Lyndra Gomez

Diploma in Education ED

Teaching Practice Reflection #4

In the month of December some of my fellow colleagues enrolled in the programme lamented

about completing assignments during the Christmas season, which is usually a hectic time of the

year for most persons.

I did share their sentiments entirely until I was confronted with assignments and deadlines in the

month of February where is the school’s carnival celebrations and sport’s day were planned one

week after the other. I then realised I was unable to participate in manner in which I usually did,

and not having much of an option bothered me. I look forward to these events and found it

difficult to plan lessons and keep the students engaged during this time.

However, my assignments were due and the lesson for my visit had to be prepared. The lesson

was the second for the purpose of my Action research. The students were all excited to

participate in my research and all agreed but felt intimidated and unwilling to participate when

they realised an external visitor would be present for this lesson.

I guess the reality of being a participant caused some apprehension. After speaking to them and

assuring them of the confidentiality and anonymity involved they agreed to participate.

The session commenced with a video clip on Separation of Powers which was the topic to be

taught. I regret not watching the entire video when selecting it for my set induction as the clip
was based on the Separation of Powers in South Africa. I would admit that it was difficult

planning this lesson given the number of distractions.

The first exercise was also not relevant to the Caribbean as it was based on the American

government. This should have been tweaked in order to be relevant to our system of

government.

The second exercise involved a group activity dividing the class into three groups to teach the

concept of Separation of Powers and how each group functions to conduct government business.

This activity was executed effectively, as the students understood the concept and were able to

draw analogies to explain the concept.

The final assessment was a question that was preceded by a video clip on the role of the

judiciary. With time being a factor no further discussion was permitted. This was not one of my

stronger lessons and I know it was as a result of time to plan. Time is always an issue in lesson

planning and would require better scheduling for improvement.

In reflecting I should have neglected school activities or used the previous month to fully

conceptualise the lesson for effective delivery.