SCHOOL INTERNSHIP : WEEK 7 (4 December 2023 - 8 December 2023)

           DAY 30 - 4 December 2023

           The unexpected observation 

                    And its day 30.

The day began with my period in 8H. Surprisingly, Omanasheelan Sir came for observation today. I totally did not expect him to come today. But thankfully I had my lesson plans and teaching aids ready. I was fully prepared to teach using the pedagogy that he had suggested. I taught them the last lines of the poem "First Showers". A group discussion was then initiated and the students presented their answers. The pedagogy was really effective and Sir was happy with how the class went. 

A new poem "Prayer in Spring" was started in 9K. The is the last lesson that I have to teach them. It is a philosophical poem by Frost. I discussed it in the most simple words. It wasn't very easy though; maybe because I have not taught many such poems.

It was a pretty calm day today. Classes went well and observation was also complete. This time, I was much more confident than I was in my first observation class.

          DAY 31 : 5 December 2023

    A 'not so successful' teaching model !

I took my second model lesson plan today at 8H - The Concept Attainment Model - to teach them Adverbs. Adverbs were given as positive exemplars and verbs as negative exemplars. The model was not really effective with respect to the language and the knowledge level of the students. They initially could not identify the exemplars and their types. I had to give extra examples and detailed explanation, starting right from the eight parts of speech . I somehow managed to teach them the concept. The class did not go exactly as per the model lesson plan.

A grammar lesson on prepositions was taken for the students of 9K. There too, most students had difficulty with the basic concepts in grammar. But since the topic was not so difficult, the class went smooth and the textual exercises were also done. An innovative model was employed in this lesson.

           DAY 32 : 6 December 2023

             Assessing the difficulties 

The diagnostic test for 8H was conducted today. I prepared a question paper with 20 objective type questions, along with four options for each question. It was clear from the achievement test already conducted that grammar is the most difficult area for them in English. Inorder to find out the most problematic topic in grammar, I decided to frame questions that cover four different areas in grammar - parts of a sentence, prepositions, tense and articles. Five questions from each topic were included. This was done to identify the area that needs the most attention so that remedial teaching may be given in that area to the students. 

Active and Passive voice was taught to the students in 9K. I prepared the lesson systematically in a way that the concept is simple and clear to them. I was so happy with how the class went. I was able to make them convert sentences from active to passive voice using five easy steps. I was really satisfied with the class. 

           DAY 33 - 7 December 2023

   Grammar - not a cakewalk for students

Now that the majority portions for the Christmas exam were complete, there is ample time for revision. I thought of completing the textbook activities too, before moving on to revision. The students in 8H had much difficulty with grammar. So I decided to devote half of my class time to familiarise the grammar topics that they have most difficulty in. I was content when students personally approached me and thanked me for teaching them grammar.

This actually left me with the thought that there should be special periods for grammar lessons alone. The lack of necessary base in grammar affects the students' ability to frame answers for the prose and poetry lessons in their syllabus.

The students in 9K are better when it comes to the base in English grammar. Since most of their grammar topics are already completed by their teacher, I revise it whenever I get time.

           DAY 34 - 8 December 2023

            The unpleasant surprises !

Today, when I thought all the portions at 8H are done and dusted, my supervising teacher informed me that there is one more chapter that is to be covered for the December exams. I had enquired about this chapter before, but the reply that I got was that it was not there for the exam. Now that the teacher said the contrary, I felt a bit anxious since the exams begin next week. I lost one of my periods to the class teacher of 8H since she had portions to be finished. I somehow managed to get a substitution hour and literally rushed with the lesson. Since many of the  students would be on study leave the coming Monday, I had to teach the lesson quickly, but at the same time without compromising the content. I somehow managed to complete half the lesson. Simple text reading and explanation procedure was followed. I was happy that atleast the major points and the crux of the lesson were taught to them. Revision was done for the students of 9K.