Today, I observed Briana teaching Alyssa, her Year 5 student. They began with a focus on spelling and comprehension, essential areas for improving vocabulary and reading fluency. Briana started by encouraging Alyssa to read aloud, a practice that helps develop her confidence and familiarity with new words. The atmosphere Briana created was supportive and relaxed, ensuring that Alyssa felt at ease. By doing this, Briana effectively built a foundation where Alyssa was comfortable making mistakes and learning from them, a key aspect of developing strong literacy skills.
As Alyssa read, Briana asked questions about the text to assess her comprehension, and encouraged discussions about the meanings of new or challenging words. This strategy kept Alyssa engaged and provided her with opportunities to use newly learned vocabulary. This highlighted how Briana’s methods balanced patience with active engagement.
After reading, spelling, and vocabulary, they shifted to a creative activity: designing their own advertisement. This segment allowed Alyssa to apply her language skills in an inventive and practical way. They began with planning the main points and themes for the advertisement. Briana enthusiastically encouraged Alyssa through this process, making the activity feel like a fun challenge rather than a task. Throughout the planning stage, Briana incorporated spelling practice seamlessly. She encouraged Alyssa to think of appropriate words that fit the advertisement’s theme and tested her spelling of these words.
By integrating spelling practice into the advertisement design task, Briana provided Alyssa with meaningful contexts to apply her knowledge. Overall, Briana’s teaching was well rounded and effective, as she easily adapted to Alyssa’s learning needs, keeping the session both productive and enjoyable. The way she interacted and communicated with Alyssa was nurturing and supportive, demonstrating skilful teaching practices that promote learning in a fun and encouraging environment. It was insightful to observe Briana’s teaching style, and the ease at which she interacts with her students.
Pamela Casiou
