Week 6 Lesson Reflections

Math Lesson Reflection 1

Monday October 8th, was the first mathematics lesson that I taught for all grade one
students (sections A, B, C and D). The aim of the lesson, was to ensure that students are able count
objects up to 20 confidently and accurately. Therefore, students were practicing counting numbers
on their fingers as a way to fulfil their understanding of counting as well as knowing numbers.
Time management and Implementing learning were the competency areas I think I have
succeeded with. I know this because, the lesson time ran smoothly where students were given
enough time to receive, process and apply the given information. Thus, I ensured this because I
was alarming my teaching through looking at the classroom clock which led to effective time
management. Therefore, I narrowed and simplified my given instructions/ explanations as this one
of my professional development goals that I am looking forward to improve. Also, I ensured that
students are alarmed by the duration they have for completing the given tasks by informing them
the amount of time they have left. In this way, all students were on task because they were aware
of the rewarding they will receive accordingly.
Whereas, implementing learning was another aspect I think I have succeeded with. I know
this because, at the beginning of the lesson I ensured that students are given an engaging warm up
(numbers song) so as to keep their motivation during the lesson. Therefore, I reviewed counting
numbers with the learners by making them count up to 20 together. This was done to ensure that
students are able to count numbers accurately. Also, this gave me a clue about which students
struggling with counting so as to scaffold them while completing the activity. Adding to that, I
ensured that all students were involved throughout the lesson by calling them individually one by
one to solve the equations of their book on the board. This was done, effectively because all
students were raising up their hands in order to solve the equation on the board. All of these aspects
prove that implementing learning was accomplished efficiently.

On the other hand, cooperative learning was the aspect that needs adaptation. This is
because, according to my observation throughout the lesson, I noticed that students are not given
group or pairs tasks that will enable their collaboration skills. Also, I think that 70% of my future
lessons must be teacher centered and 30% students centered. This is because, those students are in
grade one and few of them didn’t experience going to kindergarten. Therefore, many students find
L2 (English) a barrier for their learning and here is where 70% of teaching must be led by the
teacher. However, students differ in levels and their must be a balance in the classroom teaching
by giving the students the opportunity to learn in groups from each other. Also, this will enable
student’s communication and interpersonal skills. Moreover, the actions that will be taken in my
future lessons are: ensuring that one of the activities include pair group, apply think-pair share
strategy, as I will be creating activity centers to ensure group work/learning exists in the classroom.
Math Lesson Reflection 2
Tuesday October 9th, was the second mathematics lesson that I taught for grade one
students. Hence, this lesson was taught for grade 1 section A and C only, because I had to leave
school at 11a.m in order to attend my award ceremony that was held in HCT. The aim of the
lesson, was to ensure that students are able count objects up to 20 confidently and accurately.
Therefore, students were practicing counting concrete materials (flashcards, cubes), and
completing counting worksheets.
Behavior system and Managing learning were the competency areas I think I have
succeeded with. I know this because, the lesson ran smoothly without misconceptions occurring
such as not following directions or students were off their task. To elaborate, at the beginning of
the lesson I reviewed the classroom rules and made the students repeat after me. Thus, is a part of
their daily routine to keep them on track with their behavior skills. Also, I reviewed my high
expectations from them before playing the game and informed them about the consequences for
students who will not follow the rules or listen to their teacher’s instruction. Adding to that, I
reinforced students positive behavior by rewarding students who were performing well in the class
by giving Class Dojo points (behavior system). This led all students behave positively because
they all want to increase their dojo points so as to get a present at the end of the month.
Whereas, managing learning was another aspect I think I have succeeded with. I know this
because, in order to anticipate and motivate students throughout the lesson, I made them sit in a
circle where we played a counting object game with the use of square cards and square cubes.
Therefore, all of the students enjoyed this game and were actively involved because all of them
were asking to have turns and count the objects. The purpose of this game is to ensure student
participation and engagement in the classroom in order to excel with their performance. Also,
students were given counting worksheets to complete and students who finished early were told to
start colouring the pictures of objects (flowers, cards, airplanes etc.). Additionally, all students
were excited to solve the equations in order to start colouring their pictures. This proves that I
succeeded with managing students learning in today’s lesson.

