Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Packet
Save this completed packet for your Education Capstone Course, (EDU 299) and pay
particular attention to items marked with an (* asterisk) as these will be especially helpful in
completing your Classroom Management, Diversity, and Differentiated Instruction presentation
in EDU 299. Your CSN instructor will let you know whether you will be handwriting directly in
this packet, in a separate reflective log, or word processing responses to the following
requirements and assignments.
Introduce yourself. Since this is your first visit, ask the teacher where he/she would like you to sit
while you complete your observation hours for this CSN Introduction to Education class. Show the
teacher this Field Observation Activities Packet, your Field Observation Time Log and
Cooperating Teachers Field Observation Student Evaluation pages. Let the teacher know
that you will be asking him/her to verify your hours of attendance each time you visit, and grading
you after the observation hours are complete.
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*Observation 2: Please describe the student make-up of the class, including gender, ethnicity,
ELL, students with physical challenges, and any other apparent attributes that are important to
note.
During my field observation, I sat-in on a total of three different periods in four days. On
average there were 22 to 25 students and there was a slightly larger percentage of girls than boys. The
diversity of the classes were on average 60% Caucasian, 30% Hispanic, 5% African American, and 5%
Asian. A particular student I noticed that is worth noting was an 11th grader who was unable to read.
This stuck out for me, because I was expecting that all the students, especially 11th graders could read.
This opened my eyes to the delayed learning of some students that I could face in the future.
*Observation 3: What are the posted class rules in the room? (exactly as written)
The classroom I observed did not have any posted class rules.
*Observation 4: Does the teacher enforce the rules? Are rewards or consequences being
used for compliance or noncompliance?
While there were no posted rules, the teacher did have rules and the
students were aware of them. For example, students were allowed to use their
electronic devises (tablets and cellphones) to participate in a teacher lead game
where they logged into a website and answered questions for points. The teacher
did explain that the use of the devises were limited to the classroom game and the
students were not to be using them for anything else (texting or messaging). None
of the students abused this privilege.
ASSIGNMENT TWO (Classroom Layout): Use graph paper or drawing software to create an
accurate overhead view, labeled drawing, of your assigned classroom before answering the
questions below.
Classroom Layout Question 1: Describe the workflow of the room. Is the space used
efficiently?
The classroom space was always configured into 5 group of desks put together to form one large
work area for 5 to 8 students a piece. This configuration of the classroom allowed for good efficiency.
For example, the teacher was able to quickly access all of the students from the center of the room
instead of walking around it.
Classroom Layout Question 2: In your opinion, how can the physical arrangement of the
room be improved?
In my opinion, the one issue with the physical arrangement is that some students are not facing
the white-board, but they did not seem to mind turning around to look.
CSN Education Department, Las Vegas, Nevada 2013
*Instruction Question 4: Does the teacher incorporate the sensory modalities (learning
styles)? If so, give examples.
Yes, visual aids such as Power Point and Prezi were incorporated into the lessons.
*Instruction Question 5: Do the students seem engaged in the lesson(s) that are being
presented? Please explain.
Yes, for the most part the students were engaged, due to the cooperating teachers ability to relate
the material to them personally.
CSN Education Department, Las Vegas, Nevada 2013
*Instruction Question 6: Are there any students isolated from the rest of the class for any
reason? Why?
No, the classroom was divided into five groups. These groups were diverse and equal in the
amount of students.
Instruction Question 7: Is instructional time managed efficiently? Please explain
Yes, the cooperating teacher was quick when preforming his necessary daily routines (roll-call,
etc.) Instruction was given from bell to bell.
Instruction Question 8: How does the cooperating teacher handle transitions from one
subject or period to another, and are these transitions effective?
The cooperation teacher taught the same subject throughout his day, but each class was at a
different point in the lesson. The teacher was aware of the difference and prepared accordingly.
*Instruction Question 9: List ways that the teacher attempts any attention getting
commands? (Ex: Countdown, Light flicker, Heads on Desk) How effective are they?
The cooperating teacher began every class with a game that was played on the students personal
electronic devises. The game was effective at getting the students attention, because they were allowed
to use their devises in class.
*Instruction Question 10: What specific behavior issues does the teacher have to deal with?
How does the teacher deal with these behavior issues? Be specific.
The only behavior issue I observed was the use of foul language, which the cooperating teacher
would promptly correct.
*Instruction Question 11: Are there any policies or procedures in place that help or hinder
instructional time? If so, explain them and how they help or hinder use of instructional time.
One policy I noticed was, the teachers were required to stand in the hallway in between classes.
