Week 7 Lesson Reflections

Lesson Reflection 5
Sunday October 14th, students were introduced to the basic subtraction content where they
subtract numbers up to 10. In this lesson, I think that planning for learning and managing learning
were the aspects that I have succeeded with. I know this because, the resources that the students
utilized (number charts, squares, PowerPoint word problems and story video) were prepared before
the lesson. Also, this led to a smooth flow of students receiving the information, processing it and
then applying it. Therefore, planning the resources earlier saved the lesson duration because I
ensured that the materials that were used, were placed in a particular area in order to avoid any
misconceptions from occurring (searching for the materials).
Whereas, managing learning was the other competency that I think I have succeeded in.
This is because, the story that I chose was appropriate and anticipating tool as an introduction for
subtraction concept. Therefore, students were highly engaged while listening to the story because
they were answering and getting involved whenever they were asked questions regarding the story.
Adding to that, many students were raising their hand in order to solve or share a specific
information/answer. This proves that students were highly engaged and active throughout the
lesson.
On the other hand, I think that implementing learning was the aspect that needed
improvement in this lesson. This is because, students were confused at the beginning of processing
the meaning of taking away numbers until I showed them an example of drawing an X on pictures
that were presented on the PowerPoint and count how many pictures doesn’t have an X. I noticed
that when I applied such strategy students began slowly to process how to take away numbers.
Additionally, I noticed that I need to be careful with the mathematical language I use with grade
one students since English is their second language. This area could be enhanced by using simple
words to ensure their understanding is satisfied. Also, applying more than a strategy until students
grasp and acquire the concept that they are being introduced to. In this way, I will ensure that this
aspect is enhanced for my future lessons.
Lesson Reflection 6
Monday October 15th, students proceeded with subtracting up to 10 concept. Therefore, the
aim of this lesson was to ensure that students are able to subtract by using number chart and
mathematical squares. Therefore, managing learning was the aspect that I think I have succeeded
in. I know this because, I ensured to hook the students at the beginning of the lesson by playing
for them a video about basic subtraction on BrainPOP. Adding to that, students were highly
engaged because all of them were getting involved and answering the questions that were asked
along with the video. Thus, some students were raising their hand in order to answer that questions
that were dedicated to them.
On the other hand, managing students behavior, and planning are the aspects that must be
improved in my future teaching so as to avoid any misconceptions from occurring. To elaborate,
at the beginning of the lesson, students were informed about the expectations where if someone
misbehaved he won’t proceed with completing the subtraction activity that was conducted. Also,
I informed them that they will lose points from their Dojo (behavior system). Adding to that, some
students were misbehaving and off task when I was distrusting the subtraction charts and squares.
Although, I didn’t apply the consequences that were mentioned which led to misconceptions and
errors. I think this happened because, I wanted all students to learn and acquire the concept of
subtraction since it is a new topic for them to learn. However, I learnt from this lesson that I must
apply the expectations of rewarding or punishing the students because this will inform the students
how they need to behave in the classroom and make them aware of the consequences behind not
following the classroom rules or teacher’s directions.
Adding to that, during this lesson I noticed that disturbing the mathematical squares is an
issue because it took me long time to give 10 squares per student. This was also mentioned by my
MCT, since she observed me today. Moreover, her recommendation was place certain number of
squares inside a plastic bag for each student and label their names on it. In this way, students will
be on task and most importantly the lesson will run smoothly without wasting time. I will apply
this recommendation in my future lessons to ensure that I improving my teaching skills.
Lesson Reflection 7
Tuesday, October 16th, students were introduced to subtracting numbers up to 20 content.
In this lesson, I think that managing learning and time management are the competencies that I
have succeeded in. I know this because, in order to hook the students to the new content they learnt,
I read for them an interesting story called ‘The action of subtraction’. Therefore, all of the students
were highly engaged as well as they were participating in the classroom. To elaborate, students
were following the story and all of them were answering the questions that were asked while
reading. Adding to that, students were behaving well in the circle time because they were told that
whoever is going to misbehave, he will be asked to go back and sit in his seat. This proves that
students enjoyed the story and all of them were proactive, attentive and most importantly they
were involved. Also, students were given word problems to solve by using the white boards and a
PowerPoint presentation that contained subtracting questions up to 20. Therefore, students
followed the rules by raising their boards up when they finished and they weren’t shouting out
loud the answers of the given questions. All of this proves that students were motivated,
anticipated, encouraged and involved throughout the lesson.
