Education 110

Classroom Observation Guidelines

● You will need to complete a total of 10 hours of classroom observations in the assigned Head Start
location.
● There are three logs to complete. You must visit your site at least 3 times. If you go more than that,
choose three visits to complete the assignments.
● Take clearances with you on all visits.
● Take and complete the Field Placement Attendance Form (online in the handbook and attached in the
module) for each visit.
● When visiting a school, it is important to “go with the flow.” You are a guest observer and do not want
to intrude. Some important things to remember:
○ Sometimes the unexpected can occur…fire drills, early dismissals, a substitute on the day you
are scheduled. Be prepared.
○ Non-instructional activities (lunch, recess, daily routines) can still be part of your observational
time.
○ Your primary task is to sit quietly and observe. Do not interrupt or join activities unless the
teacher has invited you. NEVER be with a child without another adult present! Use common
sense.

Professionalism:
Dress appropriately. You are required to wear the HACC Education shirt (can be purchased in our
bookstore) and either black or khaki pants. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum and hair should be neat and
tidy.
Confidentiality is vital. It is NOT acceptable to talk about what you have seen/heard in classrooms
outside of that classroom…with the exception of our college classroom. You may discuss situations you have
observed in our classroom if they are appropriate and as long as you do not specifically identify the teacher,
school, and students you are discussing. Violations of confidentiality will be taken seriously.
Be responsible and respectful. If you can’t make it to a scheduled observation due to illness or other
emergency, please let the teacher know. Be on time and have the materials you need.

Other Logistics:
● These documents are in word format, so you can download, and type in your responses. I will
NOT accept handwritten logs, with the exception of the classroom sketch.
● Turn in all log info/reflections at the same time.
● There are three logs to complete. You must visit your site at least 3 different times. If you go more than
that, choose three visits to complete these assignments.
● Be thorough…your details will help when writing your reflection.

Attached Log Information=200 points total

EDUCATION 110 OBSERVATION LOG #1

Your Name: Chasity Johnson Observation Site: Northwest Elementary Grade/Age Level: Head Start

The Educational Setting (20 pts)

Describe the physical setting of the classroom.

Before entering the classroom, cubbies were located along the wall like lockers. As you enter the room sleeping cots
were along the wall as well as the library right in front of you. Surrounding the library were other learning areas
such as the dramatic play, art, writing and science centers. By the art center was the sink and water tables. Farthest
from the door was a white board and the circle area where group gatherings are held. On the walls the teacher had
student art hanging along with other fun and educational posters.

Give your opinion about the setting. Like it/Dislike it? Why? What would you change?

I liked the student artwork that was displayed around the classroom, it made the room feel inviting. Also, I liked
how the teacher had the classroom set up with the space she was provided. However, I thought the classroom was
quite small and crammed. I thought it would be a better idea if the classroom was designed with the white board in
the front next to where you enter rather in the back of the classroom because children could easily get distracted by
centers when reentering the room.

Include a sketch of the classroom. (On the Back)

How has the teacher created a “caring community”? (Comment on the teacher/student relationship, social-emotional
supports--ch. 6)

The head start teacher created a “caring community” by encouraging her students, especially when they may have
gotten discouraged, as well as complementing them when they performed well. She also allowed students to
communicate their feelings to one another in a pleasant way. The teacher was always there to help students
whenever they needed it.

Rules and Routines (20 pts)

List the classroom/school rules. Reflect on these rules. (i.e. Are the rules posted? Who do
you think wrote the rules? Good/bad?)
1. Sit crisscross.
2. Keep hands in your lap. The rules were posted on the wall by the white board where
3. Bubbles in mouth. the class would gather for circle time. I thought the rules
4. Eyes looking at the teacher. were good especially since the teacher had a whole song that
5. Listening ears on. the class sang to remember them. It seemed that the rules
6. Raise quiet hand. may have been something that the teacher came up with
especially since there was a song that went along with it.
Although the rules are good, I think they would be even
better if the class participated in coming up with them.
 List any classroom/school routines you observe. Ones you liked/disliked? Why?

Daily Routines: One routine that I did like is that they brushed their teeth
1. Arrival every morning after eating breakfast. I think that’s a valuable
2. Breakfast thing to have children get into the routine of doing; I believe
3. Brush Teeth it helps to promote good hygiene. Another routine I enjoyed
4. Circle Time was gross motor, on the days I went to observe it was too
5. Centers (small group) cold for the children to be outside to play. Instead, the
6. Gross Motor teacher would play music and let the children dance. I
7. Lunch thought it was a fun way for the kids to still be active even
8. Read Aloud though they were not able to go outside.
9. Nap
10. Snack
11. Go Home

Classroom Management (20 pts)

