For one of my CAS experiences, I along with my friend, got the opportunity to teach origami to the 4th graders of our school. We decided to teach them how to make a ninja star, a crab, and a crane using only paper. To make it easier for them, we created a short video tutorial and a presentation, and we were also available beside them to help them in case they got stuck. It was a really fun and engaging activity, and I feel like I learned a lot from this experience.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for personal growth

While teaching origami, I realized that I am pretty good at explaining things in a simple and clear manner. I always thought I wasn’t very patient, but during this activity, I found myself being really patient with the kids, especially when some of them were struggling with the folds. It also made me understand that I need to work more on my leadership skills because sometimes I would hesitate to take charge or speak up loudly in front of the whole class. This experience helped me discover both my strengths and areas for improvement.

LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills

Teaching something is definitely harder than it looks. While we knew how to make the ninja star, crab, and crane ourselves, explaining it step-by-step to a group of small kids was a completely different challenge. Some kids understood quickly, while others needed constant help. I learned how to be more patient, clear, and attentive during the process. However, by the end, I felt like I had definitely developed better communication and guidance skills.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

This experience would not have been successful without teamwork. My friend and I divide the tasks – one of us was helping students while the other was demonstrating the steps. We worked really well as a team, which helped us keep the session organized and fun. I realized how working together reduces pressure and makes things more efficient. Also, it was fun to work with my friend on something creative. It made me understand the importance of teamwork in practical situations.

LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

While teaching, we also realized how important it was to be responsible and respectful towards the students. They were younger than us, so we had to be mindful of our behavior, making sure they felt comfortable and motivated. Sometimes, a few kids would make mistakes or get frustrated, but we made sure to encourage them instead of correcting them harshly. It made me understand that when you are in a position of teaching someone, you need to act ethically and responsibly to create a positive learning environment.

Reflection

This CAS experience was definitely one of the most enjoyable ones. I never thought teaching origami could be this challenging yet fulfilling. It was really nice to see the 4th graders getting excited when they successfully made their ninja star, crab, or crane. I also realized that teaching requires a lot of patience, clear communication, and responsibility, which I developed during this session. Additionally, working in a team helped us execute everything smoothly. I feel like I also became more confident in explaining things to a group of people, which is a skill that will definitely help me in the future. Overall, this experience taught me new things about myself and how to be a better communicator, team player, and mentor.