Micro-Teaching (Self Reflection)

For my micro-teaching session, I taught a Form 2 class with the main skill focused on Literature in Action and the complementary skill of Speaking. The theme was People & Culture, and the topic explored Violence & Cruelty through the short story The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe. The grammar focus was on adjectives. Additionally, I incorporated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being by encouraging students to reflect on the psychological impact of violence and cruelty. This reflection evaluates my teaching experience in terms of time management, lesson effectiveness, areas for improvement, strengths and weaknesses, peer feedback, and overall learning outcomes.

Time Management

Planning and designing the lesson took three days, which included structuring activities, preparing materials, and aligning the lesson with learning objectives and SDG 3. The time spent was sufficient because it allowed me to carefully organize each stage of the lesson, ensuring smooth transitions and engaging activities.

Teaching Satisfaction

I was very satisfied with my micro-teaching session. The students were highly engaged and actively participated in all activities. The final activity, in particular, was well received, as it allowed students to express their thoughts creatively. My lesson objectives were successfully achieved, as students demonstrated a clear understanding of The Black Cat, identified adjectives effectively, and connected the story’s theme to real-life situations.

One of the most striking moments was how intensely students reacted while reading the story. They were deeply engaged, especially when they discovered how the main character, who initially loved animals, eventually turned violent and killed them due to his drinking problem. This unexpected shift in character fascinated and shocked them, making them more invested in the lesson. The integration of SDG 3 was also effective, as students discussed the effects of violence on mental well-being and recognized the importance of emotional health.

Areas for Improvement

One improvement I would make is removing the vocabulary activity, as it was unnecessary for this group of students. While it might be useful for lower-proficiency students, in this case, it did not add much value to their learning experience. Additionally, I could have incorporated SDG 3 more explicitly by including a guided discussion on how literature can promote awareness of mental health issues. This would have helped students reflect more deeply on the consequences of violence and cruelty beyond the story itself.

Strengths and Weaknesses

A key strength of my lesson was student engagement. From the beginning, students were curious about the story, especially when I introduced it using a thought-provoking image. Their interest grew as they read, eager to understand why the story was titled The Black Cat. The most exciting moment for them was the character trait listing activity, where they had the chance to share their opinions about the main character after reading. This not only encouraged critical thinking but also improved their speaking skills.

One weakness of my lesson was that although I explained SDG 3, I only did so in a simple way and did not go into much depth. While students grasped the basic idea that violence can impact mental health, I could have expanded the discussion by asking more reflective questions or relating it to real-life situations. A deeper exploration of SDG 3 would have enhanced their understanding of how literature can reflect real-world issues.

Peer Feedback

The feedback from my peers was mostly positive. They highlighted that my lesson was engaging, well-structured, and interactive. They also appreciated how I maintained student interest throughout the session. However, some peers suggested making the SDG connection more explicit, perhaps by asking students to relate the story’s themes to real-life issues or personal experiences. This feedback was valuable and will help me refine my teaching approach in future lessons.

Overall Reflection

Overall, this micro-teaching experience was a great learning opportunity. It strengthened my confidence in lesson planning, classroom management, and integrating meaningful discussions into literature lessons. This session also contributed to my growth as a teacher, as I learned how to make SDG-related discussions more impactful. Moving forward, I will ensure that all activities are necessary, engaging, and well-aligned with both learning objectives and sustainability themes.

This experience has reinforced my belief that literature is a powerful tool for fostering awareness of important issues, and I look forward to further improving my ability to integrate sustainable thinking into my teaching.