Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st gradeDate: 21st AprilLesson Number: 1Journal entry 1: Observation 1

Before going to the school I was really nervous since I had an idea of what I wanted to focus on, but I didn’t know what I was going to come across. I mean, the type of students and the teacher. I met her yesterday but we only organized the schedule and we talk for a few minutes only. However, as I entered the classroom my nerves disappeared. The atmosphere was really kind, the children are lovely and to my surprise they are so quiet that it doesn’t seem you are sharing a classroom with 6 years old kids. As regards the classroom itself, it is quite big, comfortable and beautifully decorated. There are 26 students in the classroom which are sat in t at tables of 5 and one of 6 students, and there is a desk on one side of the classroom where I sat during this observation lesson. As regards the teacher, she didn’t sit down, as she walked around the classroom the most part of the lesson. The development of the lesson was really entertaining and the half hour seemed ten minutes. First, the teacher said hello to her students, introduced me, and explained them that I was there to observe the lesson, and that in a few weeks I was going to play with them and be their teacher for a couple of lessons. So she said to them “let’s show Cintia how we work”.She took a small ball and threw it to one of the students. Then, she said “I’m Fernanda, What’s your name?” and the student responded answered “I’m (and her name), then she threw the ball again and again to several different students. After that, she played their routine “Hello” song. Then, she used some flashcards and chants to revise colours and numbers. The activities were dynamic. However, and according to what I could observe, she didn’t create a meaningful context for each of the activities. I say that because for instance, she played the “Hello” song, and after that she told her students “Ok kids, now open your pencil case and show me blue, now show me red” and so on. Then, she played a chant about colours, for students to sing it and after that, she told them to say the numbers, and sing a chant related to numbers. As they finished, they sang their routine “goodbye” song, and the lesson was finished. All in all, I liked the atmosphere created with that group of students since they participated in all the activities, they kept quiet the entire lesson and the teacher spoke English the most part of it most of the time. It has been my first time with young students and I left the classroom really happy.

Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st gradeDate: 28th AprilLesson Number: 2Journal entry 2: Observation 2

This time I felt nervous again since this class observation was the last one before I start doing my practicum period at this level. As regards the lesson itself it was similar to the previous one. The teacher made some revision on numbers and colours as in the last class but she started teaching parts of the body. For that, she made the students stand up and touch their heads, while she mimed touching her head with her hands. Then, she continued with her hands telling the students “show me your hands”, “clap your hands one”, “clap your hands two” and so on. Then, she said “touch your body” miming again, and finally, the feet. As regards the pedagogical principles, the teacher has been able to build respect and a good relationship with her students. As she entered the classroom, the students calm down and make silence immediately. Along the lesson, she walked around the most part of the time making all her students participate in it. Besides, her lessons are mainly student-centered since she makes all of them be active participants. Regarding teaching strategies, the teacher spoke the most part of the lesson in English, miming, showing with objects and paraphrasing what she was trying to explain. Besides, she made her students keep their motivation by asking them to do short but many different activities. For instance, she asked them to stand up as I said before and touch different parts of their body, she made them sing, draw, repeat after her, among others activities. So, a great atmosphere was created to which the children responded really well and did all the teacher asked them to do. The aspects of the lesson I consider successful are first of all, that the children are able to understand what the teacher wants them to do without having to resort to their mother tongue. Secondly, that the students participate and do all the activities proposed by the teacher. And finally, I want to highlight again, the quiet atmosphere that has been built in the classroom, since the children are really young. However, I may say that, again, the teacher did not create a meaningful context to present the activities or the new topic “parts of the body”. She only gave instructions to her students as I mentioned in my first journal entry, such as “open your notebooks..show me blue...now repeat… now stand up and touch your heads” and so on. To conclude, these two class observations helped me a lot since I’ve never taught so young children. Now I have a better idea how the class organization, activities and routines can be developed and how I can apply all the theory I’ve been studying all these years. Hope I’ll do it well.

Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st grade

Date: 5th MayLesson Number: 3Journal entry 3: Class 1

As this was my first lesson with 6 years old students I was extremely nervous. I wake up too early this morning because of my nerves. I tried to imagine the development of the lesson over and over again because I was afraid of missing some points or exercises. Of course the lesson didn’t develop as I imagined. At first, students showed themselves quiet as always and happy to help me “be a teacher of English”. But as the lesson started they didn’t show much enthusiasm towards the puppet and the exercises proposed. They always showed respect to me and kindness; the atmosphere was friendly, and they didn’t have problems in calling me “teacher” and asking me questions; but I didn’t left the classroom satisfied with my performance. As regards the teaching strategies, I spoke English most of the time miming what I wanted to say and showing pictures. Besides, I made them participate most of the lesson, asking simple questions for them to answer or making them repeat some vocabulary while doing TPR activities. Fortunately, students reacted well to my teaching in the sense that they assumed in some way that I was their teacher in this lesson. However, as regards the activities, they enjoyed the ones in which they had to stand up and touch different parts of their body, or when repeating some vocabulary. However, they didn’t care too much when I presented the puppet as they weren’t interested in what it had to say, and the same happened with the last activity in which they had to draw a friend and then, paint it. So, they reacted well to half of the lesson and were a bit disinterested in the other half.Besides, the aspects of the lesson I considered successful was the way they “accepted” me as their teacher without having to resort to their everyday teacher at any moment, and that I could fulfill,(in a different way I’d thought it would be) with all I’d planned for it. However, I consider I have to design more interesting activities for students; TPR activities are the ones that I noticed make them get more involved and motivated, and willing to perform; and other activities as could be songs and stories. Finally, what I found useful of this lesson that will help me plan the next, is in the first place, timing because despite I could fulfill every activity, I think I need to think of one or two extra in case I have more time until the bell rings; and in the second place, it was useful in the sense that I learnt what type of activities I shouldn’t do for next lessons.

Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st gradeDate: 12th MayLesson Number: 4

Journal entry 4: Class 2

Today’s lesson was my second one and I’ve been trying to manage my nerves but I couldn’t relax at all. Mostly because I wanted to record this lesson but my cell phone didn’t let me do it more than 11 minutes. As regards the children, they reacted well again as they did in the first lesson, so the atmosphere was great and they answered well to all my requirements. However, as I can’t relax at all since I was afraid of forgetting something from the lesson plan, (something that I have to change) I think I developed the lesson too fast. I’m conscious that I have to change many things. As regards the teaching strategies, this time I succeed better than in the first lesson. Students love to participate, and today, they participated most of the lesson. Besides, I spoke English most of the time, and they could understand me. Students sang, I planned TPR activities for them to enjoy, and they also participated describing the pictures I stuck on the board; and playing a game with a die , which included body movement. I can say that students reacted well to my teaching, and this time they enjoyed much more the lesson much more than the first one. I could recognize or find what type of activities they enjoy, for instance, they prefer describing a picture on the board or using flashcards to telling being told a story at the beginning or introducing some topics with a puppet as I did in the first lesson. Also they love singing songs and playing games. So, on the one hand I leave left a bit happier than last Tuesday because I realized that students enjoyed the lesson, but on the other hand, I need to work on my own performance. I think that the aspects of the lesson that need change and improvement is the time I spend in each activity. I think that because of my nerves, in this lesson and in the first one, I didn’t spend the time considered to each of the stages, as I rushed a bit. Finally, what I found useful of this lesson that will help me in the next one is that although I could record a few minutes, I can analyse better my main mistakes so as to improve them for next lessons.

Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st gradeDate: 19th MayLesson Number: 5Journal entry 5: Class 3

Today’s lesson was my third lesson and fortunately I could manage my nerves and relax. I really enjoyed this lesson but I didn’t leave satisfied because my intention was to record the lesson, but the teacher only did it for me only 6 minutes. As regards the children, they get used to see me in their English lessons as their teacher.The teaching strategies applied this time were similar to the ones applied in previous lessons. I introduced the lesson with pictures on the board and miming what I wanted students to understand. As always, students participated most of the time, but today they misbehave a bit. I tried to calm them down and ask them to watch a video but the teacher did it for me. She stood up and ask them to be silent. This is one of my main problems, since she doesn’t let me be absolutely in charge of the class. Besides, I had planned an activity in which students had to perform a story at the front of the class, but I couldn’t fulfill that activity as they were a bit distracted, so I gave them a photocopy in which they had to order the pictures of the story they’ve watched.

