Reflections Journals

(Week1)
4th of Oct. 2015 7th of Oct. 2015

Sunday 04/10/15:
It was my first day in Teaching Practice at Al-Bahjah Kindergarten in Ajman. I
was so excited to go and meet teachers and children there. I reach to the
school at 7:20am since I want to be a professional teacher from the first day.
After 40 minutes, my friends Amna and Jamila came and we went to meet
the principle Ms. Shaikha. However, I was shocked because the principle did
not know that we are coming. That made me upset. They put us with
teachers who teach Arabic until they make a schedule for us with English
teachers.
At 8:30AM, I observe Arabic teacher with her students when they were in the
circle time. She was a professional teacher. She knew how to control and
manage the classroom. She was teaching them about the new unit, which
called Who am I? she used different learning style such as visual,
kinesthetic, verbal and auditory. The thing that I did not like in her teaching
was the way that she used to keep her classroom quiet. She was shouting on
them all the time. In my previous TP when I went to Australian international
school, the teacher used a bell to make the children be quiet. Whenever they
listen to the bell, they stop talking and give their attention to the teacher. I
believe that this way is extremely helpful and beneficial to let children learn
the learn how to control themselves and respect others when they talk.
After half an hour, the children went to investigate the areas. I like the design
of the classroom since it was full of materials that related to science and
math. They engage with numbers all the time. I used this time to
communicate with children and observe them. I went to children who were
playing in role-play area. Zayed was pretending that he in the shop and buy
fruits. I went to ask him what he is doing. He respond to me by saying Im
buying fruits. I ask him to count the fruits in his basket. He was able to
count his fruits successfully.
After that, the children went to eat their breakfast. I help the Arabic teacher
in managing the children to go from the areas to eating room. Her way in
transition was clapping her hands and let children to stand in line. I was
happy since they eat healthy food. Their food was a chess sandwich with a
juice. In my AIS, children have to bring their food. Some of children were
bringing unhealthy food to eat. In the contrast, Al-Bahjah Kindergarten do not
allow children to bring their foods from home. The teacher role is to remain

children about the food manners. That contribute in letting them to know the
fundamentals of eating well.
After they finish eating breakfast, they went to playground. I went with them
to keep an eye on them because it is one of the teacher role to make
children that they are safe. When they finished, we went back to the
classroom, the children eat a snake, which is biscuits. Then they complete
the lesson.
It was very interesting day. I was glad to meet the teachers and children.
When I communicate with children, I realize more how to be a teacher. I
cannot wait for tomorrow to meet my MST and my children.
Monday 05/10/15:
It was my second day in Al-Bahjah Kindergarten. I was glad that all teachers
and the principle recognize me as a teacher who is trainee for the whole
mouth of October. I went to the school at 12:30AM. I went to the principle Ms.
Shaikha. She gave us the schedule for our classes.
I went to meet my MST. Her name Ms. Noura. She is an English teacher. She
is really nice and kind. I did the interview with her. I asked her some question
of her background. She graduated from the same college that I am studying
on it. Moreover, I asked her questions of the behavior management and the
differentiation. After we finished the interview, I think she is really a
professional teacher and I will benefit from her comments and advice when I
will teach. I explain for her that I am going to teach the children for 4 weeks.
We decide that from next week, I will teach the children both math and
English and she will observe me to give me her comments then assess me.
In addition, I gave her the mentor booklet and explain for her everything in
that time.
After we finished from chatting about teaching and interview, I went with my
MST Ms. Noura to the children who I will be teaching for them. They were
surprised when they saw me at the first time because I was new to their
environment.
At the beginning of the lesson, my MST turn on a song, which is about
greeting for children. It was very successful technique to do because that
make children feel that they are preparing for the lesson. Then, Ms. Noura
taught for children about the lesson f. She made a story from her
imagination. The characters is animals start with the letter F. Children
enjoyed the story and recognized the letter f. I impressed by her way in
teaching. I feel that she was fair with all children when she let all children
have the right to participate and share their opinion. After she finish teaching
about the letter f, she give students activity to do. The activity was about

