Journal 1

For my sixth teacher practice I went to Al Darari Kindergarten which is a Government school

that is located in Sharjah, Al Darari Area. The duration for this practice is 6 weeks from

September 30 up to November 7. The school size is moderate with teacher and student ratio of

282/15. Facilities that are available to us is the Library, Canteen, Office, Resources room, and a

recently new science innovation room. The school also consists of 6 KG1 and 6 KG2

classrooms, with total of 12 classroom teachers and 2 English teachers. I got assigned in Ms.

Ebtihal and Ms. Hamda’s KG 2/3 classroom, which consists of 22 students, including 1 student

identified as having SEN; Autism.

During my first week at school, I went around to collect information such as number of teachers

and classrooms, student/teacher ratio which is 282/15, and the principal, classroom teacher, and

MST phone numbers and emails. I sat with my MST, Ms. Hamda and filled her in about the

purpose of my practicum this semester including my research topic, proposed change for my

Managing innovation and change in Education course and PDP goals and how I can achieve

them. I also informed her that due to missing one week of TP already, we have to start teaching

as soon as possible. I found out that on Sundays, the classroom teacher Ms. Ebtihal would

accompany the student to the Library and have them choose a book that they’d like to read and

return it by Tuesday. If a student or two is able to read that book without anyone’s help will be

given the option to go on stage and read it during morning assembly. By Wednesday I taught my

first lesson, when I was confident enough to at least remember the student’s names.