CSN Education Department - Alternative Field Observation Activities Packet

Greetings Future Educator,

One of the most rewarding aspects of EDU 201, 202, or 203 is the opportunity you’ll have to observe in
a school classroom where students are actively engaged in learning. Each of these three CSN courses
require students to complete a 10 hour "Field Observation" in a Clark County public school. If CDC
Guidelines for Covid-19 prevent you from physically attending a school campus during the current
semester, this packet will offer the alternative experiences required to satisfy your “Field Observation”
requirements for this class virtually.

If possible to pair you with a cooperating CCSD teacher, your placement will be processed by CSN’s
observation coordinator, and you will receive details regarding your assigned school from your CSN
professor. Only then, will you contact the school and meet virtually with your assigned CCSD
“cooperating teacher”. Both you and your cooperating teacher will design a mutually agreeable schedule
to complete your required contact hours once you meet for the first time.

Within this packet, you will find the required field experience assignments that you must complete in
order to pass this class.

Your Name:

CSN Course:

Professor:

Professor’s email:

CCSD School:

Cooperating Teacher:
Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 1
DEPARTMENT OF TEACHER EDUCATION FIELD EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Standards of Conduct
You are student representatives of the CSN Education Department and the teaching profession.
Candidates are expected to maintain high standards of personal and professional ethics.

Attendance and Punctuality

Regular attendance and punctuality are mandatory. Once you determine a schedule with your
cooperating teacher, this becomes an agreement in which you are expected to adhere to. You are
expected to login and log-off to virtual meetings at the scheduled time. In case of illness or emergency
that would prevent you from joining a scheduled class virtually, you must contact the cooperating
teacher a minimum of 3 days in advance to let them know you will not be in attendance on that day.

Relationships
You should exercise respectful discretion when voicing your personal views. It is important that your
demeanor and opinions remain confidential. Under no circumstances can information about any
students be released to, or discussed with, any unauthorized person. It is forbidden to have any contact
with students outside of the classroom you are assigned. This restriction includes CSN students
contacting CCSD students in person, through any electronic means, or through the use of social media.

Dress Code
CSN Department of Education wants you to be a success. Therefore we have adopted the CCSD dress
code for students fulfilling their observation requirement in the assigned school district. Appearance
creates credibility; make a good first impression by dressing professionally, even when meeting virtually.

Required Acceptable Attire:

Males:
• Shirts with collars
• Ties (optional) with button down shirts
• Khakis, trousers, slacks; belts if pants have loops, (no sagging, rips or tears)
• Simple jewelry
• Shoes and socks that cover the toes and heels

Females:
• Shirts or blouses that cover the shoulders & waist; no see-through or mesh
• Sweaters worn over shirt
• Pants, pantsuits, khakis, trousers, slacks (no sagging, rips or tears)
• Jumpers, dresses, skirts (in length from 2" above the knee to the ankle)
• Shoes and socks that cover the toes and heels
• Leggings worn under dresses/skirts/jumpers
• Simple jewelry or none
• Little (daytime) make-up

Not Acceptable Attire: jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter tops, muscle T-shirts, tight fitting clothing, warm
ups, sandals, flip flops, stilettos; no cleavage showing, no sagging or frayed hems; no head covering
except for religious reasons, such as a yarmulke or turban-like. No nontraditional hair colors/styles.
Undergarments and tattoos should be covered. Remove facial jewelry. *School principal/supervisor has
the sole discretion on questionable clothing or appearance that distracts from student learning.
Classroom Conduct: At all times, the cooperating teacher maintains legal responsibility for pupils in his
or her classroom. You should never assume that responsibility and be left unsupervised with children.
You should not discipline students. You are an observer, who should take notes to discuss during your
next education class meeting, or to record in your Field Observation packet.
Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 2
Professional Conduct:
Never speak to staff or students in an abusive manner.
Never touch or be alone with a student for any reason.
Never give a student food, drink, or other items without the teacher’s permission. Never
take photos/video of students or staff without written permission from the principal.
Never make or accept calls/text using any communication device while at the school.

CCSD WAIVERS

Review the terms of the CCSD Waiver Forms provided by your instructor.
“Student Statement of Responsibility” (Exhibit B)
“Student Confidentiality Statement” (Exhibit C)

These 2 waiver documents MUST be agreed to in order to secure your observation placement. While
submitting your Field Observation Request, you will be prompted to check that you have read the
waivers and that you agree to the terms. Completion of the CSN Field Observation is a PASS/FAIL
component of the course.

ONCE YOU ARE ASSIGNED A COOPERATING TEACHER WHO IS DISTANCE LEARNING

1. Pre-plan for initial contact with the school you are assigned and make sure that all interaction with
CCSD employees and students is respectful, courteous, and professional. You are a representative of
this class and the college. CCSD is allowing you to observe their teachers to further your understanding
of the teaching profession. It is imperative that your actions reflect a willingness to learn, and are
reflective of a future professional educator. The school will select a teacher for you to observe and
provide you with their contact information.