matching the objects, which start with letter f with the shape of letter f. I
believe that this activity help children to develop their fine motor skills,
which will contribute in, improve their handwriting. I help my MST by
observing children while they do the activity and help them if they did not
understand how to do the activity or when they do it wrong.
After English, children eat their breakfast then they went to the playground. I
communicate with them. I was happy when they call me Teacher Amal. That
make me super happy because now they recognize me as their teacher.
Then, the children had an Arabic lesson, which is about linguistic
development. I help the Arabic teacher.
My general feeling in this day was satisfaction and comfort. I like my children
and my MST. I cannot wait for the next day to see them and teach them.
Tuesday 07/10/15:
On Tuesday, I went to the school at 7:30AM. I went to my classroom to see
my children and greet them. At this time, children were playing in different
areas. I went to ask them some questions while they are playing until we go
to the morning assembly.
Through my communicating with them, I knew that some children in my
class are shy. They are so quiet. They like to be in art area. Therefore, I wrote
in my notebook that when I will do activities when I will teach, I could emerge
art in the lesson in order to provide the positive environment for these
students. Moreover, some children like to move and their learning style is
kinesthetic. It is extremely significant for every teacher to know the different
learning style for each student. I believe that all children learn the same
materials but in different learning style. When I will teach, I will try to apply
all the learning style for children.
Managing childrens behavior is very important. According to my MSTs
strategy in managing childrens behavior, she use reward system. She called
her reward system Star Chart. In this system, she give students star when
they behave well with other or do any positive manners. When they collect
10 stars, she give them a gift in order to reinforce the positive behaviors.
According to the theorist Skinner, he believe that when children get praise or
reward on any behavior that they do, that will make them repeat that
behavior over and over again.
In this day, I ask my MST about the 3 kids that I want to do with them
Samyas stuff. She give me three kids with different levels. First, I did what
Samya ask us to do with the high-level students named Khalifa. Then, I did it
with the low-level student who called Maryam. However, because of the

time, I did not finished with her all the tasks. So, next day I will complete with
her and with the medium level student.
In general, today was very useful day. I learned many things. I learned about
the characters of the children in my class who I will teach them. Moreover, I
knew how to control them by using the signals when they make noise. I am
happy in my school and waiting for tomorrow to learn more about this
occupation.
Wednesday 08/10/15:
It is the last day in the first week. I feel that the days went fast and I learn
many things in short time. I went to school at 7:30AM as usual. In this time, I
went to the classroom to greet the children and communicate with them.
At 8:15AM, we start the morning assembly. I helped my MST in managing
children to stand in line. First, students sing the national song. Then, they did
some quick exercise. When they finished, we went with them in the
classroom.
After 15 minutes, we went to the classroom. Children had English class in the
first period. Ms. Noura reviewed the previous letter, which is letter B. She
made for them activities to make sure that they understand and recognize
the letter B. at the beginning of the lesson, I did the morning routine with
children because I wanted from all children to be about to communicate with
me and give me their attention while Im teaching for them. I did the good
morning song for them. Then I remained them about the days of the week.
Then, my MST give them the activities to do which is about art. They have to
use the clay to make the letter B and make things, which start with letter B
using clay such as ball and boy.
The next period, children had to play in areas. Therefore, I used that time to
complete Ms. Samya stuff. I finished with the low-level students. Then, I start
with the medium level student and I finished with them all.
After that, children had a breakfast time. When they finished, they went to
playground to play. At that moment, I sat with my MST. We discussed about
what I will teach next week. We decided that I will teach the letter M, the
color red, the letter F and math lesson. The math lesson she will observe me
and evaluate me which will be on Wednesday.
I start to think about the activities and materials that I will use in teaching
these four lessons. I start to make lessons plan in order to be ready when I
will teach.

Reflections Journals
(Week2)
11th of Oct. 2015 14th of Oct. 2015

Sunday 11/10/15:
I started my second week in Al-Bahjah Kindergarten which will be days of
teaching. I decided with my MST that I will teach an English lesson. I will
teach the letter M since in their curriculum teachers must teach the letter M.
I attended to school at 7:30AM as usual. I prepared my materials for the
lesson to teach children. I felt so excited because this will be my first
teaching in this school. I wanted to make sometime super professional.
At 8:00AM, I attended the morning assembly with teachers and students. In
the morning assembly, children did some exercise and sing the national
song. That will make them prepare for the rest of the day with full of energy
to learn new things.
At 8:30AM, we went to the classroom. The Arabic teacher Ms. Sara was
absent so my MST and me stay with them for the Arabic lesson. We tell the
admiration to bring for us a teacher. In this time, I did with the children the
routine that they do with the Arabic teacher. I first let the child who is the