During the beginning of one period the cooperating teacher was dealing with an unruly student in the
doorway, after the bell. The student was from another class and had nothing to do with the teachers
class. If the policy was not in place the class would have started on time, but if the teacher was not in
the hallway at the time, the unruly student would not have been dealt with.
CSN Education Department, Las Vegas, Nevada 2013
ASSIGNMENT FOUR (Culture): Using the information provided below, carefully observe and
evaluate the culture of the school where you are assigned to observe. Remember you are
evaluating the school for its educational culture, place of learning, sense of safety, invitation for
learning, promotion of self-actualization, development of values and socialization.
Physical Characteristics: Look at the physical areas of the school to determine atmosphere,
comfort, and feelings the school creates for students in the educational setting.
1. Consider the school property: building, grounds, fencing, equipment, landscaping, trees,
parking lot, crosswalks, gates, signs and symbols.
The schools property was a one story building that included a gymnasium, athletic fields, and
portables. The school grounds were kept up well. There were many places to choose from to park
and many street signs to promote an overall safety of the area.
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*1. Look for teacher(s) expectations for learning and success, interactions with students, and
his/her personality.
The cooperating teacher was constantly checking student progress to make sure they were
meeting the standard. One of the most effective lectors he communicated was to not believe everything
they hear or read by using critical thinking. The teacher even challenged the students to question what
he was saying.
*2. Evaluate the level of student participation in the class. Who participates? Who does not?
Since the cooperating teacher allowed for open discussions on all topics, the student participation
level was high. The discussions would usually evolve into a personal context that engaged all in the
classroom.
*3. Evaluate the interactions between teachers and students, rapport, cohesiveness,
distribution of power, tone, frequency and reinforcements.
My cooperating teach was popular with his students. He also was a good teacher, his students
cooperated in class and it seemed that they were generally okay with being in his class. Everyone had a
voice in the class, the teacher was far from a dictator.
CSN Education Department, Las Vegas, Nevada 2013
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*Interview Question 12: What procedures or strategies do you use to maximize instructional
time?
*Interview Question 13: What positive reinforcement programs have you had success with?
Answer: Extra credit, informative packet, and doughnut parties
*Interview Question 14: What behavioral consequences seem most effective with this age
group?
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A) Ask permission from your cooperating teacher to accompany the students and
observe one or more of the specialist classes (Art, Music, Library, Humanities, PE) they
attend, or a different middle/high school subject the same students attend within your
cooperating teachers grade level team.
The cooperating teacher was unable to arrange an observation of a specialized class for me.
1. Do the students participate or behave differently in these classes in comparison to
their regular academic/cooperating teachers class?
2. Does any student seem to have a particular talent? Describe.
3. What is the curriculum like in comparison to the regular education(cooperating
teachers) class?
4. Describe the specialist teachers instructional style.
5. What different strategies do you notice this teacher using that are successful?
6. What are the challenges the specialist teacher has to deal with?
7. How are student needs being met?
B) Ask your cooperating teacher if you may observe part of the time in the GATE (Gifted
and Talented classroom, or another classroom that is considered Advanced Placement)
Remember some schools do not have these programs, so this assignment for some will be optional. Specialist classroom
visits are strongly encouraged IF THEY CAN BE ARRANGED.
1. Do you notice any social and academic differences between the kids in this class
and in the regular education classes?
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your professionalism at all times. Do not write a students name down when you are writing observation notes.
Maintain the students right to privacy by referring to a student as Student #1, Student #2 etc.
The cooperating teacher was unable to arrange an observation of a special education class for
me.
1. Do you notice any social and academic differences between the kids in this class and
in the regular education classes?
2. What is the curriculum like in comparison to the regular education class?
CSN Education Department, Las Vegas, Nevada 2013
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During my field observation I was fortunate enough to witness a new student transferring form
out of state join the class. The student had recently moved to the Las Vegas Valley from Utah where he
had been home schooled. Having transferred from one school to another myself, this student was
appealing to me and he was the perfect candidate to observe in my mind.
CSN Education Department, Las Vegas, Nevada 2013
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My field observation was a valuable experience. There is no substitution for the real thing.
While observing a real classroom I was able to see first-hand how teachers and students interact with
one another. In most careers one does not get the opportunity to observe the field in advance to see if
its what they really want to do in life.
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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Before final grading for EDU 201, EDU 202, EDU 203 courses can occur, the CSN student
must submit their completed Field Observation Activities Packet to their CSN Instructor for
grading, AND turn in their validated Field Observation Time Log and Field Observation
Student Evaluation sheets. The CCSD cooperating teacher must also email the students
CSN Education Department, Las Vegas, Nevada 2013
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