On Krn's Micro-teaching
Hi hi, the following are some brief thoughts arising from Krn's micro teaching last Fri (2 Sep 05), from an observer's point of view.
Level: Sec 3 Exp
Topic: Tropical Rainforest
Things done well / Good practices :
1. Use of whiteboard
Asked if students can see what she wrote on the white board.
2. Beginning of lesson
Started off by revising what was learnt in the last lesson (climates), in particular the climate of Singapore. Then list out objectives of this lesson.
3. "Very good"
Gave compliments when students supplied right answers. I adore such teachers.
4. Directing students
Directed students to the answers she wanted by asking relevant qns (eg: Does Sin have seasons? And even listing out the 4 seasons when student gave answers she did not want).
5. Handout
Checked that everyone received the handout after she got KF to give it out. Even remembered to give the handouts to the 2 students who came in halfway thru the lesson.
6. Fill in the blanks
Instructed students to fill in blanks in worksheet, and telling them they have to be kept in their portfolio, to be handed in for assessment. This would ensure students comply. She checked on their progress as well.
7. Soft wood vs hard wood
Promised to bring pieces of hard wood and soft wood to show students on next lesson when students do not know the difference. She mentioned mahogany which is to make furniture. Also promised to get back to the question on what epiphytes and lianas are for.
8. Prepares student + getting their attention at the same time
She said a few times "Are you ready?" & "Can we start the game now?"
9. All at once
When dealing with many incidents at the same time, she prioritized them. She ignored the pen throwing, stood in front of Lly who was complaining about KF, while ordering Rezal back to his seat, then went back to handle Lly. Wow!
10. "Help me..."
KF threw Lly's Bingo game sheet on the floor and refused to pick it up. But Krn said, "Help me pick it up then." KF could not possibly refuse that request to help her out. I thought this was really well-done.
11. Picts
Most picts on the ppt were superb, esp the buttress root and the drip tip ones.
12. Disciplining students
I thought her classroom management style would be great for mature and self-disciplined students. She was never harsh, not even to the pair of the lying girls. And she did not raise her voice at all. But yet, she shows firmness using her body language (esp with her meaningful eyes, when she looked at whoever she was speaking to). She also stopped talking when noise level went up, so that students will hush themselves up.
But then, this became one major flaw in her teaching, because this class did not deserve this kind of 'respect'. (Refer to next section)
13. Missing students
It was alert of Krn to notice the missing student (although only Lly & not CY), and she quickly got Jo to take attendance (and she said thank you as well). 5 mins later, she remembered the missing student and asked if anyone knew where she went.
This would again become a problem because nothing was done after that. (Refer to next section)
Things that can be improved on:
1. Voice
She needs to increase her volume in general. Especially when students have yet to stop talking/laughing. A few times, her voice was drowned by laughter. (eg when giving instructions on the game of BINGO)
2. Classroom management
She has to be stricter with the students who have done something wrong. If not, the same thing will repeat. Students often test a teacher's comfort zone, by creating bits of nonsense here and there. And if unchecked, they get more and more daring and more and more rowdy. And very soon, things go out of control.
If wanna give the student chance, can try giving blanket warning to entire class (eg I do not want to see ... occurring again etc). If not, when you need to deal with the next 'offender', he can claim "the other time you also never punish so and so wat, why punish me now...?" [TPP tip]
3. Missing students
This could potentially lead to a serious problem since we can never be sure what mischief the missing students could be up to. Worst case scenario? Endless possibilities.
4. BINGO vs luck
Rewarding the lucky student? A no-no.
5. Choice of diagram/pic
Used an artist impression of the layers in the TRF.
Also the pic of the forest (the canopy and emergents) can be used side by side with a good diagram (of the different layers) to help understanding.
6. End of lesson
She said that when she finished teaching but about to get into the game of BINGO. So students cheered, thinking she has finished with them.
7. Map
For a while, Krn was talking to the map while pointing at it. Not looking at students to see if they are following.
8. Front of class
While Krn was very alert to what was happening at the noisiest table (thought Ken was sick when he was exceptionally quiet), she either did not notice or chose to ignore some incidents in front. Eg KF was later left alone at table, everyone else had fled that table.
9. Mindmapping (in Lesson Plan)
A pity this could not be carried out due to time constraint. This would reinforce what was learnt.
10. Too wordy
Slides were too wordy. Shorter sentences or phrases would have worked better. Also possible to underline the words students must fill up in the blanks.