hand helper to count the present student. Then, I review with them about the
unit that they took it. After that, I let them to play in the different areas.
When we finished, children ate their breakfast. I like how the school care of
the childrens health. They give students chess sandwich and milk for
breakfast. I let them stand in line to wash their hand before they eat. After
they finished, they went to play ground. I observe them to keep an eye on
them for 15 minutes. Then, I went to teachers room to prepare my next
lesson.
Reflection to my teaching:
After students finished playing, I start my lesson. I designed a story about
the letter M using my imagination. At the beginning, I greet the students
using good morning song. This song consider as their routine at the
beginning of English class. I start to sing and all children start to sing with me
and copy my movement. Then, I remind them about the days of the week by
singing a song. When we finished, before the warm-up, I remind students
about the letter that they took by showing them pictures of it. Children tell
me the name of the letters and the sound of it. It was very successful
because children were participating with me. Then, I start my lesson. I make
for them the letter M as a story. I bring a box and cover it with the letter M.
Then, I said that it is our new letter. They did not know the name of this
letter. Therefore, I start to teach them this letter. I teach them how to
pronounce and recognize the letter M. Then, I tell them a story that I created
it supporting with picture to make it clear for them. During the story, which is
about the man and 3 little monkeys, I emerge math and color also in the
story. The thing that went well is that all children like the idea and engage
with my story. They wanted to participate by answering the name of the
pictures. I was using praise strategy a lot, which made children, listen to me
and follow my rules. The reason why I praise them a lot when they did
something good is because what Skinner said. According to him, he claimed
that children will do a specific behavior if they get reinforcement and praise.
After I finished telling the story, I make a small activity for students, which is
puzzle of the characters of the story, which start with letter M including man,
monkey, milk, mouth, music and moon. First, I give them instruction about
how to do the puzzle and then I give them the materials. They start do the
puzzle. Some children did the puzzle quickly. However, other did not know
how to do the activity. The thing that went wrong is my instruction because it
was not clear enough for them. Next time, I will improve my teaching in
giving instruction. I believe that this is a good experience in teaching
children because when I do mistakes, I learn and improve my teaching style.
After we finished the lesson, I sat with my MST in order to give me her
feedbacks whether my teaching was good or bad. She give me her

feedbacks and comments about my teaching. She said that I have a good
voice that all children can hear me. On the other hand, she said that I should
improve my management because some children were making noise and I
did not know how to handle them. Therefore, I was happy since I knew my
mistakes and next time I will improve my weaknesses.
Then, I went with children to playground area and observed them. Then, they
had an Arabic lesson. I attend with Arabic teacher and contribute in
managing the classroom with her. This is was my whole day. My general
feeling about this day was glad and satisfied because I taught and learnt
from my mistakes. Tomorrow I will teach about the color red. I hope I can
improve my teaching style.
Monday 12/10/15:
In the second day of the second week for teaching practice, I was so excited
to teach the children. I feel that I am a real teacher since I deal, teach and
communicate with them. I reach to the school at 7:30AM. I went to the class
to prepare my materials and stuff for teaching. My teaching lesson. I did
many activities for them.
At 8:30AM, I went to the assembly. I help my MST and make children stand in
the line in the morning assembly. Children were listening to me when I talk
and ask them to do things. I told them that I wanted from them to sing the
national song with their beautiful loud voice. They start to sing very loud
which made me so happy because they did what I asked them.
Reflection:
At 7:30AM, I teach for them the color red to communicate this lesson plan
with Ms. Samya stuff. Because yesterday I taught for children, I learned from
my mistakes and I tried to improve my teaching way with children. I sing with
children the morning song and do some movement. Them, I greet them. I
asked them about the days of the week. Then, I start teaching the color red.
First, I showed them a video about the color red. Then, I asked them to tell
me what they can see in the video that have the color red. Some children tell
me rights but others did not knew. After that, I make a little activity with all
of them. I let them to stand up and make a big circle. I taught them about
this game that we count from 1 to 3 then we said red, red and red. After we
say that together, I chose one of them to go and explore any object in the
classroom that have the color red. Students enjoy the girl and they have the
ability to recognize the color red from the other colors. When we finished this
game, I gave them a worksheet, which is write their name. They have to
color it with the color red. That will help them to recognize their name in
English. The thing that went well is my instruction. I gave them a clear
instructions supporting with examples to make the activities clear for them. I