Despite students didn’t behave as always, they reacted well to my teaching in the sense that after the teacher calmed them down, they continued working and doing what I told them. Besides, they participated when I asked something orally, and help their partners when they seemed lost. The aspects of the lesson I considered successful were mostly that I could relax so I could manage the whole class and activities better, as well as enjoy the lesson; and the most valuable aspect I could find in each class I’ve been assisting is that I realized I really like teaching, and why I’ve chosen to be a teacher of English. As regards the aspects of the lesson that need change or improvement is still timing. Although I try to organize my lesson plans and the activities, when you are in class everything is different and what you’ve thought is not like it happens. So I need more training in that aspect. However, I’ve been recording the last two lessons and despite they don’t include the whole lessons, they are useful for me to watch them after each lesson and realize better about the aspects I need to improve.

Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st gradeDate: 26th MayLesson Number: 6Journal entry 6: Class 4

Today’s lesson was my fourth one and I really enjoyed it. I felt more comfortable with myself and with the group too. As regards the pedagogical principles that supported the planning and delivery of this lesson, I may say that they were similar to previous lessons. I always try to create a friendly and warm atmosphere in order to make students feel comfortable during the lesson. The only aspect I can mention that was different this time from previous lessons is that, although the lesson is focused on the communicative approach, I had to speak a bit more in spanish resorting to the “sandwich technique” English, Spanish, English, that is something the teacher asked me to do, for students to understand better what I said. Besides, the teaching strategies were similar to previous lessons too. I start every lesson with a routine that includes a Hello song for students to know the lesson has started, and a routine game with a ball, which lets students practice introducing themselves. This time, we worked with a story students watched the previous lesson, so we concluded that lesson and the whole unit. Students reacted really well today, and worked quietly all the time. They helped me order the pictures of the story and then, they enjoyed ordering and painting theirs. Furthermore, they also enjoyed listening to different chants they’ve already known while working at their sit. This time, I can say that the aspects of the lesson I consider successful are in the first place timing, because I could fulfil with every activity I had planned, and in the second place, the organization of the lesson and students’ behaviour; I left the class really happy and satisfied. Moreover, I could taste and reflect better on my own performance and organization during the lesson, so this is an aspect that will help me in future lessons, since I’ll keep on improving my own teaching lesson by lesson, acquiring more experience class by class.

Trainee’s name: Cintia Beramendi

Practicum Level: KinderGroup: 1st grade BDate: 10th JuneLesson Number: 7Journal entry 7: Class 5

Today’s lesson was different as because of some external problems I have to work for this one and one more lesson with another group of students. They’ve already known me but they didn’t understand why I was teaching them today; so I explained the reason. Fortunately, they were kind and respectful and didn’t have problems with that point. The atmosphere was great, it was friendly and we enjoyed the lesson very much.As regards the teaching strategies used in this lesson, I tried to do as much oral work as possible, for students to learn through repetition while I mimed as much as possible what I wanted to say, showing them pictures and real photos of my family in this case. Besides, we sang a chant about family members and then, I divided the class into two groups to chant different parts of it. Fortunately the students reacted well to my teaching, they enjoyed singing and showing the class some drawings of their family members they drawed in previous lessons. However, I may say that despite this group doesn’t seem to be shy as students are too talkative; they have more difficulties in speaking the language. A comparison I can make for instance between this group and the other I’ve been working with for 7 weeks, is that when I ask “what colour is it”? the morning group answers well to my question, they understand what it means; but today’s group doesn’t. The aspects of the lesson I consider successful are that I could fulfil with the main aims of it, I feel I could manage the group as regards its behaviour and that we all enjoyed the lesson. As regards the aspects of the lesson that need change or improvement, I think that despite I consider I go on improving lesson by lesson, a feeling I have is that I do great effort to lower my level; I mean as I’ve never worked with so young children, sometimes I speak as if they understand what I say and I continue. However, in the last lessons I improve that aspect but I need to keep on working on it. Finally, the aspect of this lesson that will help me plan the next one is that this group has shown me they enjoy TPR activities; sing, do body movements and act. So for the next lesson, I’ll work with that kind of activities.

Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st grade ADate: 16th JuneLesson Number: 8Journal entry 8: Class 6

Today’s lesson has been the last one with 1sr grade A, according to the prescribed schedule. I enjoyed it very much since I felt more comfortable and the children too. Besides, students has shown great interest in participating within the activities, and had no problem in adopting me as they new teacher as in previous lessons.

As regards the teaching strategies, I resort to paraphrasing, exemplification, demonstration mime, and in few situations I apply the “sandwich technique” (english-spanish-english) for students to understand me. Fortunately, as the lesson was mostly oral work, I could see that students really understood my questions and directions. For instance, when I showed them my mum’s photo and said “this is my mum, Sandra; What’s your mum’s name?” they got the question immediately and answer it well. They also understood what I was talking about when showing my family’s photos; and when talking about the dog’s family too. So, I can say that students reacted really well to my teaching, to the lesson and the activities. I perceived them more willing to participate orally, happy, interested in the activities and in learning the language too. They enjoyed describing the picture at the beginning of the lesson and singing the chant as well as introducing their family members. The aspects of the lesson I consider successful is first of all that I had planned another lesson for today, in which we were going to watch a video in the library but as it was closed I couldn’t get the CD from it so I had to manage to follow another lesson plan, and it resulted well; and second despite I know I’m just starting in this long way that is teaching young learners, I’m gratified since I could see that students have learnt during my lessons. The aspects that need change or improvement is as regards my own teaching is more body movement. When standing at the front of the class I felt as if I’m moving a lot, but after watching the videos I realize that that is not the case, and I know I need to be more demonstrative, and entertaining. What I found useful of this lesson is that I gain more confidence as I could see that something “good” I’ve done during all these lessons. As I said before, I could see that students can use the language to communicate. They can introduce themselves, they can introduce family members; as well as recognizing numbers, colours, among others so that is enough to me. They are only 6 years old and it is really gratifying working with so young children and being able to use the language communicatively.

Trainee’s name: Cintia BeramendiPracticum Level: KinderGroup: 1st grade BDate: 17th JuneLesson Number: 9Journal entry 9: Class 7

Today’s lesson has been the last one of the kinder period, according to the schedule. Students worked with a song and oral work that had to do with family members and action verbs; and the lesson has been developed through activities that involved TPR and the natural approach, since students participated most of the time singing, dancing, miming and doing performing different actions.

The teaching strategies applied in this lesson didn’t differ much from the previous ones. I did mainly mime, paraphrasing and exemplification for students to understand what I wanted to explain or what I wanted them to do. Besides, I tried to help students to use the foreign language as much as possible through repetition and demonstration.Today, on the one hand, some students reacted well to the activities since they like being the “characters” when participating along the activities, but on the other hand, other students misbehaved and it cost me a great work to calm them down. I asked them to sit down and stay quiet but at a minute later they were walking around and disturbing my teaching. As regards the lesson, I consider successful that we could revise some previously learnt vocabulary and structures and students showed me they have learnt them. Besides, the activities I’ve planned for today’s lesson were dynamic and enjoyable for students. However, an aspect that need change or improvement has to do in this case with my ability or strategies to calm students down since despite they are young and get distracted very soon, I need to work on it and try to find effective ways in order to succeed and try to develop better my lessons.Finally. what I found useful of this lesson is that I have improved in timing when developing or thinking the activities and lesson plans since I could fulfil with the activities planned just on time. This is an aspect in which I have had problems at the beginning of my practicum period since I rushed too much when introducing the topics or explaining the activities to my students and I left little time to check understanding or to exemplify.