My Student Teaching Journey: Day 4 at St. Mary's HSS Pattom

 As a student teacher at St. Mary's Higher Secondary School in Pattom, every day is a learning experience. On the fourth day of my teaching practice, I was assigned to teach a chemistry class to eighth graders. The topic of the day was the boiling point, and I aimed to make it engaging, relatable, and memorable for my students. In this blog post, I will share my experiences, strategies, and reflections on that day, as well as the supporting tasks I carried out.

Engaging the Students:

I began my day with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The class I was assigned to was full of energetic and curious eighth-graders, eager to learn. My goal was to make the concept of boiling point come alive for them.

Use of Visual Aids:

To capture their attention, I started the class with an attention-grabbing video that showcased various substances boiling. This visual representation immediately piqued their interest. I followed it up with images and diagrams illustrating the process of boiling. Visual aids are powerful tools to make abstract concepts more concrete for students.

Real-Life Connections:

Next, I focused on connecting the concept to their daily lives. We discussed examples such as boiling water for tea, cooking pasta, and even the importance of boiling points in scientific experiments. This helped students relate to the topic and understand its significance.

Review Questions:

To ensure that the students grasped the concept, I posed some review questions:

What is the boiling point of water in Celsius and Fahrenheit?

Can you give an example of a substance with a low boiling point and one with a high boiling point?

Why is it important to know the boiling points of substances in science and everyday life?

Follow-up Activities:

After the initial explanation and review questions, I organized a hands-on activity for the students:

Boiling Point Experiment:

We conducted a simple experiment where students observed and recorded the boiling points of different liquids such as water, milk, and vegetable oil. This practical experience allowed them to witness the concept in action, reinforcing their understanding.

Supporting Tasks:

Apart from teaching, I also assisted my chemistry teacher in preparing a PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming lesson. This collaborative effort helped me gain valuable insights into instructional planning and the use of technology in the classroom.

Reflection:

Overall, my fourth day of teaching practice was a fulfilling experience. It reinforced the importance of engaging students through multimedia, real-life connections, and practical activities. I learned that making learning enjoyable and relevant enhances students' understanding and retention of complex topics. Moreover, collaborating with my mentor teacher gave me a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that goes into effective teaching.

As a student teacher, every day is a step forward in my journey towards becoming an educator. St. Mary's HSS Pattom provides a dynamic environment for learning and growth, and I am excited to continue sharing my experiences as I progress through my teaching practice.