Lesson Plan 1 (a) – 4 Science 1: 4th July 2005 / 7.30 – 8.50 a.m.
Set Induction: I planned to introduce myself as a representative from the Department of Environment and that I had come to do a survey regarding Environmental Damages. I chose to do so because initially I was worried as to how am I going to teach and proceed with their next topic when both of us did not know each other at all. I don’t feel it was appropriate for me to start right away with the lesson whereas Puan May said I could do so. So I carried out what I had planned and it was successful. The students (ss) were curious with my presence and the purpose of my ‘survey’.
Presentation: I was able to get to know about the ss since I have asked them to write their Name, Date of Birth, Home Area & its Environmental Damage(s) as well as their own personal Environmental Slogan on a piece of paper each. I collected their papers and later on called out their names one by one to the front. They have to speak out and present their answers. I gave suitable responses to each of them and asked questions at times. To them it was a ‘survey’ requirement but for me it was a way for me to get to know them and get close with them. I shook hands with each of them after they have presented their answers. I appreciate the ss for some of their creative answers. We all laughed when heard of their classmate’s slogan was “I am a nature’s baby”. Some also used the same slogan that I have given as example at the beginning but it was fine since they were able to make reference of the slogan with the Tsunami Aid concert; “I am a Force of Nature”. It showed that the slogan has effect on them.
Puan May came in the middle of the ss’ presentation. She came through the back of the class but only remained standing at the corner out of ss’ awareness. She gave me a thumb up. I nodded and smiled at her. I was surprised. She had helped boost my confidence by doing so. She went away soon after.
Afterwards, it was my turn to ‘really introduce myself’. I asked them again, “ do you really don’t know anything about me?” They shook their heads and said “No”. Puan May’s not being able to introduce me first to the class has its benefit after all. I gave them the chance to ask me on anything that they want to know about me. The class gave me more than 10 questions to answer e.g. who is my idol?, why I chose to be a teacher? My dreams? Etc. I tried to answer all of them diligently of course. The looks on their faces have somehow given me the strength to proceed.
Practice: after we have settled down with the get-to-know-each other session cum introduction to Environmental Damages, I asked them to go out of the class to the school’s front. It was ironically lucky that the school is situated nearby factories and big roads (Teachers have good reasons then to bring the class outside and teach ss on Environmental Damages). My partner during practicum here, Nur Hidyana, has suggested to me earlier to bring the class outside during the Set Induction. But I guessed it would not be a good idea as it was the first class in the morning and the ss were just sitting down for class and settling themselves. Thus I took them out during the Practice. I already made a mental note of expected answers when I asked them to look around and identify the type of environmental damages that they could see around school. Right enough, they have answered all types of pollution. I discussed with them and shared my own experience regarding the effects of pollutions.
Production: I made a diagram putting all the information gathered during the Practice. We had discussed and the ss provided examples of the main pollutions happening around school. Later I asked them to write a short composition using all the information in the diagram. I did not mention the exact amount of words required for the essay though, as time was running out. Only 15 minutes left before the period ended and I just wanted them to try writing about the topic even if it was only in brief.
Closure: I had let the ss to write until the class ended and I noticed a couple of them had finished writing but when I asked for those who had finished to submit their essay, all of them wanted to submit it the next day. Therefore, I did not get to do the Closure with them. It might not be suitable also since I had learned about their proficiency level that day and I realised what I had prepared was not really suitable for the class. It was supposed to be a spelling bee. However, the Teaching and Learning activities I would say the ss have obtained the objectives. Even though the composition became their homework at the end, I saw all of them started to write in the class and continued in the remaining 10 minutes of the period.
I think the time might be lost to the ‘introducing myself’ session but it was inevitable since from my own experience Ts need to introduce themselves and share information on the first day of teaching and coming to class. I had heard afterwards that most of my colleagues in other school did not have to teach or start the lesson at all on their first day in class.
