Classroom Observation
My observation was done in Mrs. Merriott’s fourth grade class at Cole Camp Elementary on December 11, 2015 from 8:20 A.M to 10:30 A.M. I entered the room and took a seat at one of the empty u-shaped table at the back of the classroom. I noticed the organization of Mrs. Merriott’s fourth grade classroom was very neat and organized. Students ' backpacks, books, and jackets and other belongings which they did not need for the day were placed on the wall of the classroom in their designated hooks and cubbies. This organization allowed Mrs. Merriott easy access to walk around the classroom while teaching. There is an Accelerated Reading section in the back corner of the room where students can pick out an Accelerated Reading
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As a teacher, I believe there is the need to set the tone of the classroom and let them know that the teacher in is in control of the classroom. The atmosphere of the classroom needs to be accepting and eager to learn. The class that I observed had great classroom atmospheres and most of the students were engaged. All the students were attentive to the teacher, eager to learn, asking questions and no student in the class was omitted from the class discussion or the learning of that particular day. As a future educator, I believe my biggest challenge will be trying to become flexible with my schedule and changing lesson plans around and with organization. Also, another challenge will be trying to motivate each student to learn and be active in the class. I think this will depend on the grade level I will be teaching, whether that will be in a daycare or elementary level. I 'll address these challenges by becoming more organized and doing projects where participation is graded and required, so then that each student will be learning and not be left out. This observation was very motivating and helped me better appreciate the teaching profession. They well help me decide what grade level I would like to teach as I do more
It is about management, motivation, and instruction. Teachers need to know how to design their classroom so that the children are going to get the most efficient learning environment for them. For example, students who are visual learners or have attention problems, should sit near the front. Teachers must be experts in motivation. Students will be open to learning and want to learn if they are excited, happy, feel safe, and have confidence. Teachers must be instructional experts. Not all children learn the same way, teachers need to have the skill to give the same instruction in different ways so that all students
I believe that the most valuable lesson learned for me through my experience was that it is completely different when you have to come into school having the mindset of an educator rather than just a student; meaning that there is much more to focus on as a future educator rather than just being a student. For instance, as a student, you typically go in there and worry about just learning the lesson and completing the assignments for your own benefit. With the mindset of an educator, there are far more things going on in your head besides the lesson of the day. For example, you have to constantly wonder whether students are able to understand the lesson and whether your methods of teaching are effective. You also wonder how your class learns best since not all students learn the same. So, you have to have a variety in your teaching so that each student is able to feel comfortable at certain points of your assignments and teaching skills. One of the least valuable things I learned from my field experience was traditional note taking and lectures. I say this because it is something that I grew up knowing in my classrooms when I was a students. I believe that learning new ways to teach is extremely beneficial and I enjoy seeing more and more teachers incorporating this into their lesson
When I first walked into my classroom at Pine Meadow Elementary, I was greeted by a group of curious faces staring back at me, all seated in a circle on the floor. I volunteered in a first grade classroom with the main teacher, Mrs. Stainbrook, along with three other adults. We had Mrs. Nelson, a paraprofessional for some of the students; Mrs. Voigt, a student teacher; and the occasional parent that liked to volunteer. So the children in that classroom never had a shortage of help and attention. Most days the children would start off with a math lesson that was followed by a time for snack, and then the kids would head to gym and music. The first thing I noticed as I walked in the classroom was how the desks were grouped together like pods,
The arrangement of the classroom has a significant impact on students’ attitudes toward classroom behavior and learning. Students need the environment that is organized, neat and comfortable in order to learn and behave appropriately.
Throughout the semester, I was placed in two different schools. My first twenty hours of observation was in the Sturgis Williams Middle School with eighth grade english/reading teacher Beth Johnson. My second set of twenty hours were at Mountain View Elementary School in Spearfish with Kindergarten teacher Laurie Johnson. With my observation classes so far apart in age, I was able to observe the difference in classroom management, planning, and many other aspects of a classroom from both teachers.
One being, making lesson plans. Not just the fact that I need to make lesson plans but to make sure that they are creative and not robotic. Teachers need to put thought in their lesson plans so that they benefit the children in a fun way to learn. For example, in my target age group to teach are second or third graders. They best way for children in that age group to learn is if they are having fun or are at least interested in the subject. Now I know that not all the time fun is the best way to teach, but I feel that applies more to the older children. They will need lesson plans that benefit their knowledge better that involves less games as much. It just really varies on the way your lesson plan should be planned by your age
This was the first lesson I have taught at CMS and I think it went reasonably well for a first attempt and considering my nervousness. There are, of course, things I would do differently or things that I would have implemented if I had the luxury of a follow up lesson the next day. I felt relieved to have taught this first lesson and now know what to expect for my second lesson with regard to how willing the students are to respond and participate in the lesson and how to pace myself.
