D. Teaching Practice

1. Procedures of Teaching

Before the week that I will be teaching independently, I first made a detailed lesson plans; stating everything what I am going to say and stating the possible responses of the learners. Next, I translated my lesson plans into Bahasa Indonesia language for me to be familiar of the terms and phrases to use during the class.  After translating, I submitted my lesson plans to my cooperating teachers for some corrections in my bahasa translation of my lesson plans.

We usually held our Physical Education (Sports) classes outside the classroom (in an open area) so that the students can execute the exercises or drills well.

I started every class with a prayer first before the discussion or lesson. Since I am not a Muslim and I do not know their prayers, I used to ask Mr. Wawan (Cooperating teacher) or invite a student to lead the prayer before the class discussion, but at my last lesson which is my demonstration, I was able to lead the opening prayer and the closing prayer to the class. After the prayer comes the motivation before going to the lesson proper. I always conduct games for the students to play before the start of the discussion since elementary students will become interested and more active to the lesson when they do enjoy; and of course, the games are connected to the lesson. After the motivation comes the discussion. I usually demonstrate the skills while saying the instructions first before letting them try and practice. After letting them try to figure and practice how to do the skills right, I will then create a drill and let them practice the proper execution of the skills though the drills. After the drill comes another game in which the skills that was discussed in the lesson will be applied- this is how I did in the lesson flow.

After the application, I usually gather the class for the summary and the generalization; correcting for the proper way of doing the skill, then a prayer at the end of each classes.

2. Time Management and Organizing Activities

Time is one of the most important elements in teaching and in learning. The effectiveness of the teaching process depends on how do teachers manage their time for teaching and during teaching.

For the efficient use of time, I considered first the fact that there might be some changes or alternation of plans in the actual lesson; it means that I could not follow exactly the lesson flow and I might change it according to the needs of the learners during the actual lesson. I also considered that the learners might not understand me almost all the time due to the language difference.

Communication to the students is one of the most important tools for organizing activities and managing the activities. The day before the discussion, I used to list down and familiarize simple phrases in Bahasa Indonesia language in order for the students to understand me even just for a little bit whenever I will give instructions to them (aside from having what I will say; the listed words written in the detailed lesson plan).

Aside from having a detailed lesson plan, I also have the semi-detailed lesson plans in which it has the time frame on how long a certain activity will last; for example, the motivation (games) should not exceed 15 minutes, the drill should not exceed 20 minutes, etc., and during the lesson, I see to it that the activities will not exceed the allotted time.

3. Problem-Solving

Problems and concerns are the things we don’t want to happen, but these are important because without these, we will not grow! Problems and concerns help us sharpen our minds by using our critical thinking and decision skills!

I could not think of any problem/s here during my practice teaching than the LANGUAGE.

I had to consume a lot of time typing words and phrases in my phone and translating it to bahasa Indonesia language using a translator app first, then writing it in a notebook so that I could find the words through the notes.

What I did in order to make this concern/problem easier was; of course I have to use the translator app a lot. Aside from using the translator app, I also ask my buddy (Yoga and Mawas) and my cooperating teacher (Miss Tika) about the Indonesian words or terms that I will be using if it is right then I have to remember the right words and the right way to say it. Another thing that I did was taking down verbs, adjectives, adverbs, nouns/pronouns, etc. that I might be using a lot during my stay here then, learned how to construct basic or simple sentences in Indonesian language. Another thing that I did was I listed some Indonesian phrases that I think it will be useful for me like “Apakah anda besa berbahasa Inggris?” (Do you speak English?), “Maaf, saya tidak bisa bahasa Indonesia” (Sorry, I do not speak Indonesian), etc. in order for me to use it mostly outside the school in asking for directions, buying something, etc.

Anyway, I am glad that people do understand me if I cannot say the exact words that should be coming out of my mouth. I felt comfortable in my communication to the people that I have encountered with everyday even though I had a language barrier with them.

4. Classroom Management

I would describe classroom management as how did I handle or manage challenges that arose during my practicum, specifically during my teaching in the classes. There were a number of challenges or problems that I had while in the class delivering the lesson; first was that if the students were noisy during the lesson or they are being distracted by something and they became less attentive to the lesson. Another challenge that I have encountered during the practicum was if the students could not understand my instructions or the words that I am saying even if it was in Bahasa Indonesia language.

Whenever the first mentioned concern arouse, I would usually raise my voice volume while speaking to the students without being or getting angry, or if they I could not get their attention by raising my voice volume, I would pause (be silent) for a little bit of time until the students will wonder why I stopped talking, after they became curious and silent, then it will be the time for me to resume talking to them. Another thing that usually happened when the students were noisy was that Mr. Wawan would come voluntarily help in making the students behave. If the second concern arouse, what I would usually do was; I would usually go to my cooperating teacher and ask him about the right terms to say certain words in Bahasa Indonesia. Aside from asking him about the right terms, I would usually request him or a student to interpret the meaning of what I am trying to say to the students. I would usually do some actions while saying the instructions in front of the students then after that, Mr. Wawan would further explain the instructions for the better understanding of the learners.