Field Experience 3/30/2012

1. How is the classroom arranged and decorated
1. The classroom has big tables that has name tags for assigned seating. There are two more desks for the teachers and an open space for other activities. There are cubbies for the students stuff. The walls of the classroom are covered in many colors and posters along with decorations that the students have already made.
2. How does the classroom differ from the gymnasium as an educational setting?
1. These students are working on their numbers and counting still. So the teacher went over the amount of days of school that the kids have attended. The class reiterates the numbers over and over and over. This does not happen as much from the physical education standpoint. We do reiterate some skills from a physical standpoint but not as much from the mental side.
3. How would you describe the classroom atmosphere?
1. The classroom atmosphere gives off a positive feeling. There are a ton of pictures and bright colors. They even have some projects that they did themselves up on the wall.
4. What was the topic and structure of the portion of the lesson you observed?
1. The lesson we listened in to was mostly about counting. It was almost the last day of March and the teacher talked about the change in months. They also went over how to count by tens to one hundred. They also counted the amount of days that they have been in school in total.
5. How would you describe the language and literacy levels of the students?
1. The kids are in a Pre K class. They are at a developing level where they are just learning the basics to everything. The tenses of verbs are off occasionally along with the pronunciation of some of the numbers while counting.
6. How did the teacher engage the students in the lesson segment that you observed?
1. The teacher had the kids sit in a circle while she sat in a chair. She talked at a good level making sure that most of the kids were trying their best to pay attention.
7. How would you describe the social behaviors of students in this age group?
1. Most of the students were not used to having other people in the classroom and were distracted because of it. Many of them were just saying things out loud without raising their hand. When they were sent to their seats for the birthday cupcakes they all started to get a little out of control when we started talking about their penguin poster.
8. What did you learn from this observation that will help you teach this age group more effectively?
1. Having student teachers or observers leads to the kids becoming more rambunctious. Prepare the kids for having guests but also staying in control of themselves.
9. What other insights did you gain from this observation?

1. I got to see what the atmosphere of the classroom and how and elementary school teacher approaches their kids.