Observation on the first day (Monday, September 18, 2023)

Starting at 6:30 a.m., I walked to Dominican School Manila. There, I met my cooperating teacher, Sir Jason I. Valenzuela, who teaches science. In the initial days, I shadowed him during his classes from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., observing his teaching methods. On this particular day, I accompanied him to Grades 2, 3, and 5.

The children were incredibly friendly, kind, and welcoming. Some even shared their food, drawings, and other items with me. They were genuinely intrigued by the presence of a foreigner, especially one who looked different due to my Muslim attire, including wearing a hijab. Being in a Catholic school, I stood out, but the students embraced our differences with curiosity and openness.

Sir Jason kindly allowed me time to introduce myself in each class. After my introduction, many students asked questions, some of which included inquiries about Indonesia, a place unfamiliar to some of them. I took the opportunity to teach them some basic Indonesian words, such as 'selamat pagi' (good morning), 'terima kasih' (thank you), 'guru' (teacher), 'cantik' (beautiful), and 'aku cinta kamu' (I love you). The children were enthusiastic about learning a new language, and their joy was palpable.

During my first day of observation, I gleaned valuable insights into the students' personalities, the classroom atmosphere, and teaching methods. I observed that the elementary school students here share similar characteristics with those in Indonesia. They are lively and spirited, although managing a few of them can be challenging at times.

The elementary school has approximately 30 to 40 students, including boys and girls, spread across different grades, some of which have parallel classes. Unlike in some other schools, there are no class teachers here. Each teacher specializes in one subject and instructs different classes. The students are proficient in English, as Science and Math are taught in English. Before each lesson, they begin with a prayer and warm-up activities. The students finish school at 3:55 p.m., with each subject lasting for 50 minutes.

Observation on the second day (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)

On the second day of observation at DSM, I once again participated in Sir Jason's activities. I arrived at the school at 6:40 a.m. and assisted the Grade 2 children in lining up on the field. During that time, there was an event organized by the parents' association, where hard hats were distributed to DSM students as a precautionary measure in case of an earthquake.

Following the event, I visited Grades 2, 3, and 4. On this day, I had the pleasure of meeting my fellow preservice student from UST, Rice. She specialized in early childhood education at UST and was also completing her preservice teaching at DSM. Coincidentally, we shared the same cooperating teacher, Sir Jason. Rice proved to be incredibly helpful, especially in translating for students who used Filipino.

In Grade 3, the teacher provided questions to the students, instructing them to classify objects into categories: solid, liquid, or gas. The questions were written on the board, and the children recorded their answers on paper. Meanwhile, in Grade 4, the teacher engaged the students in a discussion using the question-and-answer method, focusing on the topic of changes in objects.

Observation on the third day (Wednesday, September 20, 2023)

This particular day marked a departure from the previous day's routine at DSM, as the school conducted online classes. The reason for this deviation was the Bar Exam, a significant professional licensing examination for lawyers in the Philippines. Due to the exam, certain streets were closed, necessitating the shift to online learning for the day.

In this unique educational setting, I had the opportunity to participate in online classes for Grade 3 Humility and Grade 4 Piety. The teacher utilized Big Blue Button, an online conferencing tool, to facilitate the classes. During these sessions, the classes focused on reviewing previous lessons. The teacher engaged the students by posing questions related to the previous material, encouraging active participation from everyone. Students were asked to provide their answers through the chat column, creating an interactive virtual classroom environment.

In the process of reviewing the lessons, the teacher skillfully guided the discussion. When students shared their answers, the teacher not only acknowledged their responses but also prompted further discussion. Some students were asked to elaborate on their answers, explaining the reasoning behind their responses. This interactive approach to online learning allowed for a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives, enhancing the student's understanding of the subject matter.

Furthermore, the online class experience provided valuable insights into the adaptability and resilience of the educational system at DSM. Navigating the challenges posed by the Bar Exam-related road closures, the school seamlessly transitioned to an online format, ensuring that the learning process continued without disruptions.

Participating in these online classes not only expanded my understanding of the educational practices at DSM but also highlighted the importance of flexibility and innovation in today's ever-changing educational landscape. As I observed the engaging interactions between the teacher and students in the virtual realm, I recognized the immense potential of online platforms in fostering meaningful learning experiences.