3 Strategies that I saw the teacher use are: Effective? Why/why not?

1. Used a song while walking in the
halls.
2. Students would each count off
their number when in line.
3. Students would have name tags
they would have to sit on in circle
time.
Y or N 1. Yes, I do believe this was effective. The teacher
would sing a song that would say, “Hands are by
our sides, bubbles in our mouths, our eyes are on
Y or N the teacher when were walking down the hall.”
This would get the children’s attention while also
communicating to them how they should act.
Y or N They all did a good job of listening once the song
had been sung.
2. Yes, this strategy was effective. The teacher
would have everyone line up to go to their
destination and then start with the first person in
line and have them count their place. This would
help the teacher with making sure she had
everyone as well as keeping the students focused
and on task.
3. Yes, this strategy was effective. The teacher had
each students name taped evenly apart on the
carpet in the circle time area. Students would
have to sit on their name during circle time. This
made sure students weren’t sitting on top of each
other or moving about while the teacher was
teaching. It also helped so that children didn’t
fight over who got to sit where.
Reflection (10 pts) Using a classroom discussion or a reading from the text, think about something you observed and
relate it to your learning. How are they connected? Type a one paragraph response.

One thing that we discussed in class various times is English language learners. While attending my
observations I noticed that there were a few students in the class that were English language learners, they
spoke Spanish and were learning English. We learned in class that sometimes you must adjust your lessons and
activities to make sure it is appropriate for ELL students. I was able to witness this first hand. When reading
books or communicating to the class the teacher would be sure to repeat as much as she could in Spanish. This
way ELL students could also understand what was being said as well as correlate English and Spanish words.
The teacher had told me that the one ELL student knew no English in the beginning of the school year but knew
so much while I was attending my observations. It was amazing to see such progress.

EDUCATION 110 OBSERVATION LOG #2

Transitions in the Classroom (60 pts) Find and record 6 transitions used in PreK-4th grade settings. Be as
specific as possible. (Do not say, “sang a song.” Instead, say, “They sang Lunchtime is Time to Eat as they got
ready and lined up for lunch.”)
A. 3 transitions must be from your observation placement.
B. 3 transitions must be from your textbook or an outside source (give credit where it is due, please.)
C. For each transition, include the following:
a. Where did you see/find it (source)?
b. Is it an effective technique? Why/why not? Discuss developmental appropriateness.
c. What learning is promoted while using this transition?
d. A reflection on the transition: Would you use it? Why/why not? Comment on child development
theory in your reflection.

TRANSITION SOURCE (a) EXPLAIN EXPLAIN REFLECTION (d)

EFFECTIVENESS (b) LEARNING (c)

