The document summarizes a teacher trainee's journal entries from their practicum teaching English to 3rd graders. In the first entry, the trainee describes using storytelling, images, and interactive activities which engaged students. Preparing materials thoroughly helped the trainee feel relaxed. The second entry notes the success of sharing a personal photo and playing board games, though games were noisy. The third entry finds that images, stories and games continue to engage students and using familiar techniques regularly is important. The trainee aims to leave a positive impression on students as they are like wet cement, taking on all influences.

1. Instituto de Formación Docente Continua
Lenguas Vivas Bariloche (A-052)
Profesorado de Inglés – Opción pedagógica a distancia
Subject: Taller de la Práctica docente
Tutors´ names: Cecilia Zemborain and Aurelia Velazquez
Student's name: Gisela Restivo
Assignment: My Journal- Period 2

2. Trainee´s name: Gisela Restivo
Practicum level: Primary
Group: 3rd grade
Class number: 1
Date: 3rd
August
Section 1: Describing the lesson as it unfolds
What teaching strategies did you use? Which ones were effective? Why / why
not?
The lesson plan is student centred, therefore all the strategies I used were taught
according to the students’ ´interests. That is why I told them a story using simple
words and colourful images. In addition, I took a poster with parts of the house and
cards with names of the rooms. These activities helped audiovisual learners and also
kinaesthetic ones because they were supposed to stand up, come near the poster and
choose the correct room. I think that the strategies were effective because students
were totally engaged and participative.
Section 2: Making sense of the lesson through relevant lived experiences
Choose a moment that was important for you during the lesson. Describe it
and say why it was important.
In this opportunity, I would like to talk about the previous moments of the lesson. I
spent lots of hours preparing the materials. I designed board games, cards, posters and
I also made chocolate sweets!
To be honest, I was feeling very nervous until I entered into the class, when I could
relax and enjoy!
Today, I strengthened my conviction: Preparing things previously and with dedication
makes the classes really enjoyable!
Section 3: Interpreting the lesson in words and images Include a photo of a
moment in the lesson, or a task students did, a picture from the board or any
other lesson component you would like to share, and describe it.

3. I decided to include this photo. I took these cards to the class, so that I could call
students by their names. During the observations, I asked the teacher for a list with
students’ names and I prepared the cards.
With a simple thing like this, students feel more comfortable because you know their
names.

4. Trainee´s name: Gisela Restivo
Practicum level: Primary
Group: 3rd grade
Class number: 2
Date: 4th August
Section 1:
What aspects of the lesson do you consider successful?
During the warm up, I showed students a photo of my family. I told them their
names and that they do not live in Comodoro Rivadavia. I think that it was a
positive way of starting the lesson. Students are curious about their teachers
‘personal lives! They notice that apart from being a teacher, you are an ordinary
person.
Section 2:
Choose a moment that was important for the students during the lesson. Describe
it and say why it was important.
Without doubts, the game was an important moment for students. Firstly, because
students enjoy playing board games, secondly because they enjoy working with their
classmates. However, for me it was a difficult activity because it was a very noisy
moment and it took me many minutes to organize them. Here, I leave you a photo of
the board games that I have prepared…

5. Section 3: Interpreting the lesson in words and images
Choose a quotation that represents an event, knowledge, insight in this lesson.
Surfing the net, I found this quotation, which belongs to the American educator and
television presenter Fred Rogers: “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are
learning.” I think that it clearly represents the insight of this lesson. Children were able to
review colours, rooms and furniture of the house by playing a board game.

6. Trainee´s name: Gisela Restivo
Practicum level: Primary
Group: 3rd grade
Classes number: 3 and 4
Date: 5th August
Section1: What aspects of the lesson do you consider successful?
Today, as the previous lessons, I think that the use of images and stories was a positive
aspect. Students are engaged and they are able to produce and understand language
without difficulties. In addition, I am convinced that games are also a good technique.
However it is a technique that must be carried out frequently, so that students get used
to it.
Section 2: Making sense of the lesson through relevant lived experiences. Choose
a moment that was important for you during the lesson. Describe it and say why it
was important.
Well, as in the first period of my practicum, the last moment of the class was really
important for me. I gave students a chocolate lolly pop that I have prepared and they
liked it. Then, after the class, I thanked the teacher and the headmaster for opening the
doors of their institution.
Section 3: Interpreting the lesson in words and images. Describe this lesson in
terms of a metaphor.
“Children are like wet
Ch
“Children are like wet cement,
whatever falls on them
makes an impression”
Haim Ginott

7. I still remember my days of primary school and also having some teachers who were
doing their practicum. I remember we enjoy those classes...Now, I was on the other side,
conscious of everything I said and the gestures I made...because everything leaves an
impression on our children!