Rebecca Fischer

Professor Gray

EDU 250

March 13, 2016

Classroom Observation

School: Creative Kids Learning Center Telephone: 702-255-0443

Beginning & Ending Time Observation: 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Teacher: Ms. Yvonne Grade/Age: Pre-K Number of Children: 14

1. General atmosphere? What elements in the classroom help to create the atmosphere you

have described? When I come to school, my classroom helps me feel welcomed and excited to

learn. My teacher and friends greet me when I arrive. Everyone knows my name and are happy

to see me. I can tell because my teacher and friends smile at me and invite me to join in Group

Time. I’m proud because my crab art is on the wall. I know where to quickly put my lunch and

jacket because my cubby has my name and picture in it. After I put my things away, the teacher

invites me to the carpet and points to where there is room for me. I like that my teacher knows

my mom’s name and tells her to have a great day.

2. Feel about the teacher? I like my teacher because she plans fun activities. When I’m not

sure what to play or do, she always helps me find what I need. Ms. Yvonne is always available

for a hug or help me with my pants after I use the bathroom. Sometimes I’m not sure how to

take turns. She listens and helps me talk to my friends so they know I want to play with the car

when they’re done.

3. Feel about the other children? I like to play with my friends at school. My best friends are

Antonio and Jayden. We like to sit next to each other and play together. We really like to build

roads for cars. Sometimes I get mad when other kids like to play with us, too. One girl comes

on a yellow bus every day. She likes to take my toys when I’m playing. Sometimes she tries to

get into my cubby and open my lunch box. Ms. Yvonne helps me use my words when I don’t

like what she’s doing. I know this girl is a little different. Ms. Yvonne helps my class learn how

to help her play with us.

4. Follow the routine? Routine feel? I’ve been coming to my class all school year and know

the schedule now. My teacher has a picture schedule at the front of the room that she refers to in

order to help us know what is happening next. She used to use it a lot more at the beginning of

the school year. This week we have a new student so she refers to it all day long. It’s nice to

have a schedule. I like knowing what comes next. Since I don’t know how to tell time yet,

knowing the schedule helps me know what time of day it is. I like not having to always ask what

is happening next.

5. Emotionally safe? Ms. Yvonne likes to talk about our feelings. One time I got really mad at

another boy for hitting me as we played together. Ms. Yvonne helped me to know that it was

okay to be mad and hurt and that she would help me. She also helped me talk to the other boy.
Sometimes I am sad and really miss my mom and dad during the day. Ms. Yvonne helps me by

giving me a hug. She lets me know it’s okay to miss my parents. She also helps me to feel

better. Sometimes a hug is all I need. I also remember that I have pictures of my family on the

wall. I like that Ms. Yvonne listens to me.

6. Know and understand the rules? How fair is the teacher? At the beginning of the school

year, my class made rules for our choices and put them on the wall. I can’t read yet, but my

handprint is on our rules poster and that helps me remember I promised to come to school ready

to learn, to respect others’ learning time, and to respect school property. Ms. Yvonne helps us

remember class rules each day. I think that Ms. Yvonne is a fair teacher. Every day we talk

about what it means to be ready to learn. She helps us learn to take care of our things and of our

classroom. It’s nice to know that she doesn’t change the rules. When someone breaks a rule, she

talks to the child and helps them make a different choice. I like it when she notices I’m

following the rules. She gives me high fives.

7. Be different? In my class we have kids from lots of backgrounds. There are kids from lots

of different countries. Some speak English only at school. Some kids have a mom and dad.

Some live with their grandparents. Some kids have a mom and mom or a dad and dad. Even

though we look different and sound different, Ms. Yvonne helps us learn about each other. She

helps me to know it’s okay to ask my friends about how they are different from me.

8. Boys or girls? Ms. Yvonne doesn’t show a preference. We all have the same rules to follow.

We have lots of activities to choose from.

9. "Learn" in your class? Today we sang a new song at group time. It was hard for me to

learn the words at first, so I lost interest. Ms. Yvonne noticed some of my other classmates

didn’t understand yet. She gave us musical clickers to use as we continued to learn the song.

That helped me to learn the song better. Later during small group, it was hard to trace the letter

of the week. Ms. Yvonne helped me take deep breaths and let me know it was okay to keep

trying.

10. Changes

• Ms. Yvonne is a great teacher. I hope she keeps helping me learn in my class.

• She mostly listens to me. However, I notice she gets busy in class and needs me to wait.

Maybe she could slow down to make sure I don’t need something important.

• From my experience in Ms. Yvonne’s classroom, I am comfortable and excited to learn

each day.