Episode 3: Assisting a Teacher with a “Teacher’s Toolbox”

1. Experiencing the Teaching-
Learning Process
Episode 3: Assisting a Teacher with a
“Teacher’s Toolbox”
Name of FS Student: Ma. Cristina D. Panganoran
Course & Year: BSE-2 English
Resource Teacher: Mrs. Irenea P. Dizon
___________________
Instructor: Mrs. Gloria A. Silva
Cooperating School: Holy Cross College (High School Department)
Date of Submission: March 21, 2011
Date Submitted: March 21, 2011

2. Subject Observed: English Date of Visit: March 14, 2011
School: Holy Cross College Year & Section: 3-5
Matrix
Subject Matter Objectives Instructional Learning Assessment
Materials Activities Tools Used
Parts of - To prepare - Visual Aids - Review - Drills
Speech & the students
Figures of for the coming - Textbooks - Discussion - Graded
Speech finals Recitation
- Recitation
- Mastery of - Board Work
the Parts of
speech and - Quiz
Figures of
speech
Observation Report
Mrs. Dizon first left the class under my supervision for a few minutes due an
errand she had to do about the deliberation of the graduates. I introduced myself to
the students and asked them a few questions regarding their lesson for that day. I
found out that they already know what is expected of them and I was relieved that
they were well-behaved during Mrs. Dizon’s absence; they even asked permission
from me before they leave the class to use the restroom. I felt happy because the
students respected me. When Mrs. Dizon came in, the usual routine was observed.
The first objective of the lesson is preparing the students for the finals, next
is the Mastery of the Parts of Speech and Figures of Speech and the third objective
is to make the students realize how important the lessons are in the next level and
how they can use it in daily life.
Learning activities such as discussion, review, recitation was facilitated by
the teacher and she used drills, board work and a quiz as her assessment tools. The
students were all participating, and knew most of the answers and were even able
to give examples of any figure of speech asked for them to define. They also know
how to analyze the sentences given on the board on how sentence patterns are used
such as S-LV-C pattern and S-TV-DO pattern.
The teacher knew that the students will learn better with enough practice and
she encourages all of them to speak to build their confidence to recite in class. All
of the activities she engages the students in are all a part of her lesson plan so she
can reach her objectives for that day.
If I were the teacher I would use activities that will cover the learning
process holistically and a plan that will be utilized to obtain the objectives that I set
for the students to reach. I will also use other activities that will enhance their
social skills and language competency such as role playing or musical plays.

3. Analysis:
1. What are the objectives of the lesson, the subject matter, learning activities and
assessment tools used by the teacher?
The first objective is to prepare the students for the coming finals. Mrs.
Dizon was able to clear this part of her objectives because I’ve seen how the
students perform during the class activity and I can say that most of them are ready
for finals despite the fact that belong to section 5.
Next is the Mastery of the 8 Parts of speech and Figures of speech. This
objective was achieved around 80-85 percent of the class. The discussion was very
effective because it gives the students a sense of familiarity because they learn
better using this kind of activity. The board work and drills were also effective in
making the students apply everything they studied for the upcoming finals.
They were not only ready for the exam but they also carry the life lessons
that the teacher has instilled in their hearts. The teacher wanted the students to
realize how important the lessons are in the next level and how they can use it in
daily life. The integration of values in the lessons is always practiced by the
teacher in any class she handles and I admire her for doing that. We as future
teachers must know that we are not only mind enhancers but also heart and spirit
molders.
2. How do the learners participate in the activities?
I must admit that I don’t know if I should be impressed with the teacher or
with the students. Why? Because the students were active participants of the class
when most people would expect that these kids are no good at all because when
asked they answer, when requested to give an example they perform. They even
recite in class better than those I know in the college department. Here’s the thing,
they are not in the top section they are third year section 5. Yes, section 5 and they
were able to answer question after question and give examples after definition.
The question is do they perform this well in other subjects? If this is the
same scenario I would see with other teachers, then they are without a doubt a very
good class. But I’ve observed other teachers too and I must say Mrs. Dizon is
someone who has an aura that makes the students well-behaved. The moment they
see her coming students go to their seats it’s not because she is a terror teacher but
she already reached the classroom climate which is a business-like but non-
threatening atmosphere.
The students participated actively, with very good answers and listened
attentively to everything that the teacher has to say. So I think it’s in the teacher if
the students would act out or be unruly on how she will handle these things. The
students can smell fear and they can take advantage of that if they wanted to. These
students are more impressive than the 3-4. This was the second time I observed
them and I was still impressed as if I was observing 3-1 students. I owe Mrs. Dizon
this very informative observation period. Once again I have learned from her ways.
She is truly an inspiration.