2. The first half of your field observation/experience will be centered around learning background
information about the school you were assigned, and focusing on the general and unique characteristics
of its culture. You will be looking at, and reflecting upon things that are going on in the virtual classroom
at the school level that you were assigned. You are simply observing during this time. Your cooperating
teacher may give you guidance on how your experience can be expanded beyond simple observations,
if he/she feels comfortable with your professionalism and skills.

3. Contact your Cooperating Teacher to introduce yourself. Since this is your first contact, ask the
teacher for the necessary information to access their virtual classroom, and when the live sessions occur
that they would prefer you to join. Share this “Field Observation Activities Packet”, with your cooperating
teacher as well as the last 3 pages which contain the “Cooperating Teacher Information”, the “Time
Log” and the “Field Observation Student Evaluation”. Let the teacher know that you will be taking
notes during the observation for your packet assignments, that you will be asking them to verify your
hours of attendance, and evaluate your participation once the total observation hours are complete.

4. When logging in with your cooperating teacher and their students during a virtual meeting, it is
recommended that you keep both your microphone and video camera OFF during the observation,
unless the cooperating teacher directs you to speak or be seen while observing. In that case, make sure
your home workspace is void of background distractions, or anything in view that may be considered
inappropriate for students to see. Your online attire should be the same as if you were visiting the school
in person. Employ the use of typical lighting and image framing to make the most of your broadcast. The
typical “Rule of Thirds” works well, whereby the camera height is adjusted so that your eyes are
positioned in the top third of the window. Front lit subjects look better on screen than being backlit by a
window or artificial light.
Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 3
THE FIELD OBSERVATION PACKET ASSIGNMENT DIRECTIONS

Read through all the assignments and take notes during your observation visits. You will gather
information on more than one assignment during an observation. Then, using your notes answer
the questions for each assignment.

• All assignments must be word processed. Your detailed responses to assignment questions
must demonstrate careful analysis of the questions and the observation information.

• Questions and their responses must include thorough explanations and examples from the
classroom observation. All responses must be written as complete sentences.

• Include the question number, along with your response as a short essay response as in this
sample below:

Assignment #2 - Question 1: What is your first impression of the classroom

environment?

Response: “The classroom environment is friendly and welcoming to the

students and seems a fun place to learn. The classroom is decorated with
the students’ work, interesting posters and the teacher shows respect to
the students.”

When it is time to submit the Field Observation Packet for grading, these items must be
included:

• The cover page of the Field Observation Packet

• All observation assignments

• Time Log verifying hours spent within virtual meetings

• The Cooperating Teacher Evaluation

Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 4

 THE FIELD OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENTS
Cooperating Teacher assigned to CSN student

ASSIGNMENT #1 (Culture): Using the questions below, carefully observe and evaluate the
culture of the school. School culture refers to the way teachers and other staff members work
together and the set of beliefs, values, and assumptions they share. A positive school climate
and school culture promote students' ability to learn. Remember you are evaluating the school
for its educational culture, place of learning, sense of safety, invitation for learning, promotion
of self actualization, development of values and socialization. Use online resources such as your
assigned school’s CCSD webpage, http://nevadareportcard.nv.gov/di/, https://
www.publicschoolreview.com, and https://www.greatschools.org/nevada/las-vegas/ to answer
the following questions.

Physical Characteristics: Look at a picture(s) of the school to determine atmosphere, comfort, and
feelings the school creates for students in the educational setting.

1. Consider the school property: building, grounds, fencing, equipment, landscaping, trees,
parking lot, crosswalks, gates, signs and symbols. Describe in detail.

2. Next, (if available) study the interior of the school: halls, floor coverings, lighting, doors,
windows, hall colors and decorations and entrance security. Explain in detail.

Culture of the School: Read, listen and/or observe to determine the climate, values, and
atmosphere within the school.

1: What are your first impressions of the school? Enrollment, graduation rate, proficiency rates,
student/teacher ratio etc.

2: Please describe the student make-up of the school, including gender, ethnicity, students with
disabilities, ELL students, and any other attributes that are important to note you found.

3. Explain the school’s mission/vision statements, motto, and mascot.

4. Examine school traditions, achievements and awards; community recognition or community

partners; extracurricular activities/clubs and athletics. Look for and document sources of
community pride and sense of identity through ceremonies, assemblies, trophies, and
artifacts.

5. Briefly describe three other pieces of information that can be found on your assigned school’s
website.

Culture of the Classroom: Each classroom has its own culture and way of life.

