INSTITUT PENDIDIKAN GURU

KAMPUS KENT
WEEKLY REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL WEEK 4
(01.08.2016 05.08.2016)
NAME

: YOUNG POH PING

OPTION

: PISMP TESL (SJKC) JANUARY 2014 INTAKE

SCHOOL

: SJK(C) CHUNG HWA, TENGHILAN

DATE
1

: 01.08.2016 05.08.2016

Issues/ Problems/ Events

The pupils in my class are comprised of mixed abilities.
Thoughts And View Regarding The Issues/ Problems/ Events
I realised that the pupils in my class are different in their learning abilities since

the first week I entered their class.

As I have pointed out in my first reflective journal, this problem affects my

learning objectives to some extent. The weaker pupils could not achieve the
learning objectives that I have set while the more advanced pupils finished the
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task given earlier than expected.

Analysis Of Issue/ Problems/ Events
3.1 Causes
Different learning styles
Different learning speeds
Variations in motivation
3.2 Strengths/ Weaknesses
I suggested several ways to overcome the problems and it was proven to be

effective.
First, I use group work to maximise pupils participation. I make sure that each
group consists of pupils from different abilities so that they can help out each
other during group work. Of course, it is also important to note that the difference
between their ability should not be too large. The result of this method is most
obvious during the role play activity that I have carried out in my LGA lesson. I
carefully divided them into group and pupils were able to perform the role play
successfully. Pupils engaged in the activity and they were also very creative in

performing the role play.

Second, as suggested in my first reflective journal, I prepared two sets of
worksheet namely remedial and enrichment worksheet to cater the needs of my

pupils. The content of the two sets of worksheet are the same. The thing that
marked the difference between the two sets of worksheet is the level of
guidance. There is more guidance in remedial worksheet which means that
prompts are provided for remedial pupils to complete the task. For enrichment
pupils, the prompts are lesser and they need more solid language foundation to
answer the task.
3.3 Predicted Effects/ Outcomes (If No Actions Were Taken)
Objective of the lesson failed to achieve.
The more advanced pupils will find the lesson not challenging and cannot
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stimulate their thinking.

Suggestions To Overcome The Causes/ Weaknesses
Use pair work in order to involve all the pupils of the class. By pairing off weaker
and stronger students and involving both in the teaching and learning activity, I

am able to ensure maximum participation of all the pupils.

A second area of improvement that can be productive in mixed ability classes is
group work. Again, this can work successfully using mixed groups where the
stronger help the weaker, but another approach is to form groups that are at
approximately the same level and assign different tasks that are appropriate to
the level of each group. By adjusting the complexity of the task, I can ensure that
each group has a task that it can carry out successfully, thereby providing the
correct level of challenge for the higher level students and not demotivating the

weaker ones.
Give extra homework always to pupils of higher level of proficiency. However,
considering the level and the interests of the students, extra work should be of
something that the students would enjoy doing. For example, students would be
more enthusiastic to work in such projects if they can choose their topic such as
preparing a poster on their favourite cartoon show or designing their favourite

story book cover.

Timeframe To Overcome The Causes/ Weaknesses
Two months (Throughout the practicum period)
Teacher Trainee
Lecturer
Mentor
5

___________________
(YOUNG POH PING)

_______________________
(DOROTHEA MARUKAU @
NURATIQAH)

___________________
(VOO SHU LING)