Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
Today was my first day of practicum. I was
kind of nervous and little bit scared because
I thought I will have devotion for the
students, but instead other teacher leads it
because she does not know that I’ll be
having devotion. There was
misunderstanding between my cooperating
teacher and the other teacher. Anyways, it
was my first time having this kind of
environment inside the class in a reason that
it is not a regular class. Students have their
own paces (book) with different level inside
one classroom. Teachers are not teaching.
They only supervise the students like
checking their done paces, signing the test
and sometimes tutor the students one on
one. However, I was still confused for
everything because it is new for me. So, I
will only focus the time of the class. From
their schedule, it says there that class will
start at 8 am but at 7:40 am, they have
devotion. Then the class will end at 2 pm in
the afternoon. However, I was confused
because I was the first in the place and
teachers started to come at 7:40 am. We had
devotion, but it was different because they
only do the brief prayer then it was done
and not all the teachers were there, only
three of us. Another thing was that they
started the class around 8:15 am which is
different from the schedule. I do not know if
it was like that all the time, but it was
different because if it is the schedule, it
should be like that because it was a class.
Secondly, they ended very late compared to
the schedule which supposed to be at 2 pm.
They ended the class around 1:40 pm which
there still 20 minutes left before the time. It
Date: February 12, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What
could be improved? How? What will I do
differently? How does this connect to the theory
I have read from class?)
So, for this kind of observation for me, I
think it was related to the culture of the
people or might only the class.
Remember, Asian countries are tending
to be polychromic in terms of time.
However, I am from Asian country which
is the Philippines, I haven’t experience
that our class will starts late and ends
very early because being polychromic
does not apply in school or any offices
because these are important matters and
there are already schedules and this
matter are not by group, it was already
set. However, for the class that I have
been doing practicum, there is a
possibility that teachers start very late
because they might be waiting for all the
students to arrive before they start and
ends very early because maybe the reason
was because of the traffic. I am still
thinking the reason because there are
many reasons why they did it. Maybe the
reason was the teachers just want to
finish the class very early because it was
Monday and many things to do for the
students which are the homework.
However, I do not think that it is proper
not to follow the schedule because for me
not the following the schedule means that
I just want to finish my work and go
home, that’s it. Also, I am thinking if I
am not following the schedules, I am not
being professional to my work and I am
not serious to my students because I did
not give my all time to them. For being
polychromic or not following the
schedules, I think it is proper if there is a
valid reason. However, if there is no valid
was kind of confusing for me because it was
my first day. I am thinking maybe they just
ended very early because students might
have something to do.
reason like calamity or any disaster
happen, it supposed not to be violate
because as teachers, we are the role
model of the students. Time is important
very important to each person whether
the person is polychromic or
monochromic. Teachers should not waste
the time of the people and to the students.
Students are going to school to learn and
time is also part of it to be learn. And it
can be learned inside the class or school.
For me, if the teachers want to learn the
students the importance of time, they
should teach the students. Yes, there is no
teaching in the class, however, it can be
discussing by the teachers how important
time is, and how important to follow the
schedule. It can also be teaching in
different ways which the teachers can be
a model that they will follow the schedule
and they should be in time; starts on time,
do not be late and ends the class on time.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
It was my first day to have devotion. I
prepared everything for the students. I
thought that I will be teaching in different
classroom, but it did not happen. I did
devotion and I thought it will be easy
because it is only devotion. However, I was
wrong because it was hard for me to let the
students stop talking and just listen to me
because it was devotion. They did not listen
to me. It was hard for me to teach the
devotion because most of them are talking
and two of the students were fighting or
mocking each other which was inappropriate teachers and the shadow teacher which is
because they are still kids. They did not
listen to my devotion. So, my cooperating
teacher stand to them and told the students
to listen to the devotion. Yes, the students
listened to the teacher. However, when it
was my time to continue my devotion, they
started to talk and tease each other. I felt
disrespect from them. I wanted to shout and will be different from the actual classroom
let them stop or give them punishment.
