Observation Task 1: Introduction to the learning environment

Focus: The learning context

Student teachers will settle into the school, find out calendar/timetable and any other
important information about the school.
TASK and OBSERVATION: Put this into paragraph form at the end of the day.
Introduce yourself to your Mentoring Teacher. Tell him/her about yourself, also about the
Bachelor of Applied Science Program and your tasks for the day.
Find out from your MST when a good time each week will be for you to discuss that days task.
There is no specific time (in free time).
Find out when the beaks are/ where you can go during the breaks/where the restroom is/ where
the refrigerator (for your lunch and cold drinks) is, etc.
I can go to staff room to eat my breakfast and my lunch.
Find out about your Mentoring SchoolTeacher:
Where is she/he from? She is from Ireland.
How long has he/she worked at that school? She is working in this school since two years.
How long has he/she been a teacher? She has been teaching for 7 years.
How many students are in the class? There are 18 students.
How many boys? There are 10 boys.
Girls? There are 8 girls.
What nationalities? Emirate Indian Palestinian - South Africa Norway . Etc.
Find the staffroom and introduce yourself to two OTHER staff members during your breaks. Tell
them why you are in the school and when you will visit. Find out their names, what they teach
and where they are from and add to your TP booklet.
I cant do this point in that time, but I will do it in next time.
Find your way around the school/workplace and find the
Library
Cafeteria
Playground

Find the following for your TP booklet:

o Photocopy or photograph a class list and the classroom calendars. Complete the
School/workplace Profile paper (next page)

o Identify important dates (holidays, school events, trips etc.) on the School/workplace
Calendar

o Map the themes to be studied, important school events, trips etc. during the weeks you will
be in the school.
o Make a copy of the weekly/daily class timetable

 Get involved with the learners as directed by your mentor. Find out what they are
doing and why.
She helped the teacher and students, because she wants to help and learn and
because students at these ages (between 4-5 years old) need a lot of help and care,
so its hard for the teacher to do this by herself.
Ask permission to take photographs of the displays, the learning environment and
learners.
Find out how the school/workplace wants to be contacted and who you contact if
you are going to be late or absent.
I cant do this point in that time, but I will do it in next time.

Complete the following:

Name of School

GEMS WELLINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Name of Principal

Mr. Stephan Chynoweth

Name of MST

Sarah Lynch

Email of MST
Phone of MST (if willing to share with you)
Name of Assistant teacher
Teacher starting time
Teacher Ending Time
Learner Starting Time
Learner Ending Time
Classroom Number
Good time to discuss your weekly tasks with the MST

lynchsara@gmail.com

Break Times and Lunch Time

Break 10:00-10:30... Lunch 12:30-1:00

055-1800258
Farida
7:00
4:00
7:30
2:15
FS2B
There is no specific time (in free time).

REFLECTION: Write in paragraph form

We have spoken about making a good first impression. What did you do today to make a good
first impression? How did you feel on your first day? Did your feelings change throughout the
day? Explain what happened and how you were feeling. Do you feel you made a good first
impression? Write a brief overview of your first day at TP.

At the first day in my teaching practice (TP), I went to the classroom and I introduced myself
to the students, then I asked them about their names. I felt shy and nervous because it was
my first day in teaching practice and because I have not got used to this. I helped the students
when they want to open their foods in their break and I helped the learner by distributing the
papers on each table, also I played with students in the playground. The students told me
that they loved me and they liked my style. At the end of the day, I sat with my mentor
school teacher (MST) to ask her some questions about herself and about the school and
students.