REPORT

School Observation
Dareen Nakouzi
201901772

SPTH270
Speech Therapy Internship Seminar
 I had the opportunity to observe Mariam ElBatish's Kg2 classroom containing 24
students at Hajj Bahaa Hariri school. The purpose of this school observation is to observe
normal developing students and how activities are enhancing their skills. This report is
divided into two parts; first, I will be describing and analyzing the classroom, and second
I will be discussing an activity that was done targeting specific objectives.

When I started school observation, I looked for many different classroom items, where I
noticed that everything looked safe and organized. Beside the door was a coat rack,
where every child was responsible for putting and taking his/her jacket independently. On
each side of the classroom was a different colored and shaped table containing a small
group of children. First, It taught the children to be organized by memorizing where their
seats should be according to the tables' differences. Also, it helped in dividing them into
different groups, which enabled them to cooperate and work as one team. Moreover, The
tables' differences in colors and shapes emphasized the primary colors(e.g., Red, yellow)
and the main shapes (e.g., triangle, circle). For example, when the teacher wanted to call
for a specific group, she would mention the color and shape of the table's group, which
reinforced the images in children's minds. There was an alphabetical squared-shaped
carpet in the middle of the classroom that built an optimum learning environment. First,
sitting together as a group let them experience a sense of being a part of a community or
group. Also, it helped them to take turns and respect it since that teacher had already
explained the order's direction and importance. They discovered what a routine is since
sitting on a carpet included activities(e.g., storytime). Also, each child had a specific
place to sit in ( sit on a letter for a particular time), which helped them to be organized
and follow the rules. Besides that, there was a cubby(bookcase) named with the students'
names, where they were responsible for placing or taking their book, arranged in a
specific order. Thus, it helped them become more organized and accountable for their
items. On the same side, there was a chalkboard that had two main aims. First, the
teacher used it to explain lessons visually to grab the student's attention to understand and
process information effectively. Likewise, students used it to practice shapes and letters
(e.g., drawing a circle, dots, or lines) to improve their fine motor skills by practicing. The
colorful Bullitenboards in the classroom not only made the learning environment more
attractive and enjoyable for children but also had specific purposes. It displayed visuals
of vital information. For example, there was a poster regarding Corona Virus precautions
about how children should protect themselves. And whenever someone breaks the safety
measures, the teacher reminds them through it. Also, it displayed posters concerning
shapes, letters, or numbers, which reviewed essential concepts and reinforced the storage
of information(e.g., letter A) visually whenever children forgot them. Furthermore, the
art corner in the classroom grabbed my attention because the wall was full of children's
creative drawings. These drawings were not only motivating and helping them to express
themselves but also helped in developing motor skills and eye-hand coordination skills by
practicing in a fun and creative way. In this corner was a rainbow drawer that had in it
classroom supplies(e.g., scissors, coloring pens), creating an encouraging learning
environment for children and keeping the classroom supplies away from children to keep
them safe. The classroom contained an LCD that was used by the teacher to explain some
lessons. The visual and auditory nature of the videos attracted children's interest, which
resulted in enhancing listening skills and developing more effective processing and
memory recall. Children's language and communication development are not only
affected by the classroom environment but also through the activities applied by the
teacher.

In childhood years, it is very beneficial to explain and deliver the subjects through
creative activities. It will affect children's desire to learn positively. In the class that I was
observing, they did many activities, but there was one that attracted my attention. The
objective was to develop language skills throught learning new vocabs, improve motor
skills, stimulate creative thinking, and enhance knowledge about the Autumn season.
Children had to wear an orange-colored t-shirt. The required materials were long white
sheet paper, paintbrushes, and paints(red and yellow). First, the teacher divided the
students into different groups. Every group was excited and motivated while mixing red
and yellow colors that they already acquired to get a new color, which was orange. After
that, some students were able to name the three colors, including the one they obtained.
Then, the teacher asked them which season reflect these colors, where some students
answered her by "Autumn season."After that, students drew by these three colors related
things to the Autumn season(e.g., leaves of the tree). As a result, they acquired new
vocabulary(orange color) and reviewed the old ones, which helped them to differentiate
between them since they were practically using and visualizing these colors. Also, it
enhanced children's motor skills and eye-hand coordination by practicing painting.
Moreover, it stimulated children's critical thinkings to draw a connection between these
colors and the Autumn season and creativity in drawing, and it improved knowledge
about the Autumn season.

"If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they
learn."(Estrada,n.d). It means that teachers should adapt to the learning style of the
students if they are not benefiting from the way they teach. Teachers should build an
optimum learning environment and should explain lessons through creative and useful
activities to affect the children's speech and language development positively. Early
childhood is a vital period of life, where children learn essential information about the
things around them, affecting their lifelong attitude toward the world, learning, and most
importantly themselves.

References
Gawron, H(2018, Mar 12). "If A Child Can't Learn The Way We
Teach…" .tweenteacher.com.Retrieved from: http://tweenteacher.com/2008/03/12/if-a-
child-cant-learn-the-way-we-teach/