TEACHING PRACTICE PHASE 1- Fourth week

TEACHING PRACTICE WEEK 4 : Monday (04/08/2025) to Friday (08/08/2025)

REFLECTION ON SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

04/08/2025-Day 17

On the 17th day of my first phase of teaching practice, I reached the school by 9:00 am. After reporting to the office and signing the attendance register, I took up my assigned discipline duty in the High School section. Following the morning prayer, we settled in our allotted rooms.

Since it was Monday, I did not have any subject hours scheduled. A little later, my concerned subject teacher, Renija Miss, entrusted me with the responsibility of completing the attendance register and the Noon Feeding attendance register for her class. This task was a new learning experience for me, as I wasn’t previously aware that a separate register existed specifically for noon feeding attendance. I successfully completed both registers. During the third period, I observed my peer teacher trainee’s class for 8th standard students. Overall, it was a good session. The teacher used learning aids effectively, and the students displayed curiosity towards the topic, which is a positive sign. I would suggest paying more attention to maintaining the focus of the entire class throughout the lesson. Her voice modulation is excellent, which is truly an appreciable quality. Around midday, our Headmaster, Shyju Sir, shared a few important suggestions regarding the assembly we are to conduct on Wednesday in observance of Hiroshima Day. At 12:30 pm, we served lunch to the students as part of our daily routine. During the 5th period, I was assigned the duty of escorting the 7th standard students to the library. I utilized this time to engage them in a short session where I introduced them to the national flags of different countries, which they found quite interesting. Later, 6th and 7th period I had a substitution period in Class 9B. I attempted to teach a brief topic, but could not proceed with a full session, as most of the students were involved in a dance practice and were not present in the classroom. After the national anthem, we signed the attendance register and left the school.

05/08/2025- Day 18

We arrived at school by 9:30 AM, signed the attendance register, and took up our discipline duty. Since we had planned to conduct an assembly the next day to commemorate Hiroshima Day, we discussed potential programs that students could participate in, such as speeches, poem recitations, and storytelling. Second period I had class in 9B, and a taught topic Role of liver and pancreas in digestion. Also my peer teacher trainee, Akshaya, came to observe my class and provided constructive feedback and suggestions. During the third period, I got a substitution in 6A. I engaged the students in some fun game activities. We also invited them to express their interest in participating in the assembly through speech, poem recitation, or storytelling.

After serving lunch to the students, I had a substitution class in 8A during the fifth period. As part of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), the school provides milk to students twice a week. Akshaya and I were assigned the duty of distributing milk to the students. We then prepared the programme list for the Hiroshima Day assembly and discussed it with the school’s Social Science teacher, Jayakumar Sir. The list was given to the anchor. After the national anthem, we signed the attendance register and left the school.

06/08/2025- Day 19

We, the four teacher trainees, reached school by 9:15 a.m. and signed the attendance register. Today, we were in charge of conducting the school assembly as part of our teaching practice week. Since it was Hiroshima Day, we arranged the programmes and students accordingly. We connected the speaker and microphone to the phone and made all the necessary arrangements. Amana of Class 10 was the anchor. The assembly began with the prayer, followed by the pledge. Amana then invited Vaishnav of Class 10 to recite the Malayalam poem ഹിരോഷിമയുടെ ഓർമ്മ by കെ. സച്ചിദാനന്ദൻ. After that, Abhijith of Class 10 delivered a speech about the importance of the day. I felt proud when he delivered the speech that I had written for him—he had memorised it so well and presented it fluently.

Next, Arpitha of Class 6 recited a poem, followed by Hiba from Class 7, who shared the story of the girl Sadako Sasaki. We presented her with the paper crane as symbol of peace that we had made as part of the programme. We also arranged a poster presentation which made by students in the assembly . This was followed by a Zumba dance by the JRC students. It was noticeable that students from the pre-primary, LP, and UP sections actively participated in the Zumba—it served as both entertainment and a warm-up for the day. Afterwards, our HM, Shyju Sir, spoke about the world wars and the importance of peace. The programme concluded with a message from Social Science teacher Jayakumar Sir. The HM and other teachers appreciated us for conducting a well-organised assembly.

