Grammar micro teaching - Joao

On August 30th we had the opportunity to present our microteaching in grammar. As usual, it was full of ideas and a good deal of sharing. I could learn some very good ways of presenting a grammar lesson, which not necessarily needs to be boring and teacher centered.
I decided to teach adjectives ending in -ed and -ing. I wanted to teach it, because I believe it will help my students in class. They are not so difficult to understand, but a bit tricky to explain.
Something I try to incorporate in class is visual aid. I believe, nowadays, people are more stimulated through this sense. Therefore it draws people attention better. I started showing pictures in which they were telling me feelings that they had in order to have an adjective related to it and what action. I tried to engage them in a small conversation, but I am aware I did not give them enough time to produce their understanding. Nevertheless, I will develop it for next class with my students and allow them have their own discussions as well model it in a better way.
As our last presentation I felt we had a pretty good week with lots of learning and sharing throughout. Indeed, it made me reflect a lot about my classes in Brazil and how I can improve them in order to engage better the students and have them mastering the language in a meningful way.
Personally, I strongly believe, I am going to reflect about my goals as teacher in my country, find ways of helping students reach those goals and keep in touch with most teachers I can in order to share our knowledge and practices.
This is exactly what took place on that day and defintely will keep me thinking about the classes I had to opportunity to watch that day as I saw many good ideas being presented.
My final reflection about this day is that keeping simple is the best way to achieve the necessary goals and for having a meaningful class for students and for myself.

joao - presentation 30th July

I could not write my first blog from the week without mentioning our presentation. It was indeed a very good one. I could watch many good ones and learn many ways of how to deliver a lesson. Learning from other teachers and different nationalities is also something that I felt it was really amazing. There were a genuine feeling of learning and sharing.
Although we are teachers for long time, something I felt very intriguing is that whenever we need to present to our peers we do feel nervous. it does not matter how much you know, we still feel anxious.
Personally I was confident about my presentation. But , I was also nervous. I believe I was able to present it and get the teachers interest as many of them came after asking about sharing it more and intending to use with their own students. I strongly believe that a connection with people is what we human beings need. Therefore, a diary written by the students and reflected with the teacher would help create this. As educators, we have contact and know about the students needs. In order to build up  rapport this is something that would develop their confidence and connection not only with school but also society. I feel somehow scared of what I have seen. Students as early as 9 neglected and unaware of any love or respect let alone connection.
In Summary, I felt very happy to be part of that presentation and lucky for  I had opportunity to learn as well as share. My proposal for a diary in english was well received by my peers and I expect to receive from some of them feedbacks about it. I truly believe in connection and sharing. This is what I believe and probably what drove me to be here at UARK