However, it was hard for me because I do
not know their culture. I do not know if I am it was different because my classmates
allowed to give them punishment because
they might complain to their parents. I was
not prepared of not learning the culture or
the rules inside the classroom. Students
were very stubborn, and I do not know how
to handle them. I also do not know if they
learned something from my devotion. Yes, I
understand that this class in non-teaching
class. However, I was not prepared that it
also affects to their behavior inside the
classroom; lack of order and lack of
discipline. Yes, it was also my fault because I behavior of college students is different from
did not apply any classroom management or
rules for them to follow.
Date: February 13, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could
be improved? How? What will I do differently? How
does this connect to the theory I have read from
class?)
My second of practicum but this was also
happened during my observation and my first
day of practicum which was yesterday. I did
not expect that it will be hard for me to
organize my students because they are
already 7, 8, and 9 years old. I think one of
the factor because it was hard to organize
them is because it is mix with normal students
and special needs students. However, the
normal students tend to be more messy and
stubborn than the special needs students
because special needs students followed their
their tutor. I think the problem is also
because of me in a reason that I am not
enough prepared for this kind of environment
which means that I am having difficulty of
managing this kind of students. my
expectation was to high for them. I never
thought that what I am doing micro-teaching
because yes, I am having my micro teaching,
however my students were my classmates and
followed me because they only acted as a
student however in the actual classroom I
forgot that they were not acting. They are
students that some of them are hard to
manage or deal and some of them are a good
student who followed the teachers.
I think it was good I experienced this kind of
set-up because it means that I need to
manage my classroom management and I need
to remember that every student has their own
behavior or character and I forgot that the
the kids.
Experiencing this is very challenging.
However, I need to change and learned from
it which means that I need to know the
different behavior of my students so that my
class has an order and I need to provide rules
inside the class so that there is order and
discipline.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
 I did my first teaching to
the class.
 I was kind of having
expectation to the
students that they will also
be cooperative because I
haven’t see my
cooperating teacher teach.
 During my teaching, it was
chaotic and messy.
Students did not cooperate
and listen to me. They
kept talking, mocking and
teasing each other.
 They did not listen to my
discussion. They did not
listen to my rules. They did
not listen to me.
 One student cried because
of mocking and because
the other students kept
saying to her that she is a
“liar”.
 The room was chaotic and
messy.
 So, my cooperating teacher
step in and she told the
students to stop and listen.
My teacher told them
about mocking each other
and not listening to the
teacher.
 After expressing and
correcting the students, I
went back to my teaching.
At least, it was a little bit
organized. However, they
still do not listen to me.
 So, I just went directly to
the art activity and hoping
Date: February 14, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could be
improved? How? What will I do differently? How does
this connect to the theory I have read from class?)
I was nervous with my first teaching because
I do not see my cooperating teacher
teaching. But when I did my teaching, it was
chaotic. I would say that there is no
classroom management in the class. Yes, it
was also my fault because I did not organize
them, and my rules does not affect to them.
But I did not expect that all of them will be
stubborn. I do not know if it because they do
not have teaching. I do not know if it is
because inside the class, there is no rules to
follow. I do not know if it because they have
problem with the listening skills because they
do not know discussion. I do not know if they
just do not have manner or discipline
because even my cooperating teacher was
not being obeyed by them. Anyways, I am
sure that the class is lacking classroom
management in a reason that they do not
apply any rules and punishment inside the
class that trigger the students to not follow
the teachers or the old people in the class.
However, I have noticed that students are
organized if they are doing something like an
activity for them. Doing an activity to them
was the only time that they became less
noisy and chaotic. It is important to the
students to have and activity. However, I am
thinking what if I will just give them and
activity all the time. However, I do not think
if it is better to give them only activity
without any discussion. But it still a question
though.
I think the teacher should implement any
rules or punishment inside the classroom
because it gives the students an idea to what
is allowed inside the classroom and what is
not allowed in the classroom so that there
will be order inside the classroom and
students will learn to be discipline. I asked
 that they will be more my cooperating teacher why the students
cooperative. being like that, she said it was because of
 I was relief because they the family. The parents of the students in
became cooperative during the class are always in the work and they do
activity. not have time to bond with their kids. Maybe
this is one of the reason why students are
lacking discipline.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
 I did a devotion. But it
was different.
 I used the movie clip to
do my devotion about
the story of Dinah who
got into trouble.
 Surprisingly, students
were able to listen the
movie. I was amazed.