knew that because all children understand my activities and do it

successfully. In contrast, the thing that went wrong is my management. I lose
the management control of the classroom when we went from the activity 1
to the activity 2. In order to improve that, I should make special techniques
when its transition time such as ringing a bell, sing a song or signs.
After I finished, I sat with my MST and she gave me her opinion about my
teaching for today. She told me about my strength and my weakness. Next
time, I will try to improve my teaching more and more.
When we finish, it was children breakfast time. They eat a chess sandwich
with milk. I remained them about the eating manners to make sure that all of
them know about the eating principles. Then, they went to play in the
playground. I went to observe them and keep an eye on them. After they
finished, they went to Arabic class. I attend with them the lesson to help
Arabic teacher. After then, children went home. I feel that my teaching style
is improve from before because I believe that when you teach the children,
you know how to improve the way your teach. I think the more I teach the
fast I will learn. I cannot wait tomorrow to teach the letter F.
Tuesday 13/10/15:
On Tuesday, I came to the school at 7:31AM with my materials. I attend the
morning assembly and help my MST to make sure that children attend the
morning assembly and stand quietly. For the first period, children had Arabic
lesson. Arabic teacher give them a lesson about one of Arabic letter. I help
her in managing the classroom during the activities. When they finished,
students went to play in areas and I went to observe and communicate with
them by asking them questions of what they are doing. Then, it was a
breakfast time, children learn about the eating manners so they eat and
finished quietly. I went with them to the playground to observe them. I stay
with them for 15 minutes. Then, I went to teacher room to eat breakfast with
them.
Reflection:
At 11:00AM, I start my lesson which about the letter F. As every day, I start
the usual routine, which is singing good morning song, greeting children and
remaining the days of the week by singing a song. After that, I sing with the
ABC song as a warm-up. I sing with children and children sing with me. They
observe the symbol of each letter as well. Then I start to teach. First,
because children like to listen to the story, I create a story about the letter f.
The characters of the story is all start with letter f such as flower, frog and
fish. I draw the story in the board. In addition, ask them questions as well. I
ask them about the letter f and the sound of it. After I finish the story, in the
PowerPoint, I put pictures of the letter f and the characters of the story. I ask

children to say the name of it and the sound of the letter. Children recognize
the letter F and the sound of it. After that, I create activates for them which
is worksheet. Children have to match the objects, which start with letter f
with the letter f. then they have to color them. Some children did it correct
from the first time others did not do it write until I support them. The things
that went well in my teaching in my instruction and my praise for them. I
notice that when I praise children who did a good job other children try to
copy what that child did. Moreover, my instruction was extremely clear so
they understand the tasks that they have to do. The thing that did not went
well is my management. I could not manage the children. When some boys
start to talk, I did not know how to make them quiet and pay attention. In
order to improve that, I should deal with them strongly and change their
places if they did not stop talking.
It was good experience. I learned a lot of thing and I make my relationship
with children positive. Tomorrow my MST will evaluate my teaching in math. I
will try to do my best to get a good evaluation from her.
Wednesday 14/10/15:
At 8:30AM, children had Arabic lesson. I helped Arabic teacher in taking the
attendance. We did the morning routine by choosing the hand helper. I let
him to count the students who came and tell me how many students are
absent. Then, Arabic teacher complete the lesson with them. She reviewed
with them about the Arabic letters that they took it before. I help her in
managing the transition and the classroom. After that, children had a break. I
went to prepare my lesson for them which is about number 1 and 2. I
prepared my stuff and materials in order to be organize and not losing time.
After children had their break time, I taught for them math lesson using
English language. Children enjoyed my lesson. That made me happy. My MST
evaluate me on that lesson. After that, the teacher gave me her feedback
about my lesson. I felt so proud of myself. Children went back at 12:00PM. I
cant wait for next week to teach children.

Journal and reflection

(Week3)
18th of Oct. 2015 21st of Oct. 2015

Sunday 18/10/15:
It is the third week of teaching practice in Al-Bahjah Kindergarten. The days
really went fast and I still have one more week to finish practicing in the
school. I reach to the school at 7:25AM. I decided with my MST that on
Tuesday, I will teach an English lesson and she will evaluate me. Thus, I sit in
the classroom waiting for children and I was preparing about ideas for my
teaching on Tuesday.
Some children came to the classroom at 7:40AM. I always use that time to
communicate with children in order to make a positive relationship with
them. I believe that making positive relationship with children is the key to
make children understand what I will teach. At that time, children were
playing in the areas. At 8:00AM, it was the tidy up time to go to the morning
assembly. I was clean up the classroom with children in order to be the role
model of them. According to Bandura, he claimed that children have role
model in their lives. They observe the behavior and make a schema in their
mind. Consequently, he will imitate that behavior again. This is why I clean
up with children because I want to be their model role. I should always be
careful when I do anything because children will copy my behaviors and
attitudes. Therefore, I have only to act positive in a good way.
At 8:15AM, I went with children to the morning assembly. After 15 minutes,
we went back to the classroom. At 8:30AM, children had Arabic lesson.
However, Arabic teacher was absent. Thus, I went with children to the library
and we spend our time there. There was no subtitles teacher so the
administration told us to go to the library.
At 8:30AM, children had Arabic lesson. I helped Arabic teacher in taking the
attendance. We did the morning routine by choosing the hand helper. I let
him to count the students who came and tell me how many students are
absent. Then, Arabic teacher complete the lesson with them. She reviewed
with them about the Arabic letters that they took it before. I help her in
managing the transition and the classroom.
At 9:30AM, children went to play in the different areas. I notice that one child
always play in computer area. He love technologies. Thus, I wrote in my
notice that this kid learn through technology. When I will design my lesson

