I got the opportunity to observe a composite class, which consisted of Year 5 and Year 6 students. The students here learn Mathematics, Science, Civics, Health, Physical Education, Art, English, Music and Technology. There is also a designated Co-Curricular Activities period for the students from Year 3 to 6, every Friday, from 12 noon to 3pm.

The main teacher in class teaches the students most of the subjects, except for Music, Health and Physical Education, where specialised educators take over. Similar to any class of students, the students here have mixed learning abilities. Most of the students are kinaesthetic and visual learners. They value hands-on activities, and appreciate visuals and videos shown through the visualiser. Hands-on activities and videos/images enhance students’ understanding of a particular topic taught. Through hands-on activities, students are also able to discover their own learning and explore different possibilities. For instance, when learning about 3D shapes, students were given the opportunity to create 3D shapes from the templates given. Through this activity, students were able to see the number of sides and the types of shapes that form a particular 3D shape. The students were also given straws and toothpicks to create their own 3D shapes.

Generally, the students are disciplined and follow the class routines that have been established since the start of the academic year. Examples of class routines include duty rosters, lining up in 3 neat rows outside the class after every recess break, raising the hand up before speaking and keeping learning materials neatly in the desk trays. The class routines in place contributed to the order of the class. Students automatically know what to do at the right time, and this saves a lot of time on the teacher’s end as students do not need to be instructed all the time.

Generally, students are inquisitive in nature and ask many questions with regards to the lesson taught by the teacher. In fact, most of the time, the students were also enthusiastically sharing fun facts and their own opinions about a particular issue with the teacher and their peers. Most of the time, the teacher would fulfill the curiosity of the students by answering to their questions, however, the teacher also encourages self-directed learning by getting students to do some research on their own and share what they have got during the next lesson. Students understand concepts better when their learning is made relevant to every day life situations. For instance, while teaching the topic on Condensation, the teacher made links to real life instances where the process of condensation takes place.

I am particularly intrigued by the Technology lesson, where students apply what they have learnt in Science or English lessons, by creating a Keynote presentation on one of the topics learnt. Students made use of music from the Garage Band, and images and facts from the Internet to enhance the quality of their presentation slides. The teachers are also equipped with technological skills by going through a series of modules under the Apple Teacher Learning Centre application.

I received the opportunity to teach Mathematics, on topics such as Identifying Angles, and Science, on topics such as Condensation, and Effect of Heat on Solubility. When teaching the students, I realised the importance of engaging them during the lesson. The students enjoy pop quizzes that serve as formative assessment of their understanding. Worksheets and exercises in their work books are also useful to help students document their own learning. I also received the opportunity to execute a series of Art lessons for the students. I taught the students about Batik Painting, with the intention of encouraging cultural exchange through the teaching of this traditional form of art. The students were intrigued by this art form and were excited to design and paint their own masterpieces. The end products were colourful and the students made use of the different shapes, lines, flowers, animals and repeated patterns that were taught to them.

In my 5-week stint in the school, I also received the opportunity to help out in the school Sports Day event. The students competed in the various sports and represented their respective houses. Their house spirit and sportsmanship were commendable. I enjoyed seeing the students, school staff and even parents participating actively in the various sports.

There was also a dress-up day in school, where students came to school dressed up in their pyjamas. During recess break, the students were served hot chocolate. This initiative made all the students particularly excited; even the teachers came to school dressed up in their pyjamas. Elements of fun are clearly seen being incorporated into the school curriculum, through various school events happening throughout the academic year.

It has been an eye-opening experience at Wynnum West State School. I have learnt pedagogical and technological skills from the teachers here. I am inspired by the dedicated teachers, who put their students' needs as their main focus, and ensure that every student is given the opportunity to reach his or her potential in class. I am grateful for this unique opportunity to be able to observe lessons, conduct assisted teaching as well as executing my own lessons for the students here.

Entry by: Sakinah Binte Mohamed Mohsen