Date: February 15, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could be
improved? How? What will I do differently? How does this
connect to the theory I have read from class?)
So, in my first devotion or my first class, it
was very chaotic. Students were not
participating well. They listened to my
discussion. However, they still talked to each
other. They were messy. I am honestly saying
that there was no order inside the class. So. I
want to try another approach to know if it will
be effective to the students. I would say that
it was better than my previous lesson or
devotion.
So, I used the movie clip to know if they will
like it or not; to know if it will be effective to
the students or not. So, it was effective. It
was effective because students were able to
listen and cope the video. They were able to
understand the story. While they were
watching. I am asking them some questions to
know if they were listening and I would say
that they listened because they answered my
questions. So, I would say that discussion is
not effective to them because I think it is
because they were depended on their paces
which means the discussion was not practiced
and it is not applicable for them.
So, I think searching or applying different
approach to the students is very important. It
will help to the students to know which is
better for them to learned well and cooperate
well especially for this kind of curriculum they
are using which means that the approach is
not like the normal class because teaching is
not practice and it is not applicable to them.
However, I need to remember that not all the
time I need to let them watch videos because
students need an engaging class so that they
will be able to use their talents or the teacher
will know the different intelligences that each
student has. However, if the approach or like
letting the students watch the videos is very
helping to them, I think it is better to stay
that approach firs. However, it is better if the
teacher will add an activity for the students
like crafts.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
 I saw a student from other
class punching the boys in
my class without any
reason.
 She was very mad to them
without any reason.
 The teacher called the
mother of the student.
However, the mother
cannot still handle the
child in a reason that the
student still looking for
the boys and punch them.
 The teachers tried to
separate the student from
other students.
 I tried to explain the boys
who were punched by that
kid.
Date: February 19, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could be
improved? How? What will I do differently? How does this
connect to the theory I have read from class?)
So, it was my first time to encounter like
that that a kid is punching the boys without
any reasons. It was overwhelming for me
because I do not know what to do. However,
thankfully they called the mother. The
mother was there with the child to stop her
even though that she was still punching the
other students of mine. I understand the
decision of the teachers to called the mother
in a reason that teachers cannot only focus
to the child but they also have another
student that they need to look for. It is also
a way to let the student go back home so
that she cannot punch other students.
Until now, it was still a question for me why
the student punch the boys in my class. I
also noticed that the boys she was punching
were starting to question and trying to be
violent also. So, what I did is I explained
them that be just understanding because she
might have disability or have emotional
behavior disorder or in other words she is
different from other students. However, I
was surprised because they do not even
know that she is not normal or she has
disabilities. I was surprised because I thought
the normal students know the condition of
the other class which are full of students
who are different. I am still questioning now
if it is a good way not to explain the normal
students about the condition of the other
class from the teacher.
Furthermore, I think the teachers did the
good decision to call the mother and
separate the child from the other students so
that she will not cause any harm. The
teachers were also alert to what they need
to do to her and also, I saw that even though
the child cause harm to the students, they
still understand but with firm in a reason
that they were stopping her but they were
not causing any harm to her. They hold her
and stopped her to be near from other
students. I think it was a good what the
teachers did because if they harmed her, the
students might do something worse. But,
they were patience and understanding and it
also showed that they were prepared what
to do next if this event will happen again.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(Wat Happened?)
 This day was just a routine
because the students have
their own work to finish.
 Students were doing their
own paces to finish their goal.
As I said before, if the
students finish their goals
before the class ends, they
can play outside the class.
 But during the class, some of
the students were playing,
and they were not even doing
their paces.
 However, the
teachers/supervisors
abstained the students from
what they are doing. But, not
all of them will follow.
 Also, just inform that if the
students are done with their
paces, they need to check-it
by themselves. They have all
the correct answers in the
middle of the class which is
called score key. Students can
use the score key anytime as
they finish their paces.
Date: February 20, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could be
improved? How? What will I do differently? How does
this connect to the theory I have read from class?)
This day was just a normal day for me.
