The last day, Friday 15th

Today has been my last day in the school. I have finished my teaching unit and I think I did a good job; at least I tried my best. This experience has been really positives for me because I could see and learn a lot of learning approach, different methodologies, how to manage a classroom, and different tools and resources which I can use as a teacher in a future.

Furthermore I have learnt how develops the daily life in the school, the home-school connection and the community-school connection. Finally, with this trainning we have the opportunity to get in the role of a real teacher and plan a teaching unit of English. I considered that it was essential that all the activities were student centered, multisensory and covered different learning styles because this way we could reach all the students and connect with them I have tried to plan activities that have these requirements that I consider indispensable

Thursday 14th

Today I have seen how to introduce new vocabulary. First of all, Núria showed the flashcards and said the words (mustache, wig, mask, glasses, earring and hat). After that, everybody repeat at the same time the word, first Núria and after the group. Then, each student said the word so that made Núria make sure that all of them were listening how to pronounce correctly. They spent more than 20 minutes doing this. So it’s really important to spend time with this vocabulary other way, student would forget it. So after the new vocabulary, they learned, sang and chanted a song with the same vocabulary and then they made some activities related.  

They will work this vocabulary for all the month and that will be great because the students will consolidate all the knowledge.

Wednesday 13rd

Today I have realized the importance to make a meaningful checking or correcting. During these weeks I have seen how some teachers correct the activities. The most successful way is to correct and explain why is correct and why is not correct, because sometimes teachers don’t have enough time to correct and they just say the correct answer and they don’t care if children have any problem or if they have understood the answer.

I think by correcting be can create a space to learn, students can learn from the checks and corrects. If a student did wrong the homework, it’s essential that the student can understand why is wrong, and how to do the best answer.

Therefore, when we are checking activities we have to give opportunities to learn to those students that haven’t understood it or for those who have done it wrong. 

Tuesday, 12nd

Today I had my fourth intervention. I have change different things after reflect about my last intervention.

Firstly I did a game with the routine song.  Every time they start the class, they don’t sing the routine song and there isn’t sense if the teacher puts the song but no one sing. So to motivate the students to sing I propose a game.

I distribute the class in two groups, once is called right and the other left so, when I raise my right hand, group right had to sing and the same with the left hand.  Sincerely, it works. They were motivated and it was the first time I have listen them singing the routine song. I was really surprised and glad to see the difference.

Also, to start with the class I ask them how they were and I ask 5 students how they were to create a good atmosphere and to create visual contact with them. 

5th-8th February

This week has been special for the reason that it was Carnival so we haven’t done English at all. We have done different things related with Carnival. Trini and I helped some groups (3^rd and 4^th grade) doing their fancy dresses.

When it’s Carnival, the school says a different order every day.  It’s a typical game to prepare children for Carnival. So, on Tuesday everybody had to come to school with a painted face. On Wednesday everybody had to come with pajamas. On Thursday everybody had to come with a funny hairstyle. Finally, on Friday everybody had to come with the clothes inside out.

Despite we didn’t do English, it was a funny week.    

Friday 1st, February

Today was my third intervention of my teaching unit. My teacher from the University was there.  We have discussed a long list of things I have to improve. I have talked with my peer Trini and we have reflected about it.

The most important think that I have realized is that being a teacher is more difficult and laborious than do nice activities. We have to plan the activities taking into account different things: the level of the students, their prior knowledge, all the activities have to be age and stage appropriate to the students. Also, we have to plan lesson being aware the objectives, the competences, not only nice and funny activities.

In addition, it’s important to make sure that our students understand what I am teaching, so I would be great if I had had a power point to support my students, for the reason that the structure there is and there are is quite difficult. Students need to have clear ideas about what they are learning, so with a visual support it could be easier for children to understand and consolidate the knowledge. 

Thrusday 31st

During these days I’m learning a lot of things. One interesting is how to play with flashcards. I have seen different ways to remember vocabulary using the flashcards.

-         Mimics

-         Memory game

-         Asking what is this? ( by pairs)

-         Asking what is he doing? (by pairs)

-         Showing a piece of the flashcard

-         Showing the flashcard for 1 second

-         Hiding  the flashcards around the class

Before  I arrive to the school I only know three ways to play with flashcards and currently I have different variations to catch and motivate my students.