Reflecting on this unique day of online learning, I gained a deeper appreciation for the efforts invested in maintaining the continuity of education, even in the face of unexpected challenges. The experience served as a testament to the resilience of both educators and students, reaffirming my belief in the power of education to overcome obstacles and adapt to evolving circumstances.

Observation and Assisting on the fourth day (Thursday, September 21, 2023)

On that day, DSM resumed onsite classes, so I arrived at the school in the morning as usual. I continued my classroom observations, actively engaging in different grade levels. I participated in Grade 2 Fortitude, Grade 3 Honesty, Grade 3 Humility, and Grade 4 Piety classes.

In Grade 2, I assisted in organizing the students on the field, ensuring they lined up properly and entered the classroom in an orderly manner. Sir Jason, the teacher for this class, inspired and motivated the students with his engaging teaching methods. In Grade 3 Honesty, I had the opportunity to lead a discussion with the students after the teacher explained the lesson. I guided the discussion by asking questions related to the material covered.

In the subsequent class, a fellow intern from UST, who was also completing his internship at DSM, led the discussion. It was an insightful experience as I observed my friend's teaching techniques and how he facilitated the class discussion. This allowed me to gain valuable perspectives on different teaching styles and approaches, enhancing my understanding of effective classroom interactions.

Observation on the fifth day (Friday, September 22, 2023)

Today I observed Grade 2 and Grade 3. As usual, in class 2, Sir Jason, the homeroom teacher, gave the initial activity in the class. For this time, the activity was singing and dancing together following the instructions in the video. I observed in Grade 3 Honesty, the teacher taught a new material, he explained the material with the presentation on TV. 

Observation on the sixth day (Monday, September 25, 2023)

On Mondays, school activities commence with a ceremonial gathering. Interestingly, for Grade 2, the ceremony takes place inside the classroom, a departure from the usual outdoor setting. The students participate in the prayer session and sing the national anthem while remaining indoors. Following these initial activities, the homeroom teacher takes attendance to ensure all students are present and accounted for.

During my observational period, I focused primarily on Grade 2, immersing myself in the dynamics of their classroom environment. After the observations, I transitioned into my teaching practice sessions, which took place in both Grade 3 Honesty and Grade 3 Helpfulness. In Grade 3 Honesty, I had the opportunity to engage with the students, guiding them through the lesson and facilitating discussions. This experience allowed me to apply my knowledge and teaching techniques, ensuring that the students comprehended the material effectively. Transitioning to Class 3 Helpfulness, I continued my teaching practice, fostering an interactive and participatory learning environment.

Assisting on the seventh day (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)

On the seventh day of my observation, DSM started to organize online classes for all students due to the smoke eruption in Manila. I joined Grade 3 Honesty and 3 Humility. In both classes, I continued the learning that I had taught them before by doing an activity to practice problems that had not been done before.

Observation on the eighth day (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)

Once again, I visited DSM to continue my observations, this time in the online class setting. I actively participated in online sessions for Grade 3 Humility, Grade 4 Piety, and Grade 4 Prudence. During these classes, I observed Sir Jason, the teacher, delivering lessons using PowerPoint presentations and facilitating engaging discussions.

Consultation on the eighth day (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)

In addition to my observations, I took the opportunity to consult my lesson plans with Sir Jason in preparation for my final demo teaching. During our discussion, he provided valuable advice, emphasizing the importance of incorporating experiments into my teaching methods. According to him, conducting experiments not only adds an interesting dimension to the lessons but also ensures meaningful and interactive learning experiences for the students.

Sir Jason's guidance resonated with me, inspiring me to explore innovative teaching techniques and create dynamic classroom environments. I began researching and planning various experiments related to the subjects I intended to teach. By integrating hands-on experiments, I aimed to captivate students' interest, encouraging active participation and enhancing their understanding of the concepts being taught.

As I delved deeper into my preparations, I found myself not only learning new teaching strategies but also gaining a profound appreciation for the impact such methods can have on students' learning outcomes. The prospect of conducting experiments filled me with enthusiasm, knowing that I could offer an educational experience that was not only informative but also enjoyable for the students.

Furthermore, engaging with Sir Jason and receiving his expert advice reinforced the importance of mentorship in the teaching profession. His support and insights provided me with a strong foundation as I continued my journey toward becoming an effective and inspiring educator.