On the other hand, usage of mathematical and educational language was the area that needs
adaptation. This is because, when I was going through the day, date and month of the week I used
the word ‘number’ which represents the date according to the students understanding. However, I
was informed by my MCT that students must be introduced to the date word instead of number.
Also, the date flashcard number are in two colours black and red which represents patterns, I was
informed to link the word pattern for the students. Furthermore, this area will be developed in my
future lessons by linking those mathematical words in my daily routine. Also, if students struggle
with comprehending the mathematical language I will link the word number and tell them ‘What
is the date today? What is the number?’ I will use the word number first time, then I will reduce
using it step by step. Whereas, the word pattern will be explained by telling them to call out the
colored flashcards (date) in such way: ‘Red, black, red, black’ we call this a pattern!’.
Math Lesson Reflection 3
Wednesday October 10th, was the third mathematics lesson that I taught for grade one
students (section B, C and D). The aim of the lesson, was to ensure that students are able to make
parts of 10 confidently and accurately. Therefore, students were practicing making parts of 10 by
using concrete materials (flashcards, squares), and completing the equations in their mathematics
workbook.
Planning and implementing learning were the competency areas I think I have succeeded
with. I know this because, this lesson required the students to use mathematical squares which
contains numbers from zero to ten on them. Therefore, I ensured that resources were prepared last
week when I was observing the students. This is because, I knew that this current week will be a
busy week since I am teaching full day and full week. Though, this will limit my time in order to
prepare my resources which requires cutting numbers and pasting them on the square cubes. Also,
students were given a laminated worksheet which consists of a table of 3 squares which represents
two parts and a whole. This was also prepared last week during my free time which resulted in a
positive way. To elaborate, when I taught this lesson, the resources and materials that students
used were prepared and this conserved my lesson time effectively.
Whereas, implementing learning was another aspect I think I have succeeded with. I know
this because, in this lesson students were asked to sit in a circle and work with the partner next to
them. Thus, students were excited to find the parts and make a whole with the use of mathematical
squares along with their partner. Also, some students were working collaboratively and supporting
the lower level students in completing the game as well as the equations in their textbook.
Therefore, students were engaged to answer and solve the equations in the textbook. This is
because, when I was counting the number of circles I need to draw (parts of a whole), students
were counting with me loudly as they were following my instructions in completing the equations.

On the other hand, managing student’s behavior throughout this lesson was unsuccessful.
I know this because, when students were asked to form a circle in order to play the game with the
squares, most of them were playing with the squares. Hence, my rules and expectations were
announced at the beginning of the lesson as well as before playing the game. I think this happened
because students in such age would play with any educational concrete materials. However,
concrete materials are very important tool in teaching as it allows the students to use their fine
motor skills. This aspect could be improved by, grouping well behaved students with students that
are proactive to reinforce their positive behavior. In addition, in the circle time, instead of giving
the squares to all students at once, give students one by one individually the squares and once they
solved the equation they pass the same counters to the other students. In such way, a smaller
number of counters are given to the students and this will avoid any misconceptions from
occurring.
Lesson Reflection 4

Thursday, October 11th was the fourth day to teach grade one students. In today’s lessons,
students were continuing finishing their previous equations in their math books (making parts of
10). This is because, some sections had a single lesson which narrowed the time of completing all
of the required tasks. Therefore, all grade one students were completed a formative assessment in
order to examine their counting knowledge.
Today, I completed a full week of ongoing full day teaching. At the beginning of this
teaching practice, I was nervous about teaching full day and week. However, I trusted my own
abilities since this will be my future job and gave it my best. According to my observation, I think
that students are used to me now because they started following directions, asking questions, and
referring to me when support is needed.
During this week, I think that managing student’s behavior and learning are the most
aspects I succeeded in. Although, there are some lessons where managing students behavior is
frustrating depending on the grade section. Also, managing students learning was the most aspect
I think I have succeeded in. This is because, according to their assessment results, majority of the
students exceled in it and got full mark. This proves that, students acquired adding and counting
content and they are ready to move on to the next context (subtraction) which will be taught next
week.
On the other hand, I think that during this week I didn’t assess students understanding at
the end of the lesson. This aspect needs to be improved by using open-ended question, playing
mathematical games to assess their understanding. In addition, students must be assessed daily to
ensure that they are not falling behind with the information they are receiving.