Upon my initial entry into Shawnee Middle School, I harbored uncertainties regarding my suitability as an educator. Nevertheless, after completing my observation, a shift in perspective occurred, instilling me with confidence in my teaching abilities. This experience has equipped me with invaluable knowledge that will prove advantageous upon entering the teaching profession. Despite the forthcoming challenges within the classroom setting, I possess a multitude of strengths essential for effective teaching. Throughout the week, I encountered various occurrences that granted me insight into the daily life of an instructor. Moreover, I obtained a comprehensive understanding of the secondary education classroom environment. In conclusion, this enriching encounter not only provided self-discovery but also enlightened me on classroom dynamics.
Assisting students with their questions during my time in the classroom brought me comfort and solidified my desire to pursue this profession. A crucial aspect of success as a teacher is feeling at ease in your work environment. The classroom environment varied greatly depending on student behavior, with positive and productive situations arising when students behaved and the opposite occurring when they misbehaved. To minimize interaction during lectures, desks were positioned in straight rows. Colorful walls adorned with posters were used to establish a positive atmosphere. Ultimately, the goal of the classroom environment was to provide every student with optimal opportunities for success.
Based on my observation, the teacher actively involved students in lectures and assignments. During class, the teacher provided guided readings for students to complete while the chapter was being taught. At various points in the lecture, the teacher would ask students questions to answer. This method not only provided information but also made the learning experience enjoyable for the students.
Another way the teacher engaged students in learning was by dividing them into smaller groups to work on worksheets. After reading a chapter, the groups were evenly split between higher-performing students and those who struggled academically. The assignments varied from chapter reviews to group discussions about the recently learned material. This allowed students to reflect on what they had just learned and gain different perspectives beyond the teacher’s lecture.
The lessons I observed in the classroom followed a similar pattern, as the teacher believed this approach would be most effective. Typically, each lesson started with a comprehensive lecture covering all the information from the entire chapter. During the lecture, students filled out a guided reading paper, which served as a review tool for upcoming quizzes or tests.Following the completion of the guided reading, the teacher could divide the students into small groups for review and completion of the task. To wrap up each lesson, an informational movie clip related to the discussed topic was shown, providing three different perspectives for enhanced learning. I personally found the teaching style of each lesson highly effective, catering to the students’ optimal learning experience.