Ex: Sang “Clean Up, Ex: Saw this on Ex: When a bell rang, all
Clean Up” as center time my 1st day at children began singing &
was ending, and story Head Start-York cleaning up. It took less than
time was going to begin. location 3 mins to get everything back
in place. All were engaged
and busy with their own jobs.
No issues! Songs are
appropriate to use with
preschoolers.
Ex: Organization, Ex: For preschoolers and
responsibility, timing, Kdgn, I would probably
respect for each other and use it. It’s a catchy,
property, memorization of easy song and can be
a song. These are skills repeated until all
found in the PA early children are where they
learning standards need to be. Physical and
(Approaches to Learning Language development
and Language and are enhanced with this
Literacy) transition.
Teacher would ring a bell
when center time was
ending, alerting the
children to clean up and
return to the circle time
area.
To transition from circle
time to centers the teacher
would choose a child to
hand out name tags to
each student. Once the
child called out a
student’s name, the
student would get their
name tag and say which
center they would like to
go to. They would then go
to that center if it wasn’t
full.
Transitioning from gross
motor to lunch the teacher
would have the children
sing a song about rules of
walking in the hall while
they lined up and traveled
to the lunch room.
Excuse students according
to physical or clothing
characteristics. For
I saw this For some students the
performed all four transition was effective. They
days that I would hear the bell ring and
observed Head immediately begin to clean
start at Northwest up only taking a couple
Elementary in minutes. However, for some
Lebanon, PA. they either did not hear the
bell ring or just ignored it,
continuing to play. It would
take longer for these children
to clean up and the teacher
would have to come and tell
them to do so. Using sounds
is an appropriate way to get
the attention of preschoolers.
I saw this A chosen student would read
performed all four out other student’s names and
days that I have them collect their name
observed Head tag and name what center
start at Northwest they would like to go to. The
Elementary in process would take about five
Lebanon, PA. minutes. This allowed for an
issue free way of
transitioning to centers.
Otherwise, students would
run to a station before it was
full and maybe even get hurt
in the process. Having
students learn their peers’
names is an appropriate
action in a preschool
classroom.
I saw this As the students transitioned
performed all four from gross motor to lunch,
days that I they would line up and walk
observed Head down the hall while singing a
start at Northwest song that listed the rules of
Elementary in walking in the hallway. The
Lebanon, PA. song would say, “Hands are
by our sides, bubbles in our
mouths, our eyes are on the
teacher when we’re walking
down the hall.” This was
quite effective because it got
the children’s attention and
had them on task while also
teaching them rules of the
halls. Songs are appropriate
to use with preschoolers.
Warner, Penny. This would only take a few
“Terrific moments as the teacher reads
Transitions for the off different characteristics. It
Students would learn
listening and timing skills.
They would learn to
remember to listen for the
ring so that they know
when to clean up. Also,
they would learn how
long it usually needs to
take them to clean up and
return to their circle.
Students will learn
leadership as they take the
role of the student that
hands out the name tags.
They will also learn
patience as they wait for
their name to be called.
As well as literacy when
reading and learning other
student’s names.
Students will learn
memorization as they
continue to sing the same
song each day. Also, they
will learn behavioral skills
from the lyrics of the
songs and organizational
skills.
Students will learn
listening skills as they
wait to hear a
I would probably not use
this as a transition.
When children are
playing it can get a bit
loud and everyone may
not be able to hear the
bell as it is being rung. I
believe that if it were
effective cognitive
development would be
enhanced.
I would use this
transition, I thought it
was a fun idea to get
students involved and to
take the lead. Language
as well as social
development would be
enhanced in this
transition.
I would use this in my
classroom. It allows the
children to have fun
while singing and also
learn rules in the
process. Speech and
language development
would be enhanced in
this transition.
I would make use of this
transition in my own
classroom. It gets the
example, “Everyone who
is wearing a blue shirt can
go line up by the door.”
Preschool allows for the teacher to characteristic called. They students attention and
Classroom.” Early excuse all students without will also learn patience as also helps to reduce
Childhood News, having them all leave at once, they wait to be excused. chaos when switching to
http://www.earlyc which could cause chaos. All something new.
hildhoodnews.co students would also be Cognitive development
m/earlychildhood/ engaged and listening for a would be enhanced
article_view.aspx? characteristic that pertains to during this transition.
ArticleID=300. them. Using physical and
Accessed 23 April clothing characteristics is
2019. appropriate with
preschoolers.

Excuse students by having
them answer a question or
creating a rhyme. An
example would be, “Who
can name a word that
rhymes with cat?”
Students who can raise
their hand and answer
correctly are excused and
can transition to the next
activity.
Warner, Penny. This would only take about
“Terrific five minutes as the teacher
Transitions for the asks simple questions to the
Preschool class. It allows for the teacher
Classroom.” Early to excuse all students without
Childhood News, having them all leave at once,
http://www.earlyc which could cause chaos. All
hildhoodnews.co students would also be
m/earlychildhood/ engaged and ready to answer
article_view.aspx? a question so that they may
ArticleID=300. be excused. Using questions
Accessed 23 April is appropriate with
2019. preschoolers through 4th
grade as long as the actual
question fits the learning of
the grade.
Students will be learning
literacy skills as the
teacher asks questions
about rhyming as well as
math depending on the
question being asked.
They will also learn how
to be engaged and
participate so that they
may be excused.
I would definitely use
this in my classroom. It
allows for a smooth
transition and continues
to engage students.
Cognitive as well as
language development
would be enhanced
during this transition.

Flash the lights to grab the
student’s attention that it
is now time to transition
from a free selection to an
organized activity. For
example, the teacher
would flash the lights to
cue the students to start to
clean up from centers and
transition to center time.
Warner, Penny. Unlike the ringing of the bell Students would learn how I would use this
“Terrific which some children may not to pay attention to their transition; it
Transitions for the hear from all the noise that surroundings as well as immediately gets the
Preschool may surround them, flashing respecting the teachers attention of each student
Classroom.” Early of the lights is something that wishes of cleaning up. so that they can begin to
Childhood News, would grab the attention of clean up. Cognitive,
http://www.earlyc all students. Once the lights fine, and gross motor
hildhoodnews.co have flashed, everyone will development would be
m/earlychildhood/ know that it is time to clean enhanced during this
article_view.aspx? up and transition to the next transition.
ArticleID=300. activity. Flashing the light is
Accessed 23 April an appropriate transition
2019. method for preschoolers.

Reflections (10 pts)

A. Type one paragraph describing in detail a highlight of your observation time. This might include a
successful or interesting strategy, a humorous story, a particular student’s discovery (confidentiality!),
something that relates to a discussion we had in class, something that relates to a chapter you read, something
you want to know more about, etc.

