My Observations & Reflections on Other Teachers Lessons Day 5

Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 15 October 2012 Prep NUMERACY: Groups

No of Students

21

The sessions outcome students to make groups with toys/blocks and able to answer whether they are equal or the same was very effective. Stephanie is skilled at using her floor introduction time to great effect for the remaining procedure time. She holds her students attention with her own enthusiasm for learning and manages behaviour well with various strategies. She has shown me the value of the small sandwich board style of whiteboard which sits at the floor zone constantly. On it Stephanie ran a mini lesson on how to group objects mathematically. The visual nature of it and the close proximity of the children to her and her teaching resources and examples, made for an engaging segment. From here the students, settled and understanding the concept, moved onto their tables and achieved an impressive amount of work during procedure time.

Day 6
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 16 October 2012 Prep NUMERACY: Fractions

No of Students

21

The sessions outcome introducing the concept of fractions (halving) was very effective. What stood out was Stephanies obvious skill (beyond her years of age and teaching) at delivering instructions clear, precise, and reinforced with repetition and classroom management. She rewards and encourages her class, not just punishing them. She does not show any sense of being out of control. They feel safe and secure with her and in most cases respond accordingly. If I was a student in her class I would have learned well because of her motherly calm and control. Interestingly, this causes me to reflect on the role of father being especially important for me at this prep age because my own father was absent. So I was significantly impacted and more reliant than usual on male role models. I pray I am a good male teacher, winning the affection, and desire and best effort of my students to learn.

Day 7
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 17 October 2012 Prep LITERACY: Handwriting

No of Students

21

Sessions outcome completing pages for d, e & f with correct formation and neatness was fairly effective. Most children finished or came close to completing the three pages in their handwriting booklet. However, Stephanie could improve her approach by making firmer and more motivating calls for best effort, offering strategy for doing so and then following it up. I do like and have adopted the way Stephanie wins their enthusiasm and desire to learn. It sparks the thought passion for learning needs to come from teacher first. I wont be able to expect a future class of students to follow instructions, or respond in a certain way if I am not willing myself. A good example: for me not to say, I want this to be your greatest work ever! if I am not willing as the teacher do give my greatest lesson e ver.

Day 8
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 18 October 2012 Prep No of Students CHRISTIAN STUDIES: Chapel Rehearsal

21

The sessions outcome successfully rehearsing all speaking lines and group singing for Prep Ds running of Chapel was effective. Stephanie carries an inner confidence that benefits her when unforeseen circumstances threaten to hijack her lesson. Gear left on the stage left minimal room to rehearse and two students began crying over a non-issue. However, Stephanie didnt lose more than several seconds of pause, before she calmly gave fresh instructions to her group, never giving them a hint of frustration, feeling out of control or putting down others who had used the room before them. She carries herself with integrity. In a space full of distractions Stephanie also demonstrated the importance of securing eye contact from every child before continuing to speak. Perhaps she prays privately across lessons and her teaching day, but I would love to see Stephanie stop in these moments and pray aloud with her class. There are times when changing circumstances are being influenced by dark spiritual forces and to help our children (without scaring them) develop their discernment early in an invaluable gift.

Day 9
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 19 October 2012 Prep LITERACY: Handwriting Booklet

No of Students

21

Outcome Students to form three chosen letters correctly & write multiple words &sentences using given sounds was ineffective. Several children did not begin working in their booklet quickly and at whisper level. This meant the class for the first 10 minutes of procedural time was distracted, off-task & not completing an acceptable level of work. Root of problem was missed by Stephanie I think during floor introduction time where those same culprit students were acting out but not addressed quickly and firmly enough by Stephanie. She also did not give very clear expectations as they left for their table groups. Being the period following Lunch deep into the school week, students and teachers are tired and not necessarily functioning at their best. It taught me when there are elements of lethargy in room, I need to pick up on it fast, and get the class active; be it a brief jog outside or stretching inside. I will pray daily the Holy Spirit makes me aware of the moments I am off track or losing my kids.

Day 10
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Mrs Robinson Lighthouse Christian College 22 October 2012 Prep No of Students PE: Throwing and Catching (contd)

22

The sessions outcome to improve their throwing and catching using strategies and beanbags was very effective. Mrs Robinson is fantastic at choosing when to make an issue of a students poor choices and behaviour, and when to let it slide. It seems her decision making here is based on what best serves the continued flow and learning outcomes within her planned lesson. I think at this stage I dont let much slide, but perhaps this decision is wise in my present context as pre-service teacher without full, recognised authority. As much as the lesson continued to flow and the lesson outcomes were achieved, she could improve by offering more one-on-one attention, coaching and affectionate encouragement during the multiple moments where the students are more independently involved in an activity.

Day 11
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 23 October 2012 Prep LITERACY: Seashores Big Book

No of Students

22

Stephanie is very encouraging. She helps the quiet, unsure ones to offer their thoughts and have a turn participating during discussion. She also improved on a previous lesson by clearly stating her expectation for the kind of behaviour and attitude (focus) she was after for the lesson. The session was effective because she provided or struck a perfect balance of management, scaffolding and ongoing support. Her mixture of firmness, vision and encouragement kept the students engaged. I would have learned well had I been one of the students, especially because she wouldnt have let me drift off and lose focus.