Nothing different from this day. So,
students were doing their paces as usual
and if they are done they can go outside
and play. I think the reason is that it is a
motivation for the students to finish their
goal that time. However, because some of
the students 1-2 hours before the end of
class is kind of wasting their time. Yes, it
was a reward for the students if they
finish their paces, however, it is a waste
of time if it is like that always. I am
thinking if it is appropriate for the
students because 1-2 hours playing is not
helping them to learn. I think it is better
if the teacher will give them something to
do aside from playing so that they can
also learn. The teacher can give them an
activity for them to do for the remaining
time and it can also enhance the talent of
the student. The teacher can give drawing
activity or craft activity or the teacher
can give them choices of what the
students wanted to do so that they do not
need to go outside and just play because
the students has break which means they
can go out and play.
Furthermore, inside the class is not just
about studying. There will be students
who will just play even though the
teachers already abstained them or
stopped them from playing. It is a
distraction from other students who were
doing their paces and those students did
not even care. And that is why they
cannot finish their goal every day because
of playing. Order and discipline were not
taught and it hindering the students to
follow orders. It is not a good idea for me
just to stopped those students who do not
follow orders because just stopping them
will not let them learned. I think it is
better if the teacher establishes rules
inside the class so that there will be an
order. If the students will not follow, then
there will be consequences upon their
action.
Also, I do not know if it appropriate if the
students will check their answers with the
use of the score key in a reason that there
is possibility that the students will just
memorize the answers and memorizing
does not mean the students are learning.
It is possible that they will memorize the
wrong answers like what to one of my
student. He memorized a wrong answer
not because the score key is wrong but
because he memorized the answer of
different question. For doing that, the
students got wrong in his activity. I think
it is better if the teacher just check it by
themselves rather than checking it their
own. It is also better if the teacher
teaches or review the students’ work
which they are having a problem so that
they will learn also from their mistakes.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
 I did my second teaching which
means that it was my second
and the last teaching in this
school. Two people observed
me for my teaching.
 I would say that I am still
learning this kind of approach
or this kind of class because it
was different from the real
class which I meant that this
kind of class was not studied or
practice by me as a soon to be
teacher.
 The class was chaotic as usual.
It was a normal already but it
needs an improvement.
 I understand they are active so
it is better if the teacher use
their energy in their activity
then it will be better.
 The students were able to
cooperate even though it is not
organized.
Date: February 21, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could
be improved? How? What will I do
differently? How does this connect to the theory I
have read from class?)
So, today was last day of teaching. I
was teaching about weather. This
lesson is very simple. However, I have
students with different grades. They
were also mix. I have students with
disabilities. It means that the lesson
should be easy and simple that is
applicable to all the grades.
So, I had the discussion which I
usually do in the micro-teaching. Yes,
some students were able to listen and
cooperate. However, there students
were noisy because they are teasing
or mocking each other. I understand
already that it was hard to teach
students with different grades and
abilities or disabilities. But I need to
be creative of how to deal and
manage this kind of class. So, during
the class, I had pictures to show the
different weather. Thankfully, the
students were able to know because
weather is very common to the
people. I differentiate the different
weather and the students were able
to differentiate also. I did an activity
to them which is the weather clock. I
was kind of surprise because some the
weather clock was still wet because
of the glue. However, thankfully the
students understood it.
I was amazed because even though
this class does not have any order and
I know it was my job to make an
order, but during the activity, they
were cooperated. I saw also how
creative they are. I also some of the
students who have talent in drawing
or coloring which makes me think that
it is better to enhance or practice the
talent of the students.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
 I went to the other class
which this class is
different from mine. This
class has the students who
have different disabilities.
 This is the classroom of
Kong but this is different
because I got to know
better the students with
disabilities.
 I got a chance to lead
them because the
teachers were having a
meeting and I was the
only person who is
available to look for
them.
 The students were
innocent for me because
they listened to me.
 Students were following
my instructions and it was
amazing because students
with disabilities is kind of
difficult to get organized.
 We had time to sing
songs.
Date: February 22, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could be
improved? How? What will I do differently? How does this
connect to the theory I have read from class?)
I was very blessed to be part of this class
because I got the chance to experience this
kind of class which is different from my
practice or from the normal class. I got to
know the students with different disabilities
and how very blessed I am to experience in a
reason that even though they have
disabilities I feel like they can still
understand you. They listened to me even
though I am just a visitor. They followed my
instructions even though I am not their
teacher. They were having fun with me even
though I am a stranger. They were innocent.
