Assignment+Community+Service+Reflection

Assignment #: Community Service Reflection A .D. Arthurs University of Belize Social Studies Methods and Methods for Primary School Teachers ESOC2152 Section 1  Mr. Kevin G. Tucker (Teacher) May 3rd, 2012 __CALVARY TEMPLE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT REFLECTION __ I have been working with three Standard six students of Calvary Temple Primary School. The three students include two girls and one boy. However, the best part of doing this community service was interacting with the students of Calvary Temple. The reason why interacting with the students even those who were not a part of the community service was because the students were welcoming, and students were accept plus it seemed that the students were thankful and excited and excited about greeting and communicating with a visitor. Another reason why interaction was with the students was the best was because the student showed me that they were appreciative of the assistance, vocalized where assistance helped. I also like when I explained things to the students and they were able to comprehend the information. All the students that I interacted with even the ones who were not a part of the service program were quite communicative, curious and were not afraid to ask questions. The child were polite though some of the one who were not a part of the community service would say things that I’d consider mean and they were quick to hit the students seems to have a sweet ambiance about them. Though the school has its quirks they are doing something right in way students should conduct themselves and the way that they communicate, plus interact with each other, because the students in general seemed comfortable with their environment. The hardest part of doing the community service was to start because I first had to deal with the fact that I was going to enter an institution that I did not know, plus work with an administration and students that I did not know. Therefore, the hardest part was the idea of the unknown which did materialize on the first day of my tutoring service. In addition, starting also entailed that I had to invent time and stretch myself, thereby resulting in other work to not being up to mark with where I’d like them. Community service is time consuming since it requires planning, as well as actually set a time that you must meet so that the children do not see themselves as after though but instead to reinforce their importance. Another thing that made this program hard was because a particular student was far behind therefore he needed much more help, but it was required of me that whatever I planned must include what the teacher was teaching at moment. Teaching current concept was difficult when the students had not mastered the basic, however I did integrate basic with current concepts but the program would have been more effective if the mastering of basic was focused upon and if there was more contact time with the students. At the beginning of this project I had never taught the curriculum to a primary school class setting, therefore I was hesitant to participate because I was not sure I’d do a good job or if my methodology would be effective. The students in this project allowed me to see that my methodology and approach was a different perspective and the way that I explained the information seemed more easy and clear. I must say that the students’ vocalization of how I taught was both surprising and encouraging. The students taught me that as a teacher I should bring in other individuals to present on the same topics that I have taught, so that the other individual would give a new viewpoint which would clear up information for those who were not getting it and reinforce concept to those who already got it. A new face would also be refreshing to the students. At the beginning of this project I did not know that there were some expectations of teachers that I’d usually place on the administration. I also did not know that teacher could be chewed in front of a visitor. It was also very surprising to find out that students were promoted to higher class due to age or what they termed social promoting. It was revealed to me that students could reach standard six and still be at Standard one – Standard two level or lower in Math and English. This project has also taught me that in a lot of way the teachers and administration hands are tied, since it is common of students to missed classes, to have flooded compound, to be limited in space and to face strongholds, mindset and other issues. I must say that teachers in some extent are laid back and their expectations are low because since a culture is known of the students they do not try to counteract it but at the same time they are told there are certain things that they cannot establish. Another this project has taught me is that our emotions and feels are apparent in our body language and tone. I was able to hear a particular teacher instructing and the tone and word choice from where I was implied to a particular set of students that they were slow. If I was put broadly what slow in that particular instant mean then I would need to say ‘stupid,’ ‘dumb,’ and ‘a waste of time;’ which the teacher never said but the tone and word choice gave that impression, and as a student that would have totally shut me off from learning. Hence, this project has also taught me that it would be good to be observed by someone you trust, without knowing with the purpose of being enhanced without reprobation so that you can note some concerns, weakness and strengths and make appropriate adjustment. The project has informed me that the students in our community need help and that particular attention would go a far way. However, though the need is quite necessary I believe that when you enter an institution that you are would be particular responsible for because you were hired that time would be limited so sure I’d like to continue in the program but my priority would need to be straight and thereby time must be allotted for such a venture. Being a part of the University of Belize helped to open doors because of teacher’s and institution connection but educational institution are often very hesitant about allowing outside individuals into their institutes for fear of possible issues that may occur. The major change I would want to impart to the students is that if they take their education serious by studying, reading, listening and seeking help that they could excel at any high school in Belize. The students in my community service program actually have scratched out certain particular high school from their list because they see academically too high or because they have strict discipline. I have also heard individuals say that only a few students from the Standard six class will pass the PSE, and the class only has fourteen students. It should be noted that I was teaching Math and I found that one of my student is good in Math but just not confident, the next student was fair in Math while the last student skills must be considered poor, but on further scrutiny I it is apparent that the child is very far behind in both English and Math that it is affecting blears his potential. I believe that students who are behind or quiet are often over passed, therefore as time progress they find themselves in deeper holes. The project caused me to wonder how I would manage my class if I had such wide variation of levels and what activities I would enrol since I know it is required of the educational institution that you follow the syllabus. I believe that because each class has a specific syllabus that must be attend to teacher are pressured to follow the curriculum which is set for a particular level and ends up neglecting other students. Though this reflection could be quite extensive I must wrap it up and in doing so I must say that I’ve learnt that I can tutor in Math, which was requested of me by the institution instead of science which I had intended. I must say I quite enjoyed my experience but was mainly concerned about the low expectation of the teachers, the reprimand of teacher in front of me on the first day, tone of instruction by a teacher, culture of absentees, and nonchalant approach to education. Technology, which I learnt through communication with different students, was an integral part of their lives, since Standard five students that I interacted with were telling me that they had Facebook and phones with internet. The computer room which the tutoring was being done was apparently non-functional and gave the impression that technology was not integrated into instruction. It was good that the community service was done at the same school but I would suggest that a specific class level be keyed on and that all the tutors go to the same class. In addition it would be more effective if the student would interact with different tutors more than once a week, plus one on one tutoring would be most effective. Also, to lighten the weight of the tutors it would be greatly appreciated if all the course work would be spread out and not clumped together or riding at the end of the semester. Thank you for an interesting experience in this community service project.