Observations further reflection
- 1. Castagneto, Luján PRACTICE II, DIDACTICS OF ELT AND PRACTICUM AT PRIMARY SCHOOL LEVEL. Prof. Adjunto Regular Estela N. Braun. Further reflection Observation 4: Would Martin provide some basis for case study analysis? Why/not? I think it does provide some basis for analysis because he didn’t learn anything during the lesson since he did not participate nor pay attention to what was going on; I consider this situation to be a major problem. At first I thought it was because, that day, he was the only boy who attended the class and the girls just talked to each other and not Martin, but during another class, even though he did participate, again he was getting ready to leave 10 minutes earlier and asked to go to the bathroom. He asked me the time when he came back expecting me to tell him it was time to go home but there was still some class time left. I’m not sure if he does not feel comfortable with the group since I haven’t seen him in distress or having trouble with his classmates. He seems rather bored and spends his time eagerly waiting to get home, where maybe he can play video games, watch TV or play with his friends. Observation 5: What did you think about the way in which students were assessed? I think the content of the test was fitting according to what they have studied and since it was an open-book test they could revise what they have done and see if they had completed all the activities in their notebooks, aslo Juan could check if they successfully grasp the concepts and had a meaningful learning experience. What I would’ve done differently was not to assess and grade the tests in class, instead I would give them a different activity to those who were finishing and handing their tests in, so as to avoid making them feel anxious about how they did because they started talking and worrying too much. Personally, I would not access them through a test, in this instance of the year, I would take into account their performance during the lessons, monitor their homework, and work in class; do a formative assessment through short quizzes without grades. What does the fact that they preferred Billie Eilish over Frozen background knowledge tell you about the group as a whole?
- 2. Castagneto, Luján Since they are pre-teens it is expected that they are no longer much interested in animated films but in musicians whose target audience are teens. They start to feel identified with them and see them as referents, they even imitate their style; I noticed 3 students whose hair is dyed, 2 of them green, just like Billie’s. At this age, the students go through numerous changes, physical, emotional, social and cognitives; they may experience overwhelming emotions as they try to fit in friend groups or try new clothes and styles, they want to become more independent. As teachers we must be there for them and help them understand these changes and try to guide them through them. Also, as they become more curious and willing to try new things, we must prepare challenging and stimulating materials paying attention to their fluctuating interests so they can develop their full potential. Observation 6: What did you think about Alexander’s reaction? Remind me to present this when we deal with Classroom Management. What would you have done differently if you were the teacher? I thought that Alexander's reaction was of a kid who is not used to being scolded nor taught about values such as the importance of equality, sharing, telling the truth and caring about others, and maybe he’s used to getting away with bad behaviour. I would do exactly as Juan did, but instead of sending him to the headmistress office I would tell him that he shouldn’t be angry and make him think about how he would feel if he was the one who was being lied to or if their classmates had gotten more candies than him; and if he continues to be angry I would still give all the students, him included, the instructions to the activities and hope that he’ll catch up with the rest of the class at some point when he stops being mad. Observation 7: You should expand on this observation with further comments as it is so important in terms of information. During this lesson, the second bubble corresponding to 6th Grade had the same tests as the first bubble. There were 7 students, 3 boys and 4 girls. Juan told them to work alone and that they could use their notebooks, Tiago asks him if he can share his materials with Fermín since he does not have his notebook; Juan answers that they can share but makes a remark about the importance of having their activities complete. As they hand in their tests, there’s a profound silence since the students respect their other classmates who are still doing the test and try not to make them lose focus. I can barely hear two of them talking in a whispery soft voice about the posters on the walls. When everybody finishes it’s almost time and they start to get ready for their much expected gym class, taking off their pinafores and putting them in their backpacks; Juan tells them that the next class they will start to work with the book “Follow your Trail 1”. They were supposed to work with the book in that class but they did not have time.
- 3. Castagneto, Luján Copy of the exam: Observation 8: Excellent observation and report of what went on during the lesson. How will you deal with Matias? Is he always accompanied by a Special Needs Teacher? Matías will not be attending my lessons since he’s in 4th Grade and I will be teaching 6th grade. But if he were attending my classes, I would make sure to prepare activities according to his needs with the help of the Special Needs teacher and look up information on Autism as much as I can. I do have some knowledge but in the future I would like to take courses so as to become a teacher to all students. Observation 9:
- 4. Castagneto, Luján What do you think about Juan’s case? What could the institution do about his case? Juan’s case broke my heart and made me feel powerless, angry and extremely sad. It made me question if I will be able to be a teacher and witness this kind of situations and be unable to fix them directly. I consider myself to be a very sensitive person so I get deeply affected by other people’s feelings, but at the same time I like to make people laugh and have a good time. I’ll have to grow a thicker skin and not let these awful situations affect me on a very personal level, and of course do everything within my reach to help students who are abused; as Juan does, I will talk to them and treat them in a sweet and nurturing way and report the case to the Institution. The institution should carry out the protocol: contact the families if it is a case of physical abuse and talk to them; do a diagnostic and interview with the victim and if the abuse continues, the institution must report the case to the authorities. If it is a case of sexual abuse, the institution must inmidiately report the case to the authorities. As teachers, if we observe that the school doesn’t report the case, we must personally do so. Also the institution must contact childhood assistance and social services in cases where the victim is in danger of returning home.