Week 9: Reflection

My last week at the schhol was really busy what with having to cross my t's and dot my I's. I never really noticed how horrible it is to be the only student from the university at the school until the last week or so when I kept having to check and recheck what needs to be done. There was always something that I had overlooked or that needed further attention, what with all of that and finishing my last few classes I was very busy. The last week consisted mainly of teaching mathematical literacy. A few weeks ago there was a mix up about evaluations, and after I received the new information the learners started their test series, which kept my class very busy as they wrote in class time and then 4 or 5 periods were spent marking the test papers, added to that they had assignments that could only be completed in class so I really struggled to meet my quota.

I experienced a very frustrating mathematical literacy lesson during the week when I discovered that the reasin so many of the learners get wrong answers is because they do not understand the basic rules of maths, I had assumed that by grade 10 they would understand BODMAS but obviously not,  and I learnt a major life lesson, never assume anything! Always, always check your facts.

I was so busy the last week with checking and double checking all my work that I quite lost track of time and the end of my teaching practical was upon me all too quickly. Friday I set aside for any admin I may have missed and the day was bitter sweet, I found it incredibly difficult to say goodbye.  I absolutely loved my time at the school and I really will miss the people. 

Week 8: Reflection

This wek was very good, I learnt a lot and I gave lots of class and I had my lecturer crit.

On monday the day started without a formal assembly as the matrics are writing in the school hall, but we did have a brief informal one in which the principal wished the students luck for the upcoming week and spoke of perseverance and hard work. It was quite inspiring and gave me a little lift for the busy week I had ahead. The only clas I gave was for the grade 9s, it was all about gestation. The kids are very sweet and they get quite excited about the topic which makes me very happy and excites me as well. My mentor teacher did comment that perhaps I am too friendly with the students and treat them too infirmally and that I should strive to maintain a more professional distance with them. This bothered me a little bit, I don't want to be my learner's friend but I do want them to be comfortable with me and feel that they can come and talk to me or ask questions. I think that being more open to the learners makes you more approachable and encourages participation and creates an environment where learning or discussions can take place.

On tuesday I was in a tizzy,I stressed myself stupid about the crit evaluations I was to have the next day, I had already prepared but I'm nervous around new people. Lots of the staff at the school were very supportive of me and told me not to worry too much as I would be fine, with these comforting thoughts in mind I went to my grade 9 class to teach them about contraceptives and STDs. They were very interested and I thought it best to inform them when they are young to prevent mishaps later on, I also demonstrated the use of a female condom, theoretically, and wanted to pass it around but my mentor said no, and that I should keep my distance.

On Wednesday morning I was a bit useless, I was evaluated the first 2 periods and was so incredibly stressed,  luckily my evaluator was quite comforting and encouraging, my evaluations went very well so I was quite  cheerful for the rest of the day and gladly attended my lessons. The only comment that really concerned my evaluator was the amount of questioning I do in class, which I think is quite good and shouldn't be too difficult to improve upon.

Thursday and friday flew by, I knew I had 1 week left and I started pulling my portfolio together so that I could discover whatwas still needed. This ended the week on a bit of a rollercoaster with me screaming at the top worried about the height and speed of the fall. Besides the stress about my portfolio I also realised that I'm going to be very sad to leave...

Anyone sad about leaving?

Week 7: Reflection

Last week was absolutely awful, last period on Monday I had my first lecturer crit. The lecturer would not listen to reason or explanation and made me cry.... I don't cry easily. I just felt that he was so incredibly unreasonable and he could have paid attention to my explanations had he wanted to. He also did tge entire crit in Afrikaans. Although my Afrikaans is alright,  I feel that he could have made more effort to speak English. 

After Monday I was incredibly depressed and it took me a while to regain my normal composure and sunny disposition,  so even though I carried on teaching my grade 9 class last week and my gade 10 class, which I did enjoy, and attended my classes, I felt like there was a large black cloud looming over me, blocking out the sunshine and threatening rain. I shouldn't be so whimsical that I let a little thing affect me so much, but I've been unsure of the subject since the beginning and I just felt that even though I was doing my best I was failing.

That crit really unnerved me so I spent a lot of time last week reviewing the classes I gave and prepping for my crits this week.

Hope everyone else had a good week
Xxx

week 6: Reflection

This week was incredibly busy, besides the fight and struggle I encountered trying to upload my blog, it was also interschools the weekend so each day was filled with activities and absolutely hectic!

Monday started off with assembly which was beautifully done, and the principal offered an encouraging speech about sportsmanship and hard work, it was inspirational.  From there we went straight to first period, many of the teachers were absent so I dd spend a little time sitting toesig as well as teaching my classes and attending others.

Tuesday was funky tie day! In the name of school spirit the learners wore all kinds of strange, colourful and downright silly ties, cravats, bowties and ribbons. They all looked quite smart, unfortunately I wasn't able to gather some learners to take a picture.... besides the ties, it was a pretty normal day and I presented and attended my classes. I loved teaching my grade 11s and I was nearing the end of my section with them so I started to feel a little bit sad...

Wednesday was funky shoe day and the kids arrived in all kinds of strange shoes, it was really funny to warch! I began teaching my grade 9 class about sexual reproduction, it was exhilarating.  The class is adorable and they are so interested in all the different aspects and topics, we had an absolutely amazing class discussion with questions,  answers and arguments flowing back and forth. They are just so inquisitive and eager to learn which makes me so positive! I had thought to finish with my grade 11 classes today unfortunatelythe period was just too short due to the extended register for singsongs. The singsongs is amazing the kids are so enthusiastic and full of school spirit! It makes me proud to be a temporary gymmie! In the evening we had practice for the staff concert, a fun little concert to show our school spirit as well as get the learners excited for interschools.  The concert is going to happen on Friday.

Thursday began with an assembly so the the RCL candidates for next year could present themselves and a speech for consideration. I spent most of the day sitting toesig, but it did give me time to work on my own classes and lesson plans. So in between finishing off with my grade 11 classes and having a lively discussion with my grade 8s, I managed to do my planning for my lecturer evaluation on Monday.

Friday was incredibly busy!  Before first break we had the big brag and the staff concert. The big brag went well and was incredibly impressive, the school hero worships the sport teams and are so proud of them, it's heart warming. The staff concert also went well and I think the kids really enjoyed the support the teachers and "proefies"showed by acting ridiculous to get them stoked!

Saturday was interschools against De kuylen (spelling?) And it all went well, our second teams were the stars of the day and won us the cup! I am so proud of all the learners that participated!

trots om 'n gymmie te wees!