Yep yep, the list is very long. So wanna put them here before discussing some of them in class.
SW
Level: Sec 3 Exp
Topic: Tropical Rainforest
Things done well / Good practices :
1. Use of whiteboard
Asked if students can see what she wrote on the white board.
2. Beginning of lesson
Started off by revising what was learnt in the last lesson (climates), in particular the climate of Singapore. Then list out objectives of this lesson.
3. "Very good"
Gave compliments when students supplied right answers. I adore such teachers.
4. Directing students
Directed students to the answers she wanted by asking relevant qns (eg: Does Sin have seasons? And even listing out the 4 seasons when student gave answers she did not want).
5. Handout
Checked that everyone received the handout after she got KF to give it out. Even remembered to give the handouts to the 2 students who came in halfway thru the lesson.
6. Fill in the blanks
Instructed students to fill in blanks in worksheet, and telling them they have to be kept in their portfolio, to be handed in for assessment. This would ensure students comply. She checked on their progress as well.
7. Soft wood vs hard wood
Promised to bring pieces of hard wood and soft wood to show students on next lesson when students do not know the difference. She mentioned mahogany which is to make furniture. Also promised to get back to the question on what epiphytes and lianas are for.
8. Prepares student + getting their attention at the same time
She said a few times "Are you ready?" & "Can we start the game now?"
9. All at once
When dealing with many incidents at the same time, she prioritized them. She ignored the pen throwing, stood in front of Lly who was complaining about KF, while ordering Rezal back to his seat, then went back to handle Lly. Wow!
10. "Help me..."
KF threw Lly's Bingo game sheet on the floor and refused to pick it up. But Krn said, "Help me pick it up then." KF could not possibly refuse that request to help her out. I thought this was really well-done.
11. Picts
Most picts on the ppt were superb, esp the buttress root and the drip tip ones.
12. Disciplining students
I thought her classroom management style would be great for mature and self-disciplined students. She was never harsh, not even to the pair of the lying girls. And she did not raise her voice at all. But yet, she shows firmness using her body language (esp with her meaningful eyes, when she looked at whoever she was speaking to). She also stopped talking when noise level went up, so that students will hush themselves up.
But then, this became one major flaw in her teaching, because this class did not deserve this kind of 'respect'. (Refer to next section)
13. Missing students
It was alert of Krn to notice the missing student (although only Lly & not CY), and she quickly got Jo to take attendance (and she said thank you as well). 5 mins later, she remembered the missing student and asked if anyone knew where she went.
This would again become a problem because nothing was done after that. (Refer to next section)
Things that can be improved on:
1. Voice
She needs to increase her volume in general. Especially when students have yet to stop talking/laughing. A few times, her voice was drowned by laughter. (eg when giving instructions on the game of BINGO)
2. Classroom management
She has to be stricter with the students who have done something wrong. If not, the same thing will repeat. Students often test a teacher's comfort zone, by creating bits of nonsense here and there. And if unchecked, they get more and more daring and more and more rowdy. And very soon, things go out of control.
If wanna give the student chance, can try giving blanket warning to entire class (eg I do not want to see ... occurring again etc). If not, when you need to deal with the next 'offender', he can claim "the other time you also never punish so and so wat, why punish me now...?" [TPP tip]
3. Missing students
This could potentially lead to a serious problem since we can never be sure what mischief the missing students could be up to. Worst case scenario? Endless possibilities.
4. BINGO vs luck
Rewarding the lucky student? A no-no.
5. Choice of diagram/pic
Used an artist impression of the layers in the TRF.
Also the pic of the forest (the canopy and emergents) can be used side by side with a good diagram (of the different layers) to help understanding.
6. End of lesson
She said that when she finished teaching but about to get into the game of BINGO. So students cheered, thinking she has finished with them.
7. Map
For a while, Krn was talking to the map while pointing at it. Not looking at students to see if they are following.
8. Front of class
While Krn was very alert to what was happening at the noisiest table (thought Ken was sick when he was exceptionally quiet), she either did not notice or chose to ignore some incidents in front. Eg KF was later left alone at table, everyone else had fled that table.
9. Mindmapping (in Lesson Plan)
A pity this could not be carried out due to time constraint. This would reinforce what was learnt.
10. Too wordy
Slides were too wordy. Shorter sentences or phrases would have worked better. Also possible to underline the words students must fill up in the blanks.
Yep yep, the list is very long. So wanna put them here before discussing some of them in class.
SW
posted by S W at
10:42 pm
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