1. What are the teacher’s expectations for learning and success?

2. Evaluate the level of student participation in the class. Who participates? Who does not?

3. Evaluate the interactions between teacher and students, rapport, cohesiveness, distribution of
power, teacher personality.

4. Observe student-to-student interactions, inside and outside of the class. Are they using any
chat features to communicate with each other?
Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 5
ASSIGNMENT #2 (Observations)

1: What are your first impressions of the virtual classroom environment? Is it warm, inviting,
organized, etc? Describe the virtual environment in detail.

2: Please describe the student make-up of the class, including gender, ethnicity, ELL, students
with physical challenges, and any other apparent attributes that are important to note.

3: Are their posted class rules or course expectations? If rules/expectations are posted write
them exactly as they appear.

4: Does the teacher enforce these posted rules/expectations? What rewards or consequences
are used for compliance or noncompliance?

5: What is the posted daily/weekly schedule for different subjects or periods?

6: Do you see evidence of the school’s mission/vision statements in the virtual environment?

ASSIGNMENT #3 (Classroom Layout): Take screenshots of the learning management system used
by the teacher (Canvas, Google Classroom, Seesaw etc..)

>>>INSERT YOUR SCREENSHOT HERE<<<

1: Describe the workflow of the online environment. Is the space and time used

efficiently? 2: In your opinion, how can the virtual arrangement of the room be improved?

ASSIGNMENT #4 (Instruction): Observe any instructional time with your assigned Cooperative
Teacher, and record your observations when presented with the questions below:

1: Is instruction delivered in small groups, centers, whole groups, individually?

2: Describe your cooperating teacher’s teaching style.

3: How does the teacher incorporate the sensory modalities (learning styles)? Give examples.

4: Do the students seem engaged in the lesson(s) presented? Please explain.

5: Are there any students isolated or not present/participating in the class? Explain?

6: How does the teacher handle absences from the class?

Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 6
7: How does the teacher handle transitions from subject to subject or activity to activity? Are
the transitions efficient?

8: List ways the teacher uses “attention getting” commands, word phrases, signals, etc. Are
they effective?

9: What specific behavior issues does the teacher have to deal with? How does the teacher
handle the behavior issues? Be specific.

10: Are there any policies or procedures that help or hinder instructional time? Please explain
them and how they help or hinder instructional time.

ASSIGNMENT #5 (Observing a student): Discretely observe one student in your assigned

classroom during direct instruction.

1: What drove you to choose this student?

2: Explain what the student did during the observation.

3. Summarize the lesson given and the student’s responses to the lesson.

4. Make sure to document ALL behavior in relationship to what was being presented by the
classroom teacher.

5. Please describe what you discovered about the student’s learning styles, involvement in
class, and his/her educational needs.

ASSIGNMENT #6 (Cooperating Teacher Interview): Arrange for a convenient time to interview

your cooperating teacher either on the phone or by video conference. Ask the questions below.
Include any school document, handouts, etc. the teacher provides..

1: What was the primary reason you became a teacher?

2: What are the main challenges you face as a teacher?
3: What is the best part of being a teacher?
4: How do you determine where students sit in class?
5: How do you select members of any flexible groups?
6: How often do you interact with parents in person? What are the main reasons for
interactions with parents?
7: How much grading do you complete on a daily/weekly basis?
8: How long does it take to prepare lessons for the day/week?
9: What procedures or strategies do you use to maximize instructional time?
Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 7
10: What positive reinforcements have you used successfully? What behavioral consequences
seem most effective with this age group?
11: How are specialist teachers involved in your instructional planning and process? 12: How
often are you evaluated, and what measurement tool is used by the administration for
determining your teaching performance?
13: What consequences are there if your evaluation is not favorable?
14: What surprised you most about teaching as a profession?
15: What drives their lesson plans? What standards do teachers use during lesson
planning? 16: If they are teaching at a Nevada Charter school, are there lessons prescribed
from core standards or from other resources?
17. How do you accommodate ELL, GATE, General Ed and Special Education students?

ASSIGNMENT #7 (Summary): Thoroughly summarize and reflect upon your entire 10 hour Field
Observation. What did you observe, learn, realize about teachers, students, instruction, the
school environment? How has this observation better prepared you to understand the teaching
profession? How does the observation relate to the text information and class activities? What
specific ideas on teaching will you remember to include in your classroom?
______________________________________________________________________

Remember that before receiving the final grade for this EDU course, the CSN
student must submit the completed Field Observation Activities Packet, Time
Log, and Student Evaluation to the CSN instructor for grading.

The cooperating teacher must also email the instructor to confirm the
successful completion of the observation. The student must provide the CCSD
cooperating teacher with their CSN professor’s email, so the cooperating
teacher can send an email to verify that the student has successfully completed
the 10 hours of observation. The instructor’s email must be provided on the first
page of this packet, and on the next page for the cooperating teacher.