For my assignment I have decided to choose a group which I have just finished taking for level 1 Hairdressing and they have progressed on to level 2 Hairdressing. This is within my current role as a hairdressing lecturer at Hugh Baird College which I have done since October. Within this group there are a couple of people who have support workers. There is one student within the group who has severe learning difficulties and is a more mature student. She also has many health problems which results in her having to carry an oxygen tank around for when she has any problems with her breathing due to her having problems with her heart. There is also another student in the class who has learning difficulties, she is very clever but just needs someone there for when she needs something explaining. She also has a support worker that comes in to give her support. This student has also been going through personal problems at home and has attendance issues. There is another student within this group who has severe dyslexia. She doesn’t have a support worker but the support people who are in there do give her help as she can have a tendency to give up, not to listen and just needs to be kept on track so by sitting next to a person that does have a support worker she gets the help from them. These three students have all had their level 1 qualification extended for a year were the rest of the group have progressed on to level 2 Hairdressing. Two of these students may progress on to level 2 but one doesn’t have the ability to be able to do this as the requirements are too high for her. The reason the course was extended for them was because they were struggling with the work that was required for this qualification, but as the col...
In order to educate my students, they must first know that I respect and care for them and will do anything in my power to help them achieve. This is the career that I am choosing and I am determined to do my very best. Children these days need positive role models and someone that cares for them because school may be the only place they receive either. If they know that I am willing to help them and that I love them as people as well as my students, then they are probably going to be more apt to learn. Managing their behavior with an assertive discipline will be my objec...
Attentive listening would be one of my biggest practices young children pay attention to everything so they would be able to know if my response would be genuine or generic. Also the words of a teacher hold much power your response is the difference between a productive days or a day that the student just wants to be over. Being a teacher comes with an abundance of other inner jobs that are behind the scenes and you have to be prepared for anything because no days will be the same and I believe that is one of the best parts of the teaching profession. I want to be a part of helping to help shape and change the one thinks about the world and I truly consider this to be one of the rewards of being an amazing teacher due to the fact that a student will be different after they leave your class and everyone after that. The world is ever changing for that reason a teacher has to keep up with the world that is evolving around them. Students will merge the classroom and the outside world together it will be an educator job to show them how to do these things at the appropriate
The teacher is the head of the classroom, which mean that he/she is the example and should lead as such. Qualities like hard work, dedication and patience are all things that student can learn from their teacher. As a knowledgeable practicing professional, it is essential that he/she knows his/her content. If you do not fully understand something yourself, it could be difficult to relay it to someone else. Knowing your content also allows you to teach it in different ways to assist the needs of students learning styles. Classroom management is also a very important characteristic of an effective teacher. If you do not have good classroom management skills, knowing your content will mean nothing. This skill allows you to provide structure for your students and ensure that your time to display your content knowledge is used wisely. Having high expectation for your students is a must in the classroom. While educating, I want to help my students with personal growth. Having high expectations is the most important characteristic to me. I feel that it is most important because even if you know your content and manage your class well, if your students don’t feel like you believe in them, they will have no reason to want to work hard. Knowing that someone is cheering you on and
"The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as every child should be instilled with the wish to learn."
Education is an ever-changing part of society. A classroom teacher is faced with new challenges and obstacles that have never been dealt with before. Students come to the classroom with different life stories. Every student has strengths and weaknesses that surface in the classroom environment. Teachers must understand and focus on utilizing each student's strengths and work to improve weaknesses. Students learn in a variety of ways. The classroom must be a safe zone that appreciates student's viewpoints and allows room for mistakes. When topics in the classroom are related to "real-life" experiences, the information is more likely to be retained. Students learn from one another. The ideas and perspectives that each student brings to the classroom can bring insight into what is being learned. Students have to be allowed to explore new ideas, try them to see if they work, and sometimes fail. When students are encouraged to explore, they begin the process of becoming lifelong learners.
You need to have respect, kids won’t respect you if you don’t respect them. Create a feeling of belonging in the room so all the students feel welcome. Also set high expectations for the students because if they see that you believe in them they will believe in them as well. Love what you’re teaching, if you’re passionate they will listen. That’s one way I am suited for this career, I have passion. I want to be in the class. I want to teach. The traits I have to be a teacher is the drive and determination. To be a teacher you need to be State Certified, some require the PRAXIS. The skills you need include patience, creativity, compassion, Microsoft Office, classroom management, organization, and instructional skills. You need to major in Elementary School Teaching and the training you may need is student teaching, visit classrooms and write reports, and create lesson plans and practice them in front of peers. Occupations related to my career are teacher assistants, preschool teachers, librarians, and kindergarten
As a future educator, I have many goals. My first goal would be to never overpower my students. Being a teacher should not be a job, it should be a passion. I will focus my classroom around the student’s needs, rather than my own. The classroom will revolve around the students. I will be their guiding hand through education. Another goal of mine is to have the students interact in a positive way. Social interaction is very important. As students combine with peers they share knowledge and learn how to solve problems. In the real-world, this what will happen. Whenever I can, I li...