The First Teaching

January 20, 2010






This week is actually allotted for classroom observation. Since Ma’am Phine felt a pain on her arm, I handle the development or review lessons for the day. It is really difficult to teach when you are not prepared. So, I voluntary asked for subject matter to be taught. Instead of handling the class which appeared to be impromptu teaching, it is better if I have a prepared lesson plan. Not only that, I want to know my students’ level of understanding as soon as possible so that I may know what to be considered in teaching.

Another reason why I decided to teach earlier is that next week will be the examination, so it may affect my teaching schedules. Whatever the purpose is, I’ll take this as an experience.

I taught Character Education in the first day of the class. It was all about time management. Since they love story telling activity, I used a story to present the lesson. It was my original composition, “Si Bebang at ang Orasan”. I was able to apply my skill as the literary editor of the student publication. This time, I don’t just make a story for myself, for my colleagues, and for my school; but for the children. That was the first time I wrote a story for children.

The story was about a girl who never value time. She always ended up a day with worthless tasks: sleeping, eating and playing. Until one night, a fairy gets into her dream in the forms of angry clocks, ready to get revenge against her. Learning the lesson was the end of the story. The girl finally sets time for her studies and homework before playing.

To make the presentation more interesting, I used puppetry. The puppet of a girl, fairy and clocks drew the interests of the students. In the afternoon, I taught Filipino subject. It was all about sequencing events. They appreciated my visual aids. They had learned much from sequencing events. When I was about to post my drawing, they always say “Lupit!” So, I always use my drawing as motivation for them to learn more.

I make this first teaching experience a good image that would be their best first impression. It is not because I only do my best in the first time; but letting them know that through Sir James, learning is fun, interesting and enjoying.

Before we start our lesson, I introduced an action song which is new to them. Ma’am Phine had taught them some action songs so they already build their interest in action song. Whenever I write on the board which sounds as song to sing, it draws their interest. Everyday is always a new song. At vacant hours, I can hear them singing the tune. This means that they are trying to memorize the action song. For so many songs we sing, sometimes they are the one who remind me of those songs. It draws not just a smile for me but also for them. Like what I did in my In-campus teaching, I always collect action songs for children.

“For me, the beginning was never ordinary. And to be a teacher, you have to make each day an extraordinary in the lives of your students.”