Whereas, time management was the other aspect I have succeeded with. I know this
because, according to my teaching skills in my previous experiences, I couldn’t complete all of
the planned tasks due to time issue that I had. Al though, I noticed that my time management skills
are improved because I am able to teach all of the planned tasks along with providing students an
extension activity. This was one of my professional development areas that I wanted to improve.
Thus, I think my time management skills are improving because I keep myself remined about the
time duration left and also narrowing my instructions by making it short, simple and easy to follow.
On the other hand, planning for learning was the areas that needs improvement. This is
because, students were given square tiles to use in completing their equations. Thus, they were
given the squares one by one which was a very long process to accomplish for 20 students. Also,
this allowed students to misbehave because they were waiting for me to begin with my modeling
instructions. Therefore, according to my MCT’s observation, she recommended me to use plastic
bags and insert the number of tiles needed for individual students in order to ease my job and most
importantly save time. I will apply this effective strategy in my future lessons in order to avoid
any misconception from occurring.
Lesson Reflection 8
Wednesday, October 17th, students proceeded with subtracting numbers up to 20 by using
square tiles and pictograph of number line up to 20. In this lesson, I think that planning for learning
and implementing learning are the competencies that I have succeeded in. I know this because, in
my previous lessons, I gave the students square tiles one by one which limited my teaching time
and it was a hard job to accomplish for 20 students. However, according to my MCT’s observation,
she recommended me to use plastic bags and insert the number of tiles needed for individual
students in order to ease my job and most importantly save time. Thus, I applied this
recommendation in today’s lesson by providing plastic with 20 square tiles for each student. This
strategy was very effective and easy to follow because students didn’t have to spread the tiles on
the floor, yet they took them one by one from their bag. Also, this saved my teaching time and I
was able to provide students with a multiple of equations to solve.
Whereas, implementing learning was the other aspect that I think I have succeeded in. I
know this because, according to my MST’s feedback, I have been told that the less materials
students are given, the more learning occurs. To elaborate, in my previous lessons, I use to give
the students worksheets, pictographs and square tiles in order to work with. However, learning
misconceptions occurred because students were confused about what they need to do and how.
Also, they were distracted by the amount of materials they are given at once. Hence, in this lesson,
I ensured to avoid this misconception by only giving the students their square tiles and pictographs
to work with. Therefore, I have noticed that students grasped and acquired the content effectively
because they were processing the given information in an effective way with less materials.
On the other hand, using clear language is the area that I need to improve and pay attention
to. This is because, according to my MST’s observation, he noticed that I was saying the wrong
statements of ‘Do it on your own’ and ‘Do it by yourself’. However, I use to say ‘Do it by your
own’ and this misconception must be improved because it could affect students by making them
say the incorrect statements.
Lesson Reflection 9
Thursday October 18, students were introduced to comparing numbers up to nine concept.
In this lesson, I think that planning for learning and managing learning were the aspects that I have
succeeded in. To elaborate, in this lesson students were given flashcards which consists alligators
that represents greater than and less than signs. Also, resources such as video, PowerPoint that
consists equations of comparing numbers were prepared in order to ensure that the lesson runs
smoothly. All of this preparation ensured that the time of the lesson is effective and most
importantly students were ready to begin with the activity.
Whereas, managing learning was the other aspect that I think I have succeeded in. I know
this because, students were hooked by watching the video of comparing numbers on BrainPOP,
and all of them were watching the video attentively without getting distracted by talking. Also, the
prepared flashcards made the students excited and curious about the activity that they will
complete. Therefore, all of them were following the directions and behaving well because they
wanted to get involved in comparing numbers game. All of this ensures that managing learning
was applied effectively in this lesson.

On the other hand, implementing learning is the aspect that needs adaptation. This is
because, many students seemed lost and didn’t know the accurate difference between the greater
than and less than sign and how to use them. To elaborate, students were shown a PowerPoint of
comparing numbers equations where students had to identify the answer by putting the accurate
sign up and wait for me to assess them. According to my observation, students were putting the
signs randomly without knowing the differences between them. I think this happened because, my
explanation was difficult for them and my language was beyond their ability. However, this session
will be taught once again and I can adapt this aspect by reading for them a story or playing with
them a game of an alligator who is hungry and he only eats big numbers because he is big.
Therefore, allowing the students to imitate my movements of closing and opening my hands
(greater and less than sign) will support and scaffold students understanding and make them ace
this content.