plan for teaching, I will emerge technology in my teaching lesson. When they
finished playing, they went to eat their breakfast.
At 10:15AM, the students went to the playground. I went to observe them. I
felt like I adapt the routine of the school and my role as future teacher.
At 11:00AM, they had an English lesson. In this lesson, my MST gave them
the letter S and P. I help her in the beginning of the lesson by singing with
kids the morning song and the days of the week. Then, I sing with them the
alphabet Sounds as a warm up to them. After I finished, she start to give
them about the new letter, which are S and P.
I leave at 12:35AM.
Monday 19/10/15:
I reached in school at 7:33AM. I attend the morning assembly with children.
They sang and made some exercise. My MST was absent so children did not
had an English lesson because we decided with Arabic teacher that they
would have extra time of Arabic lesson. So they teacher can complete her
evaluation for children while I am giving children a review of the letters of
Arabic that they took.
Tuesday 20/10/15:
I reached to school at 7:25AM. I prepare my materials for the lesson.
Actually, this day was a big day since Ms. Toni and Ms. Maryam will came to
observe my lesson. At 8:30AM, I start teaching my lesson. My lesson was
about letter S. I did many activities and children enjoyed them. After I finish,
Ms. Toni and Ms. Maryam gave me a feedback. They gave my feedback of my
strength and my weakness. It was useful and I will try to improve my
weakness. My MST gave me her feedback as well. It was a useful day to me.
Wednesday 21/10/15:
On Wednesday, I reached at 7:25AM. I attended the morning assembly. After
that, children had English class. The teacher did with them the moring
routine by greeting, singing good morning song and review the days of the
week. She gave them a lesson about the part of the body because their
theme is about the part of the body. She turn on a video about head shoulder
and knees. She let children to touch their part of the body and tell the name
of it. After that, I teach for children how to write their name. I gave them a
worksheet to tracing. They wrote it correctly.

Journal and reflection

(Week4)
25th of Oct. 2015 28th of Oct. 2015

Sunday 25/10/15:
I reached at 7:23AM. I went to the classroom to greet children. Then we
attend together the morning assembly. Then, it was Arabic lesson. The
teacher gave them a new letter. After the lesson, the teacher gave them the
opportunity to play in areas. I went to observe and ask them cognitive
questions. Then, they have their breakfast. Once they finished, they went to
play in ground area. I sat with my MST to ask her some questions of my
booklet because I needed her help and knowledge of teaching. At 12:30PM,
we went home.
Monday 26/10/15:
On Monday, I decided with my MST that I would teach instead of her since
she was sick. I took her lesson play to teach children the lesson about letter
a. I sang with children the letter a song. Then, I did with them one activity
with is searching of the letter a in the classroom. I hide 5 pictures of letter a
in the classroom. Then I asked children to search on them. After that, the 5
children who found them I let them to stand in front of their friends and tell
them the sound of the letter. Then I gave them clay to make the latter a
using them. It was simple lesson however, children learn and enjoy.
Tuesday 27/10/15:
On Tuesday, we went with children to trip to old home people. My children
bring with them some gifts to give them to the old people there. When we
reached there, children did some activities of the old people. That made old
people happy. Then, children give them their gifts such as flowers. When
went back to school at 12:00PM. For 30miuntes, my MST and me sat with
children and talked with them about the trip.
Wednesday 28/10/15:

It was the last day in Al-bahja Kindergarten. I felt that the days went fast. I
enjoyed this TP and I felt that I will miss children and the school. I reached at
7:16AM. I went to prepare my materials for teaching children the last lesson.
I taught for them the letter a again. I make a review for them to make sure
that all children understand the letter a before I leave them. Then, I sat with
my MST at playing area time. She give me my Evaluation papers and survey.
Besides that, she give me assessment paper that they do for children. I was
happy since my MST evaluate me is very good which made satisfied. Then, it
was eating time with children. Children ate cheese sandwich and drink milk
in order to give them energy before they go to the playground area. After
they finished, I made children stand in line to go to play in playground. I went
to observe children with my MST from 10:15AM to 10:30AM. Finally, I went to
say goodbye for children and my MST. I went to the principle and all teachers
that knew me. I was happy because I made beautiful memories in Al-Bahja
Kindergarten.