Remember that completion of the Field Observation is a PASS/FAIL component

of the course. Students must save this completed packet in digital form, and as
a hard copy for the Education Department’s capstone course, (EDU 299) or
(EDU 220)
Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 8
COOPERATING TEACHER INFORMATION - CSN FIELD OBSERVATIONS - VIRTUAL

Dear Cooperating Teacher,

Thank you for assisting in the preparation of a new generation of Nevada teachers. Our
education majors are required to complete 10 field observation hours in: EDU 20____
Introduction to __________________ Education

This class is where many of our students actually make the decision whether they will continue
further study of the profession. We appreciate you joining us in providing these students with a
wonderful first experience in the virtual classroom. If at all possible, please utilize the student to
assist you in supervised classroom instructional activities if you deem them ready.

We are hopeful that the information we have enclosed with this letter, which has been approved
by the Nevada College Consortium, will help you with a clear sense of how this field experience
works.

When the student has completed his/her required 10 observation hours, please complete and
sign the “FIELD OBSERVATION TIME LOG” and “FIELD OBSERVATION STUDENT
EVALUATION” (along with the student). Then, return these two pages to the student who will
submit them to his/her professor.

For your convenience, the student has provided you with CSN contact information below.
Please contact the CSN instructor if there are any questions or concerns.

Also, before a final grade for EDU _____ can be assigned, the CSN professor MUST receive
your official email verification that the student successfully completed the 10 hour observation.
Please also “cc” the student on this email. The student WILL NOT receive a final grade in the
course until the email is received from you.

CSN Course # & name: EDU ______ Introduction to __________________ Education

CSN Professor:

CSN Professor’s phone:

CSN Professor’s email:

Student’s full name: Beverly Smith

Student’s email: smithbeverly7@gmail.com

Should you have any concerns or questions about this process, please feel free to contact the instructor
directly, or the CSN Education Department at: (702) 651-4400.

Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 9

TIME LOG - CSN Field Observations - VIRTUAL MEETINGS

CSN Student: >>> Beverly Smith

CSN Instructor: >>>

CCSD School Assigned: >>> Jay Jeffers ES

CCSD Cooperating Teacher: >>> Diana Hernandez

CCSD Grade/Department: >>> Kindergarten

CCSD School Principal: >>> Heather Lenz

CCSD School Phone >>> (702)799-2100

DATE START TIME END TIME HOURS

Date Start time End time Hours

10/07 8:40 am 9:40 am 1

10/08 12:45 pm 1:45 pm 1

10/09 8:40 am 9:40 am 1

10/21 12:45 pm 1:45 pm 1

10/22 12:45 pm 1:45 pm 1

10/28 10:45 am 11:05 am 20 minutes

10/28 12:25 pm 1:50 pm 1.5 hours

11/04 08:40 am 9:40 am 1

11/04 10:45 am 11:05 am 20 minutes

11/04 12:25 pm 1:25 pm 1

11/19 2:00 pm 3:45 pm 1.5 hours

TOTAL HOURS: 10

Cooperating Teacher Signature: Diana Hernandez Date: November 19, 2020

Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 10

FIELD OBSERVATION STUDENT EVALUATION - completed by Cooperating CCSD teacher

Please complete the following evaluation using the Performance Indicator Scores below (with the
student) once the total observation hours are met. Your constructive comments are extremely valuable to
the student. Return this page to the student along with their Time Log to be submitted to the instructor
with the completed Field Observation Packet.

Enter the appropriate “Performance Indicator Score” in the spaces below

(4)=exemplary (3)=consistent level (2)=not consistent (1)=lacking

___4__ Professional appearance, adherence to CCSD dress code

___4__ Reliability, punctuality

__4___ Communicates effectively with teachers and staff

___4__ Demonstrates manners, graciousness

__4___ Reflects upon observations using critical thinking

__4___ Demonstrates enthusiasm and curiosity toward the profession

__4___ Models respectful behavior with students

__4___ Uses appropriate language

__4___ Exhibits pre-service educator success indicators

Comments:
Ms. Smith demonstrates enthusiasm for the profession. She is always asking professional questions
about how to manage the virtual classroom, how it will be in a regular classroom, resources that I use
for my lessons, and giving me feedback on my teaching, expressing gratefulness for being with us. She
is always punctual and showing respect for the class by having her mic off that we do not even notice
she was there. When there was time she always engaged in conversation showing curiosity for the
activities we were doing in my grade level, pointing out that she will use some of them in her future
classroom. She will be a great addition to our profession.

Cooperating Teacher’s Signature: Diana Hernandez Date: November 19, 2020

Alternative Field Observation Packet © CSN Ed Department 2020 11