Holly Gibson

Teaching/ Learning Context

Rules/Expectations
Mrs. Castillow has three rules that she lives by and follows in her class. The first is your
purpose and the second is choice. On her wall hang three signs. I am an incredible kindergartner!
And I must choose every day to be incredible! I choose to be kind! I choose to be smart! My
choices are important! They are displayed in the front of the classroom where the students face
during whole group instruction and morning routines. When children are not being incredible
kindergartners Mrs. Castillow addresses it right away using a warm demander method. Mrs.
Castillow reminds them of who they are and their purpose, which is to get ready for
kindergarten.
Procedures
The students know that when they come into class, they hang up their backpack and
coats. Take their responsibility folders and place them in their cubbies and go work on their
writing. Mrs. Castillow has a playlist of songs ranging from sight words or about a topic they are
learning about. When the songs are played the children are able to go to the bathroom but have to
be back and sitting on the rug in their spot before they get back. When the children are sitting on
the rug they are not supposed to talk until Mrs. Castillow prompts them. When children line up
to go to a special or to go home. Mrs. Castillow calls on the student when they are ready. They
line up in order. There is no line leader. Anytime after the students change centers. They put all
of their work into their responsibility folders.
Schedule
The day starts out by the students coming in and practicing their writing. After that a
transition song is played and the morning routine takes place. They count how many days they
have been in school, the calendar, days of the week, and say the pledge of allegiance and the
classroom philosophy. Right after the morning routine the class goes into whole group math
instruction and then math centers. On Mondays the class goes on to academic talks. Mondays are
fun days. The students head off to music and library. Come back for tote and tell or air writing.
After the short break the class heads to P.E. and then come back and participate in art. On
Wednesdays after math centers students head to the bathroom and then work on handwriting.
Recess takes place after that. It has been too cold to go outside and so the students have stayed in
side and they do Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube. After recess it is time for literacy centers. If an
art activity did not get finished on Monday it will be placed as one of the centers. After literacy
centers it is time for tote and tell, then time to go home.
Classroom Management
The classroom management style is of warm demanding. The children love and respect
Mrs. Castillow and listen to her. If the students are talking while Mrs. Castillow is talking. She
will stop and tell the students that they need to close their mouth and look with their eyes. She
does it in a warm way. Not in a mean way. She will also tell the students that we are here to get
ready for first grade and we need to choose to be incredible kindergartners. If the behavior
continues to happen, she will stop the class and have the children walk to the door and walk back
into the classroom and be incredible kindergartners.
Climate
The classroom environment is very warm and welcoming. Mrs. Castillow has created a
classroom environment of respect. There are decorations around the classroom that are colorful.
She has pictures of each student and their name from when she went and did home visits before
the start of the school year. She has the groups of the math and literacy centers. The home visits
before the start of school created a trusting relationship with Mrs. Castillow and the students.
Students
Addie- Is very bright. She finishes first on all of the class assignments. She also helps
other students understand the concepts.
Alvin- Quiet, but very bright. He is one of the students who finishes
Davi- English language learner, he is always smiling during class and work.
Emmy- Always come to school wearing bright sequins and bows.
Esther- Goes to the bathroom frequently during class. She struggles in math.
Halle- Very talkative, a social butterfly. Loves to share what she has done during the day
or will do over the weekend.
Henry- Has missed school frequently and is more on the quieter side. He participates in
class and will help out his classmates if they need help.
Jeshua- Always is willing to share his ideas through class. Has difficulty focusing on
tasks.
Libby- She has difficulty in the math subject but is eager to learn.
Lucy S.- Always come to school wearing a bow.
Lucy W.- Very quiet, always wants to please the teachers.
Maria- She has a fun personality. She is quiet but often is the student who gets caught
talking during large group instruction.
Olivia- One of the quieter students in the class but she is very creative and bright. She
follows the
Torrin- He is a fun student and independent. He looks like a miniature dad. He is one of
the more advance students in the class. He is also on the quieter side.
Ty- Gets distracted during school, he needs to be reminded to stay focused on a task.
 Vivienne- An English language learner,
Zander- Gets distracted very easily but understands what is being taught.
Zlata- English language learner. She is difficult to understand but
School
Lincoln elementary school is located in the Madison school district in Rexburg, Idaho.
Lincoln elementary school has the grades kindergarten through fourth. There are currently three-
hundred eighty students enrolled. Their mission statement is posted through out the school which
is, “Lincoln Elementary assists families in helping children grow intellectually, socially,
emotionally, and physically”. Lincoln is made up of very diverse students. Language spoken
include, English, Russian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Ndonga, French, and Spanish. Parent
involvement is encouraged and there are many parents who come and volunteer in the
classrooms.