In the 2nd period, my peer teacher trainee Akshaya conducted a diagnostic test in Class 9C, and I assisted her. At noon, we served lunch to the students. In the 6th period, I got a substitution in Class 8B and conducted a diagnostic test there. I distributed the question papers, gave the necessary instructions, and collected the answer sheets. Akshaya assisted me during this test as well.

It was truly a happening and fulfilling day. After the national anthem, we signed the attendance register and left the school.

07/08/2025 - Day 20

We, the teacher trainees, reached school by 9:30 a.m. and signed the attendance register, then proceeded to our allotted classrooms. In the first period, I had my concerned class, 8B. The students were excited to receive their test feedback and repeatedly asked for their papers. I distributed the checked diagnostic test papers so they could self-evaluate and understand their mistakes. In the 3rd period, I got a substitution in Class 10A. In the 5th period, I had my concerned class, 9B, but only got half an hour, so I used the time to give them notes. In the 6th and 7th periods, I had substitution in Class 9A. I made the students read their textbook and also gave them some related activities. After the national anthem, we signed the attendance register and left the school.

08/08/2025- Day 21

We reached school by 9:30 a.m. and signed the attendance register.

In the first period, I had class in 8B. As their class teacher was absent, the HM assigned me as the class in-charge, so I took the attendance of the students. Then Jayakumar Sir came to the class and gave instructions regarding the upcoming class election on 14th August. He also distributed nomination forms, and since I was the class in-charge, Sir asked me to fill in the nomination papers for the candidates and hand them over to him.

I collected the details of each candidate. The procedure was similar to a parliament election — each nominee needed a proposer and a seconder. I recorded their details and collected their signatures in the forms. There were six candidates for the class election in my class. The students were very excited to give their signatures, which created a lively atmosphere. Once completed, I handed over the filled forms to the concerned teacher.

Later, we were assigned to assist the UP teachers in arranging classrooms for the Deepika Colouring Competition, scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. After lunch, the competition started. I was given the duty of capturing photos and videos of the competition in the LP, UP, and HS sections. The students were very talented — LP students got colouring sheets with pictures of cats and a girl with balloons, UP students coloured an image of Nehru with a child, and HS students coloured a forest-themed picture that included a lion and a cheetah. This event was part of the Deepika Newspaper’s “Colour India” competition.

Following this, there was a quiz competition organised by the Department of Dairy Development. The first prize went to Anushma of Class 9, the second to Sneha Lekshmi of Class 9, and the third to Abhijith of Class 10. Afterwards, an essay competition for HS students was conducted on the topic of dairy development. Finally, a pencil drawing competition was held. Teacher trainee Gopika and I were assigned to observe the UP section students. It was an enjoyable experience, with some students displaying great skill while others were still learning. The topic for the drawing was “Grazing Cow and Calf.” Today was a day filled with activities. After the national anthem, we signed the attendance register and left the school.

CURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

During this week, I taught students of 9th standard using the prepared teaching manual from their respective chapter. For 9th standard students, I handled topiC from the chapter Digestive System and Transport of Nutrients, which included the Role of liver and pancreas in digestion. Also 6th period on 7th August I conducted diagnostic test in 8B.Appropriate teaching aids like slides and activity cards were used. Reflective journal for the week was also completed.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

As part of extracurricular activities, we organised a school assembly to observe Hiroshima Day. Students actively participated in poem recitations, speeches, and poster-making. In addition, the Deepika Colouring Competition – Colour India – was conducted, along with quiz, essay writing, and pencil drawing competitions organised by the Department of Dairy Development. Overall, the week was productive with effective active student engagement and vibrant school activities.

REFLECTION OF PEER OBSERVATION

Overall, the class was good and it was a well-conducted session. Learning aids were used effectively, and the content was delivered clearly, with relevant examples that enhanced students’ understanding. However, the blackboard could be utilized a bit more effectively. One suggestion is to incorporate more questions throughout the lesson to check and maintain students’ attentiveness.

OVERALL REFLECTION ON CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE

This week, I taught only one topic in class 9B and conducted a diagnostic test in the concerned class 8B. One teaching manual was completed effectively. As it was ICT-based, I used slides and pictures to deliver the content. I gained many new experiences and knowledge this week, which I can apply in the coming days. I also noticed self-improvement in my classroom performance.

Diagnostic test