Page 5 : My first demo!

Growth isn’t found in perfection; it’s in the moments we step forward, ready to improve.

On October 28th, 2024... guess what finally happened?! Yeah, it is clearly written in the title, haha. I finally had my first demo! The schedule was moved back a little bit since there was a lot class suspensions due to Typhoon last week. I was so scared and nervous that I thought I wouldn't do well, but it turns out my mentor said that I did well! I am so proud of myself, as this was the first time I'm teaching mathematics in English with my mentor observing me. I believe this first experience will help me become a better teacher in the future. Keep it up, Lala!

4 hours before my demo...

In the morning, I observed Mathematic classes in 10-Newton and 10-Descartes. The lesson focused on Finding the Zeros of P(x). The class followed the usual routine, starting with a review, after which Mr. Banigon led the lesson by explaining the material. The class was ended with Mr. Banigon assigning them homework.

After the two sections, Mr. Banigon assigned Analie (the other student teacher) and me to check students' assignments from the previous lesson.

After checking the assignments, I started preparing for my first demo. Finally, at 12.15 pm, I was ready stand in the classroom, setting up the LCD for my digital presentation and practicing my teaching a bit more. By 12.35 pm, all the students were seated neatly, and my cooperating teacher was already sitting at the back, so I could finally begin my demo.

Before I share the detailed description about my first demo. I will show you the lesson plan that I prepared. Here is the lesson plan.

I started the class with a brainstorming session. My demo teaching material was about the measures of central tendency, specifically focusing on the mean of ungrouped data. So, I asked the students about what they knew about summarizing data.

After the brainstorming session, I introduced the topic for the day: measures of central tendency. Before diving into the main topic, I gave them a brief overview of measures of central tendency, explaining that there are three types and providing a short definition for each. This led us smoothly into the main focus, the mean of ungrouped data, since I explained that we would be concentrating on the first type of measure.

Next, I shared the learning objectives, asking one student to read them aloud so everyone would be aware of the goals for the lesson.

Then, I began my first demonstration about the mean of ungrouped data by explaining the definition, formula, and a few examples.

For the next activitty, I introduced Create Your Own Real-Life Mean. In groups of three or four, students created a data set based on a real-life situation and then calculated the mean. I initially allotted 10 minutes for this activity, but Mr. advised us that 5-7 minutes would be more appropriate next time.

My intention of this activity is for them to make a list of data from their real life situations and then calculate the mean of it. This activity was a group activity with 3 to 4 members each group. I gave them around 10 minutes, but then Mr. Banigon told me that it was actually too long of a time. So, he told me that next time I should just give them 5-7 minutes for this kind of activity. After all of the groups finished their work, there was 3 groups presenting their works in front of the class. 

The wrap up the lesson, I guided a generalization of the day's learning. I asked the students to share what they had learned.

I assigned a short quiz as homework and closed the class. I followed the same steps for both 10-Newton and 10-Descartes. Here are some photos of my first demo.

Afterward, my cooperating teacher, Mr. Banigon, reviewed my teaching with me, providing feedback for improvement in future demos. Here are his notes.

So, that was all about my first demo! It was challenging because it was my first experience, but I believe that I will improve with each one. Please, stay tuned for my second demo and beyond, hehe! See you soon! <3