4. 3. What reasons does the teacher give in having such learning activities?
Mrs. Dizon first decides on which objectives to work on by using the needs
of the students as basis. In this case, it is the needs of the 3-5 that the teacher
decides to do a review before the final exam comes. She chose discussion because
the students are more adept in learning when it comes to reviewing if she uses this
kind of approach in teaching them.
To satisfy my curiosity, I interviewed a few students in 3-5 and they
admitted that they learn better when Mrs. Dizon discuss the lesson instead of doing
other styles. Since it is almost the end of the school year, the teacher obviously
knows how to design her lesson plan and she already knows the best way for the 3-
5 students to learn.
The teacher knows that the board work enhances the writing skills and
grammar skills while the recitation covers mostly speaking skills, social skills and
building one’s self-confidence. Quizzes also help the teacher evaluate how far the
students have reached in terms of the lesson. So we can’t do away with any of
these things when it comes to teaching. We can’t leave out anything because they
are all important. The plan must be complete or the system would fall apart. We
have to consider everything because all these things are a part of the teaching-
learning process.
4. If you were the teacher, what activities, materials and assessment tools will you
use? Why?
I can’t say I would only focus on a single activity but I have to utilize all the
learning activities I have learned on my major subjects especially this semester I
have learned a lot of activities and studied on how to use materials that can be
utilized to encourage speaking and enhance grammar in class such as maps,
graphic organizers, role playing, group projects, group games, interactive
discussion, cooperative learning and many more. I also learned about the different
types of assessment tools such as rubrics, exams, portfolios and others.
Ofcourse it is not only the students who are being considered here but also
the lesson and how it relates to a certain material, activity and evaluation.
Activities, materials and assessment tools must be in sync with the objectives so it
will be a smooth flow all throughout the period.
I plan to use a variety of techniques to know what is suitable for the
students. To find out what is their special skills are or what kind of learner they
are. And which activities they are weak in and make that weakness disappear or if
not help them cope with it. What they lack in something must be compensated by
another skill. Through using these things as tools in the correct way, the success
rate of teaching-learning process is in very good hands.

5. Reflections:
1. What insights/learning & new understandings have you gained from your
experience?
I have really learned a lot from this semester. All the observing experiences
made me see all the important facts in being a teacher. They made me realize about
a lot of things not just in teaching but also about life. These experiences are by far
the most fruitful of all in my school life. I learned to manage my time, worry about
important things in life and see the teacher in me.
Good teachers are full of passion, well prepared for their lesson, have
anticipatory skills and of course live with integrity. Aside from knowledge,
teachers must possess positive attitudes and admirable work ethics. One sees these
qualities through the way activities are facilitated by the teacher, how the materials
are organized and prepared, and another thing is how the assessment tools are used.
The assessment must never be used to punish the student. This is where positive
attitude comes in. Dedication, hard work and punctuality are also important.
We should demonstrate not just the lesson but also the process by which we
learn. All teachers must realize that part of their job is to teach their students how
to learn. I’ve learned that metacognition comes in when we focus on learning how
to learn. Teachers must also learn from their mistakes, and experiment continually
with ways to improve their strategies and teaching methods.