I was amazed because they did not feel shy
maybe a little bit but when I sing with them
and dance with them, their shyness was
gone. They were able to had fun with me.
There was a student, he has learning
disabilities. He was the one who always lead
the students to sing a song. In other words,
he likes singing. I got a chance to sing with
him and the other students. Even though
we're not having a lesson but there was this
connection between me and the students.
When I told them not to be noisy, they will
be quiet. When I told them to sit on their
chairs, they listened to me. These students
were following my instructions. I think these
kind of class is very important to experience
in a reason that the student-teacher will
have a knowledge about students with
disabilities. It is because learning and
studying alone is not effective. It is better to
practice it in the real class with students
with different disabilities because like me, I
had the chance but it helps me to
understand these kinds of students. I was
able to know them better in a reason that
each student has their own disability like a
student who has opposite meaning of his
thinking. That kid told me that cheating is
very good because he will get a good grade. I
told him it is not good because it means you
are deceiving your teacher and yourself in a
reason that you got good grades however you
do not even understand anything. However,
he did not even cheat in his paces because
his teacher told me that everything that he
is saying is opposite from what he means. It
was amazing and funny for me. However, I
need to be open-minded that there are
people like him. Thankfully, the teacher
explained me his condition because I might
argue with him. This kind of Special Needs is
just an example for me that there are many
students who have the same problem with
him or might different, it might better than
his condition or worst. I was very blessed to
encounter like. It is not because they have
special needs but because I got to know
them better in a reason that most people
just know their disabilities and some people
think that these people are anathema in the
society. However, what I saw was different
when I observed them, I was able to
understand them better through
communicating and approaching them. I got
to know them better that these students
have their own world and it takes love to
understand and enter into their world.
These students are God’s children also. We
need to learn that they were created by the
image of God. Yes, we do not know why they
are like that. However, the best thing to do
is to love them and understand them. God
has purpose to these people and we do not
know what. The other thing that we need to
do is to trust God because He is sovereign.
Dialectical Journal for ED 335 Teaching Practicum
Observations/ Account
(What Happened?)
 The school had its Chinese
Celebration.
 It was held inside the
condominium.
 There were groups that were
made. Each group needs to
complete all the stations that
they were given. Each station
has challenges that the group
needs to complete.
 However, it was unfair because
the members were not
distributed properly in a reason
that one group had all the
members of Special Needs and
they did not have any guide.
 But I saw a normal student who
took care of a student who has
down syndrome. He always
brings her anywhere where he
goes even play with him.
Date: February 23, 2018
Reflections & Critical Response
(What do I think of it? What went well? What could be
improved? How? What will I do differently? How does
this connect to the theory I have read from class?)
It was my first time to celebrate Chinese
New Year because back home I never
celebrated it in short because I am not
Chinese. So, the school were having the
celebration. However, it was disorganized
because some of the teachers do not
know what to do because they only
planned yesterday before the event. So,
the instructions that were given to the
students were not clear in a reason that
the program were not ran well. Some
students were just playing and some of
them were just sitting in the corner and
not cooperating the program. I think it
would be better if the teachers planned it
well before having the program. It also
better if the groups were distributed
properly because it is unfair if all the
better and energetic students are in the
same group. It is better if the students
with Special Needs were distributed to
properly to the groups so that they were
also contribute something and have fun
the normal students. It is also a way not
to have stereotyping in terms of grouping.
It also allows the Special Needs students
to socialize with the normal students. It is
also a way to show the students with
Special Needs that they are part of the
program and they are not different from
others.
Having this kind of program is another
way to let all the students socialize and
know each other. It is because that inside
the class is just about all the students
there. It is better to socialize other
students from different classes like what I
saw. There was a normal student who was
the one taking care of the kid with down
syndrome. It was amazing because I saw
that he is a different from others who will
bullied them. But, he was opposite. He
was an example that normal students
should also socialize students with Special
Needs. There are no differences that can
hinder someone to have friend even
though they are Special needs. Special
Needs students have also the freedom to
have their own friend. And I having a
friend can boost their confidence and fell
love from other people aside from their
family.