Teaching Practice Reflection Week 9 (October 21 – October 25, 2024) Sem 3

Teaching Practice Reflection Week 9 (October 21 – October 25, 2024)

“A map is the greatest of all epic poems. Its lines and colors show the realization of great dreams.”

- Gilbert H. Grosvenor

Class: 8th G

Chapter: Reading Maps

Introduction

During Week 9 of my teaching practice at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Nedumangad, I continued teaching the chapter Reading Maps to the 8th G class. The focus this week was on enhancing students’ map interpretation skills through practical exercises, group activities, and interactive discussions.

Classroom Teaching

This week’s key concepts included:

1.Contour Lines and Landforms:

I introduced students to contour lines and explained how they represent elevation and landforms on topographic maps. Through hands-on activities, students practiced interpreting elevation changes and identifying hills, valleys, and plateaus.

2.Types of Thematic Maps:

I discussed various types of thematic maps, such as population density maps, climate maps, and resource maps. Students were asked to analyze thematic maps and infer key information from them.

3.Using Coordinates to Locate Places:

Building on the previous lessons, I conducted exercises on using latitude and longitude coordinates to locate places accurately on a map. Students worked in pairs to practice plotting and identifying locations.

4.Map-Based Problem Solving:

I introduced map-based problem-solving scenarios where students had to interpret different map types to solve real-world problems (e.g., planning a travel route or identifying safe areas during natural disasters).

Substitution Periods

During substitution periods, I conducted a fun map-based treasure hunt activity to reinforce the concepts learned. This interactive exercise fostered teamwork and critical thinking among the students.

Additional Responsibilities

1.Mid-Day Meals: I assisted with the distribution of mid-day meals, ensuring the process was smooth and efficient.

2.Class Assignments: I assigned map interpretation worksheets and reflective questions to reinforce the week’s lessons.

3.Evening Duties: I continued managing line duty, ensuring students dispersed in an orderly and safe manner.

Reflections and Observations

Students demonstrated improved confidence and accuracy in interpreting maps by the end of the week. Many actively participated in discussions and problem-solving exercises, showcasing critical thinking and collaboration skills. The hands-on activities and group work effectively deepened their understanding of the topic.

Summary

Week 9 was a productive and interactive week, marked by students’ enhanced map-reading skills and active engagement in class activities. By incorporating practical exercises and group activities, I was able to foster a deeper understanding of Reading Maps and promote collaborative learning. This week underscored the value of experiential learning in Social Science education.