Reflections on Teaching Practice at St. Mary's HSS Pattom: The 25th Day Journey

As a student teacher, embarking on the journey of teaching practice at St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Pattom, has been an enriching experience. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. On the 25th day of my teaching practice, I had the privilege of teaching a physics class to ninth-graders, focusing on conductivity. In this blog post, I will share my experiences, the activities I conducted, review questions for the students, and the supporting tasks I engaged in.

The Classroom Experience:

Teaching ninth-graders can be both exciting and challenging. The topic of the day was "conductivity," a fundamental concept in physics. To make the class engaging and memorable, I incorporated interesting videos and images related to conductivity. Visual aids have always been effective tools to capture students' attention and enhance their understanding.

Activities and Engagement:

Video Presentation: I began the class with a short video showcasing real-life applications of conductivity, such as the working principle of touchscreens and electrical circuits. This immediately piqued the students' interest and set the stage for the lesson.

Image Analysis: I used images of conductive and non-conductive materials to initiate a discussion. This allowed students to observe and differentiate between materials based on their conductivity properties.

Experiment: To reinforce the concept, I conducted a simple conductivity experiment using common household items like paperclips, pencils, and aluminum foil. This hands-on approach actively engaged the students and made the lesson more interactive.

Review Questions and Follow-Up Activities:

To gauge the students' comprehension, I designed review questions and follow-up activities:

Review Questions:

What is conductivity, and why is it important in physics?

Provide examples of conductive and non-conductive materials.

Explain the factors that affect conductivity.

Follow-Up Activities:

Group Discussion: Divide students into groups and have them discuss real-world applications of conductivity.

Research Assignment: Assign students to explore the history and development of conductive materials in various industries.

Conductivity Quiz: Organize a quiz competition on the topic, encouraging healthy competition among students.

Preparing Slides for the Awareness Program:

As part of our B.Ed. curriculum, my colleagues and I were tasked with preparing slides for an awareness program in the school. The program aimed to promote social awareness and community engagement. We worked together to create visually appealing and informative slides on topics like environmental conservation, digital literacy, and health awareness.

Supporting Peer Observations:

In addition to my own teaching responsibilities, I had the opportunity to support my peer, Maneesha, during her peer observation. It was a valuable experience to provide constructive feedback and suggestions to enhance her teaching skills. Peer observations foster a culture of continuous improvement among student teachers.

Conclusion:

The 25th day of my teaching practice at St. Mary's HSS Pattom was a day filled with learning and growth, both for me and my students. Conductivity became more than just a physics concept; it became a real-world application that resonated with the students. Engaging teaching methods, review questions, and follow-up activities all contributed to a successful lesson. Moreover, collaborating with peers and supporting each other's growth is a testament to the nurturing environment at this institution. I look forward to more such experiences as I continue my journey as a student teacher.