A highlight during my observation time was on my first day. When I first arrived at the classroom the teacher
was reading, “Green Eggs and Ham,” by Dr. Seuss. It was Dr. Seuss’ birthday week so each day the teacher
would read one of his books and follow it with an activity. The activity on the day I observed was a craft of
creating your own green eggs and ham using glue and cut out pieces of paper. The teacher allowed me to work
one on one with students to help them with their craft. I found it extremely fun and rewarding to be able to
communicate with and help the students. I was able to see that even though each student was provided the same
materials for the craft, all their creations turned out differently. It showed that each student is unique, and all
have their own creative ideas.

B. Type one paragraph describing in detail one challenge. This might be about a student that concerns you, a
behavioral/class management situation, something the teacher said or did that was unusual/sad/frustrating, or
something you’d do completely differently.

One challenge I faced while observing my head start classroom was trying to agree with everything the teacher
was doing. Truthfully, I did not always agree. One instance in particular was during the class’ gross motor
routine. The class had just transitioned from centers to gross motor and were beginning to dance to music as a
group. One student appeared highly upset with a frown on his face and just stood there not participating in the
dance. The teacher looked at the student and told him he needed to participate. The child continued to just stand
there, the teacher then made him go sit away from the group and left him there. I believe that the teacher did not
handle the situation appropriately. She should have privately asked if he was okay and if something had
happened for him to feel this way. Instead, this child was ridiculed in front of his peers and his feelings were
never addressed. I don’t think this helps to create a caring community.
EDUCATION 110 OBSERVATION LOG #3

Your Name: Chasity Johnson Observation Site: Northwest Elementary Grade/Age Level: Head Start

Instruction (40 pts)

List 3 instructional Small groups, whole What are the students learning or How is learning being evaluated?
activities/lessons class, or individually? supposed to be learning? (formal/informal: observation,
you observed. What format? questioning, art project, writing, quiz)

ex: small groups of 4-6

ex: Teeth brushing children, actual ex: should be learning how to ex: informal: teacher observation, some
practice brush their teeth correctly, self- questioning and assistance as needed
help/life skill

1. Cat and the hat 1. Small group of 1. Students created a, “Cat and
craft. about 4 children, the Hat,” hat by arranging letter
actual practice. strips they were provided in
order to spell out their name. The
students are learning how to
correctly spell their name.
1. The teacher would watch the
individual students as they spelled out
their names asking, “What letter does
your name start with? Now what comes
next?” Teachers would assist when
needed but allow the student to do it on
their own first.

2. Journal entries. 2. Performed 2. Students had to color in their
individually, actual journals what they did on their
practice. snow day. From this they are
learning how to turn their
thoughts into a picture.
2. To evaluate the students, teachers
would go around and have the students
tell them what they had drawn. Once
the child had told the teacher, the
teacher would then write down a brief
sentence in the journal to explaining
the picture.

3. Matching Puzzle. 3. Small groups of 3. Students would match letters
two, actual practice. with an image of an object that
started with a particular letter.
Students are learning how to
relate a word and an image as
well as using sounds to predict
what letter a word starts with.
3. To evaluate students, the teachers
would observe and assist when needed
as the child tried to match letters with
pictures. They would help to correct if
there were any mistakes.
 Write 3 questions that you heard the Using Bloom’s Taxonomy of questioning, which level is each question?
teacher ask the children.
ex: What day is it? ex: Remembering

1. What did we eat for breakfast? 1. Remembering

2. What are the classroom rules? 2. Remembering

3. What do you think will happen next 3. Comprehension

in the story?

If you could change the way any of the ex: I would take notes at least 2 times a week when I observe each child with this
instructional activities were taught, task until I see that an individual is consistently (2 weeks) brushing correctly.
what would you change and why? This way I have a record of what I saw, what I asked, how I corrected. etc.

ex: teeth brushing and how it is

evaluated

Journal entries and how they were Instead of just asking the student what they had drawn and just writing it down, I
evaluated. would also have the student attempt to write it as well. This would help with
writing and literacy skills. Even if the student cannot spell or write yet, they
could try and copy what the teacher had wrote.

Reflection (10 pts)

How has this experience influenced your thoughts about becoming a teacher? Write this in a personal, reflective
tone that shows original thought. Be specific. Please do not say, “I had fun. It was a good experience.” Dig deep and be
honest!

This experienced has made me want to become a teacher even more than I previously did. Through my
observations at head start I realized how difficult working with kids can actual be. Most would be turned off by
this, however, in my opinion it makes the job even more rewarding if you are able to succeed. Kids possess
some amazing thoughts and ideas and I would love to be able to help them build on that. I learned that you may
not always approve of the way others teach but being a teacher allows you to teach your class the way you want.
I cannot wait to participate in more observations.

Professionalism (10 pts) For all logs, your writing should be of college quality. 10=0-2 errors, 5=3-5 errors, 0=>5
errors
Field Placement Attendance Form w/ Signatures: