I was doing this unintentionally, but I was glad that I been
taught to ask cognitive engaging questions before (in my course). From one of the students
academic needs that listed out by Jonesgive students time to integrate learning, I applied this
in my plenary. I found that it was really used full and students were motivated.
All in all, I learnt that checking students understanding is very important. If I dont have
worksheet for the students, then I have to do my assessment through questioning. I also learnt
that instead of asking students shout out for the answer, I must give them time to think and
process the answer. I also realized that interaction with students is very important in the
classroom. In future, I will remind myself to have assessment on checking students
understanding. I will also continue to include high-order thinking questions into my lesson plan.