Tayzia Stark 1

Observation Journal
1. Do you think your teacher has successfully created a productive learning environment? Why or why not?
The seating “arrangement” seems to be ineffective.  Students sit where they want and are constantly distracted with socializing
or working together when they are supposed to be independently working.  However, she does have helpful posters, reminders,
and tips posted all around the classroom that seem to really help students when they struggle.  Additionally, she always has
written on the board their learning goals and requirements that students can reference at any time.

2. What techniques does the teacher use to keep students actively involved in academic activities?
She uses a lot of cooperative learning strategies.  The problem is, while it keeps students involved, they are often off task instead
of accomplishing their learning goals.

3. How is your teacher’s “withitness?”

I am having a difficult time deciding whether she misses a lot that is going on, or if she is simply picking her battles.  As I
mentioned, the seating and cooperative learning are meant to be helpful, but typically lead to more disorganization and
misbehavior.  She does walk around the room while they work on their assignments, but often gets stuck helping one or two
people, so a lot seems to go unnoticed.

4. What types of “punishments” are used in your classroom?

Typical punishments in this classroom are being separated from others, removing group points (certain amounts of points lead
to different rewards), or sometimes I will just go sit with them so that they are uncomfortable and get back on task.

5. How or where are the rules posted in your classroom? How were they created? By the students or the teacher?
"I do have rules posted in my classroom. They were made by me, mainly because I believe they have to be non-negotiable in
order to be rules. We make expectations together as a class when talking about things such as small group, lining up,
independent work, etc."

Curriculum
Tayzia Stark 2

6. Give an example of when the teacher used integrated curriculum across subjects (i.e. combining science and language arts).
I have not seen her do this yet, but this school has a somewhat unique system.  Though there are three fourth-grade classrooms,
plus a floater teacher, the students move between the three classes for different subjects.  During the time I am there to conduct
my observations, the class that begins in Ms. L’s room begins with an ELA lesson, taught by the floater teacher (who often has
Ms. L help her).  Then, Ms. L takes over and teaches science.  I leave as they are leaving for their “specials,” but some of the
remainder of their lessons take place in the other classrooms.

7. Give an example of when the teacher used hidden curriculum.

The class was asked to discuss something with their partner.  A student raised his hand and said, “my partner isn’t here today.” 
Instead of fixing it for him, she said, “solve your problem,” so he joined another group.  Also, she has them set goals regularly
and write them on a sticky note to put on their desks until they feel they have accomplished the goal, whether it is academic or
behavioral.

8. Does your teacher used differentiated instruction?

One thing I have noticed is that there is one girl that seems to be somewhat “exempt” from certain requirements of the others. 
During lessons and instructions, students sit on a rug in front of the whiteboard, except one girl who usually stays at her desk
and cuts things out of paper or does origami.  Anyone else would be told to return to the rug.  However, it is easy to tell this girl
is listening, and she typically finishes the following assignment before the other students.  Other than this though, I have only
seen everyone be given the same assignments and directions.

9. Can you tell what kind of learner the teacher is from his/her instructional preferences?
I think she is either a kinesthetic or visual learner.  She uses a lot of posters, pictures, and charts, but when she can, she
incorporates hands-on activities, such as the one I discuss in the next question.

10. Do you think the teacher adapts the curriculum to the types of learners in the classroom?
Yes, and one great example was in a science lesson on erosion/weathering.  She began by projecting an article about the topic,
and reading it together as a class, with a brief discussion.  Then, she incorporated a hands-on activity in which the students used
Chips Ahoy crunchy chocolate chip cookies to demonstrate the multiple types of erosion (wind, water, etc.) and observe what
Tayzia Stark 3
effect these had on their cookies.  Then, for each type, they had to write what type they demonstrated, what they observed, and
draw a picture of the result.  After, they had another brief discussion about the things they noticed when they were
experimenting with their cookies.

11. Does your teacher like the curriculum she is teaching?

"Each principal is different in their implementation of curriculum. Our principal is flexible and allows us to implement in a way
that we as a fourth-grade team see fit.”

12. What would they like to see added in the future?

"I helped create the science curriculum for fourth grade science and it is in its first year. Since it is being implemented for the
first time, I feel like there are many things that can be added and changed. That is pretty normal though."
Tayzia Stark 4

Technology

1.  What kind of technology was used in the class(es) you observed? Was it effective?
The classroom I observed uses iPads or projections of the teacher’s laptop onto the board, both of which have been
effective.  Students also use their iPads for testing, which is much more efficient than the way they had to do it when I was a
child.  I remember having to rotate using the computer lab with other classes for state tests, whereas by using classroom iPads,
the teacher can choose the most convenient time of day for them and complete the tests within their own
classroom.  Additionally, students have programs on their tablets that make it easy for them to do research, help with writing, or
educational games to play during free times.

2.  What type of technology might you use when you start your teaching career?
From what I have seen, iPads can be very helpful in the classroom, and I would like to use them someday.  Obviously, time and
use with them would be limited to prevent them from becoming a distraction, but I have seen them be more beneficial than
distracting in the class I am currently observing.  I also feel that using e-mail and a classroom website can be very beneficial for
parents and myself, to help ensure everyone is receiving important notes and updates.  I also like (to a certain degree) the idea
of virtual field trips.  Of course, I would prefer to get to take my students out for new experiences, but budgets and location can
be very limiting, so virtual field trips give students the opportunity to visit places and learn about them from the classroom.

3.  Do you think it is harder or easier to incorporate technology into your classroom?
I think this really depends on a lot of factors.  Used correctly, technology can be a lifesaver at times, but at other times it can be
more distracting or stressful than helpful.  Carol Billing’s video made a good point that students of different backgrounds may
find technology more frustrating than others.  Some children grow up with these things around their house, others perhaps
could not afford these things or are immigrants who have never even heard of it.  Getting students on the same page so they all
can comfortably use the technology may be a tough task on its own.  Also, it is dangerous to rely too much on technology, as it is
not always reliable, thus, a tech-free backup plan is always important.

Diversity

4.  How diverse was your class(es) you observed?

Tayzia Stark 5
This class has 29 students—23 Hispanic/Latino, 6 white, and all of them speak fluent English.

5.  What did your mentor/teacher do (or not do) to create a diverse classroom? 
The classroom has multiple bookshelves covered in books for the students to read, some of which have information on other
countries, or take place in other countries and allow readers to get immersed in other cultures this way.  She also does an
amazing job of treating all her students equally and with fairness.