Observation on Teachers

Planning for teaching 

    For me, classroom is like a battle field. You need to target different kinds of people with different kinds of weapon like methods and strategies in different kinds of situation; and you can do that if you have complete armour ready for you before entering the battle zone. 

    Teachers here are always updating their plans for the needs of their diverse students. I can see how focused they are in their tables after each classes and if they have spare time waiting for another class, they are all doing the "teacher thing" which is the endless paper works only for the betterment and growth of their students. 

     They checked how a subject matter should be taught with the kind of capacity the student have or rehearsing the presentation in advance of the lesson. I also observed how they plan to use skill or method to work from simple to complex or complex to simple, one step at a time.  

 Preparing lessons and materials 

         Before they set foot in the classrooms, they make sure that they got what they have for each. I also noticed that they make sure to prepare all the materials needed like laboratory apparatuses or equipment prior to the day it will be used and checked if it is in their useful condition. 

     They also have the materials arranged conveniently and within reach. Another thing I observed is that if they have worksheet activities prepared for students it is supposed to be like 3 or 2 days before the date it is taken. What I meant is, the degree of preparation I just saw not only for my mentor, or cooperating teacher, but to all teachers I have worked here and I have mingled in the office shared the same amount of diligence, patience and perseverance to set a good table of knowledge for their beloved students and target their minds especially their hearts the values needed to face the real world outside the school grounds. Through that complete kind of armour (planning) they tend to win the so-called everyday battle. 

Here's a little clip as to how student-teachers prepare the students in their upcoming competition.

Teaching in class 

  

     As soon as the teacher starts teaching inside the class, she possesses a good performance. They explain each step or process before proceeding to the other. They also follow their lesson plans which is good for me who is observing so that I can follow their progress. They also make it sure that every students can see, hear and understand her by asking always, ―do you understand?

     While the teacher’s teaching also inside the class, they never forget to use proper instructions and aid like PowerPoint Presentation to support the discussion and most of all to summarise the key points before the class ends.  

Kru Malai using audio and visual resources while discussing the topic in a powerpoint presentation

Measurement and Evaluation 

      During the observation, teachers have different style in evaluating their students. Some are good in verbal, some are good in writing, and some are good in problem-solving. That is why, an authentic assessment and evaluation is effective with the various kinds of learning style the students have.

 

A sample rubric for speaking and listening.