Day 12
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 24 October 2012 Prep LITERACY: Handwriting

No of Students

22

The sessions outcome completing handwriting at personal high standard was not met. Stephanies intro explained and modelled well her writing expectations (method and quality formation). However, she did not give clear behaviour expectations. Consequently, she wasted time managing behaviour, e.g. calling out and wandering students. This led to distracting students from writing at their best level of output and neatness. Stephanie was also unable to spend helpful one-on-one time with students who need help correcting letter formation and pencil grip. A lesson reminder is the introductory clearly stated behaviour expectations are paramount for a successful lesson. Get it wrong and the students take advantage. I will pray that god keeps me abiding with Him where I can remain sustained in my energies and not in an unnecessary tired state neglect the beginnings of my lessons.

Day 13
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Mrs Grohlman Lighthouse Christian College 25 October 2012 Prep No of Students MUSIC: Identifying instruments aurally

22

Mrs Grohlman excels in the way she places high expectations on her students almost nonchalantly, as if that is normal. All the students today except for one responded obediently and with low level behaviour management required. This freed up more time for instruction and fun activity. I am going to aim to adopt this approach as I often run out of time with segments of a lesson. This strategy I have observed may provide me as much as five minutes extra each period that I would otherwise not have at my disposal. Mrs Grohlman engaged the preps immediately once in the class with an impressive Sesame Street clip based around Peter and the Wolf with puppets and a real orchestra. Personifying each instrument in the context of a story was extremely effective way of helping students identify and recall individual instruments. I want to build up a bank of quality resources, including clips already downloaded on memory stick like Mrs Grohlman does, so as not to be at the mercy of fickle internet provision.

Day 14
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Samantha Woods Lighthouse Christian College 29 October 2012 Prep PE: Skipping safely in the sun

No of Students

22

The sessions outcome Students to understand and describe guidelines for safe skipping in the sun was effective. Students were engaged with her worksheet and practice activity. Samantha brings a fun attitude into her lessons which the students respond positively to. She teaches with a balance of firm discipline and public encouragement of those students who give their best effort and show obedience to her instructions. I like how she pays attention to the individual and well as the group. I have noticed some teachers lead their group well, but not so well down at the personal one-to-one level. I think this latter style describes me; however I want to improve the quality of attention I give to each individual. By making improvements here I think I will improve my differentiation of lessons as I believe the foundation of good differentiation involves actual one-to-one time spent with as many students as possible each lesson in order to improve the teachers teaching of that student.

Day 15
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Mrs Grohlman Lighthouse Christian College 30 October 2012 Prep No of Students MUSIC: Christmas Carol Practice

22

The sessions outcome students to become further familiar and confident to perform Christmas carols was very effective. Mrs Grohlman is both passionate and firm with the children. Consequently she captures and holds their attention for the full lesson. She is thoughtful of other teachers in the way she came to collect the students, even though it was Stephanie and Is responsibility. Further example is how she stays with the kids over lunch eating in our classroom on their return from music, when she is under no obligation to do so. She loves what she does. I pray the Lord helps my passion and a care for my colleagues to be a hallmark of my teaching career.

Day 16
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 31 October 2012 Prep LITERACY: Handwriting

No of Students

22

The sessions outcome completing the next pages in Handwriting booklet with correct formation and neatness was fairly effective. Most children finished or came close to completing the allotted pages in their handwriting booklet. I wonder if Stephanie could improve her lesson here twofold: Giving clear expectation and motivation for best effort, otherwise the exercise becomes a bit of a baby-sitting type of activity. Also, pay closer attention to individuals as there are several I have observed have dire pencil grips.

Day 17
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Mrs Arias Lighthouse Christian College 1 November 2012 Prep SPANISH: Counting

No of Students

22

Sessions outcome completing the counting to five worksheet was achieved. Mrs Arias excels in her competency, especially impressive for an Aussie who has gone and learned the language. She also manages her students very well, conditioning them to behave appropriately and give their best effort. I would advise her to engage them as individuals more often, otherwise her approach and teaching style which borders on didactic could start to wane and lose results as the children become bored deeper into the curriculum. More interactive activities that put onus on them to speak and converse in Spanish please!

Day 18
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Sam Woods Lighthouse Christian College 2 November 2012 Prep PE: Basic Skipping technique

No of Students

22

Sam knows how to get her students onside from the start. She finds something to encourage them with, e.g. how they are lining up. She rewards them publically making big deal about it. This get her children excited to learn, feeling good about themselves, and surreptitiously Sam has conditioned them to make positive, wise decisions. She is very competent & a confident demeanour has all in the room captivated by her delivery and trusting what she is teaching.

Day 19
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 7 November 2012 Prep NUMERACY: Test

No of Students

22

Stephanie got the best out of her students in this test for she chose to run it when they still had energy and explained it well, down to the details. I love how she encourages them, putting them at ease to give their best and not worry about results. She has wise thoughts to share, for example on reason students would listen to her and decide that it is not worth cheating. Stephanie says I dont want to know what the person next to you can do, I want to know what YOU can do! The child feels special and believed in. A great approach to getting the best out my future students instead of fear-based consequences threatened upon them.

Day 20
Pre-service Teacher Supervising Teacher School Date Year / Level Topic / focus Louis Crawford Stephanie Dunkerley Lighthouse Christian College 8 November 2012 Prep NUMERACY: Groups

No of Students

22

The sessions outcome students to make groups with toys/blocks and able to answer whether they are equal or the same was very effective. Stephanie is skilled at using her floor introduction time to great effect for the remaining procedure time. She holds her students attention with her own enthusiasm for learning and manages behaviour well with various strategies. She has shown me the value of the small sandwich board style of whiteboard which sits at the floor zone constantly. On it Stephanie ran a mini lesson on how to group objects mathematically. The visual nature of it and the close proximity of the children to her and her teaching resources and examples, made for an engaging segment. From here the students, settled and understanding the concept, moved onto their tables and achieved an impressive amount of work during procedure time.s