Teaching Practice Week -5

This week at HSS Chettikulangara was a blend of academic rigor, sports enthusiasm, and cultural preparation. As a teacher trainee, it was a challenging yet fulfilling experience to balance lessons with the school's vibrant activities. The week provided opportunities to engage with students both inside and outside the classroom, contributing to their learning journey while observing how they manage multiple aspects of school life.

The week kicked off with a doubt-clearing session in 8B during the first period. Students asked several questions on chemical changes, allowing me to delve deeper into the subject and reinforce their understanding. Their participation and curiosity made the session highly interactive. I also noticed how real-life examples helped them better grasp complex ideas.

In the 5th period, I introduced the concept of liquid pressure to 8E. The lesson was well-received, with students demonstrating a keen interest in understanding how pressure changes in fluids. Visual aids helped make the concept clearer, and students contributed by providing practical examples. Although there were some distractions due to sports practice outside, most of the class remained focused and engaged.

Day 2 saw more disruption due to ongoing sports and Kalolsavam practice. Nevertheless, I managed to cover significant ground in my lessons. During the 1st period in 8B, I focused on chemical changes, clearing students’ doubts from the previous class. The session was lively, and the students were much more interactive than before.

In 8E, during the 5th period, I continued with the topic of liquid pressure in physics. Although some students were distracted by the outdoor activities, most managed to grasp the concept and relate it to real-life applications. Their engagement through questioning and answering indicated their understanding of how pressure works in liquids.

The week continued with me assisting students in their preparation for the Shastra Mela during my substitution period in 8E. It was fascinating to see the students working on their experiments, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. It was a day where I didn’t take any formal classes but rather guided students through their scientific explorations.

Later in the day, I joined my colleagues in watching the Vrindavadyam practice for the upcoming Kalolsavam. The school’s cultural spirit was on full display, and it was a refreshing change from the usual academic environment. It also gave me insight into how the school balances academics with extracurricular activities, fostering all-rounded development for students.

25th September was an important day, as Dr. Elizabeth Joshua and Mr. Unni Lal visited for class observations. I took the 2nd period in 8B, delivering a lesson on chemical changes using the Concept Attainment Model. The class went well, with students actively participating and generating examples of their own. Dr. Elizabeth appreciated my teaching approach, particularly my use of ICT and teaching aids. However, she suggested that I discourage mass answering and recommended subtle improvements in voice modulation.

In the 1st period, I completed a physics lesson on thrust and pressure in 8E, and during the 5th period, I wrapped up the topic of physical changes in chemistry in 8B. The students engaged well in both subjects, and though some were a bit restless, their active involvement in activities and discussions was encouraging.

The final day of the week was quieter in terms of teaching but still packed with student engagement. During the 4th period substitution in 8E, I observed students working on their projects for the Shastra Mela. It was inspiring to see how motivated they were to explore scientific concepts beyond the classroom.

I ended the day by joining my fellow teacher trainees to listen to students practicing Vrindavadyam for the Kalolsavam. Their dedication to their cultural activities was impressive, and it highlighted the school's commitment to fostering creativity alongside academics.

This week at HSS Chettikulangara highlighted the importance of balance in school life. While students were deeply involved in sports and cultural preparations, they still managed to stay focused on their academic work. As a teacher trainee, I had the opportunity to facilitate their learning, manage class dynamics, and engage with them on multiple levels. The experience reinforced my understanding of how flexible and adaptable teaching needs to be, especially in a school that offers a rich blend of curricular and extracurricular activities.