Aisha Ali Alowais

H00330699
Section 12B10ED01
EPU 1903
Practicum 1b
Mr. Basel Bardan
Reflection 1
Thursday, January 27th 2016
1

My First Reflection

The training period (TP) school I have chosen is The International Australian School, so
being unfamiliar with the school I was very nervous and got dropped off at the first building I
saw out of anxiousness which was the nursery also known as Block A. I found my colleagues
leaving the building as soon as I got there saying that the receptionist told them to go to
Block C which is the middle school section and also the main reception. Then from the
reception we were asked to go and sign in by Block B so my colleagues and I headed there,
we signed in, took a tag and waited in the parents waiting area for the teacher that came
instead of Miss Maxene, we waited for a few minutes after a few minutes she arrived and we
exchanged introductions, she assigned us partners according to her preferences and gave us
the choice of which classroom, me and my colleague thankfully got first pick and chose an
elementary class taught by Miss Rene called ELC-E. Miss Maxene came to greet and
welcome us and apologized because she was supposed to take us around but she had a class,
we were then taken to the art room and they told us that this is where we are supposed to
come by 11 for tea and snacks everyday and then got taken to our classes which at the time
were joined together and watching videos for their Australia day which was the day after. We
got introduced to our teachers and then sat down with the students and teachers, after the
videos ended we got taken to class where we were introduced to the students and observed

how the teacher and students discussed the schedule for the day and explained to us about
how students feel lost and dont want to work when they dont know what they have to do for
the day so she always starts off the day by drawing them a fun sun schedule. Miss Rene really
made me and my colleague feel welcomed and comfortable and she would always explain to
us why she does something and gives us great advice. After the first lesson she had a break
and asked if we wanted to observe the Arabic lesson the students had and we said yes since
she told us how it would help us to see the different teaching styles of teachers, after the
Arabic lesson we went back to Miss Renes class and watched a few videos with the students
and just our luck that day was the birthday of a student called Ramsey and his parents came
and we had a party for him with cake and food we helped out a little, at first I felt out of place
because I was unfamiliar with the people and students but they were very sweet children and
the parents were terrific we helped them with the food and sang happy birthday all together
and Ramseys twin siblings came into class too and they took pictures and had fun. Since it
was playground time while we were celebrating and there was time left Miss Rene let the
children play outside after Ramsey left with his parents and we were asked to come to the Art
room where we all met up with the teachers giving us an introduction to themselves, they
were really welcoming and open and even brought in a couple of adorable students which
performed a short song with a very catchy dance for us. They let us a rest there for a bit to
discuss our day so far with one another, after a few minutes of talking we left for the library
because our teacher wanted us to see how library lessons were taught and how if students
bring a bag they can borrow two books (an English boon and an Arabic book) and if they
didnt then they cant she also told us that they even got cards today for each student to give
the librarian when borrowing books. We then left for the other playground where the kids
played around and the teacher rested we asked permission to go and take a picture of the
classroom at the time and she gladly granted it and apologized for the messy state the class is
in today, but I honestly found it delightful and cozy it was full of color and life to me. We
took pictures and the students and teacher came back and we saw a few pictures of a student
on her trip to Oman because her parents sent it as an email to Miss Rene and said that she
wanted to share it with her friends, so we observed them and discussed about how fun trips
are, it was then 1pm and they students left one by one as theyre parents, siblings and nannies
came to pick them up, what amazed me was how the teacher was so composed and guided us
perfectly I feel so lucky to have her as a TP teacher she really took us under her wing and
guided us well I hope we can continue having teachable moments with her, before leaving we
kept conversing with her and she gave us her email and told us about how we were going to
have a trip by mid march and honestly I am looking forward to my next visit to the school.