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 ____Angelin Nasser_______Observation Site ___Child Development Center Guadalupe_____

Grade/Age Level _______

The Educational Setting (20 pts)

Describe the physical setting of the classroom.
The classroom was not too big, so it is cozy for the kids to all engage together and supervise everyone. There were
stations for everything like the science station, multiple toy stations, cleaning supply station, and reading area. There
were a lot of personal things. They have a big family tree with pictures of all the kids and their family. They have
comfort corner for one kid and a solution kit where there are the rules to look back at. There are also cubbies with
the children’s last name and initial with their pictures as well. They also have display art works and a clothes lines
that display the poems they are reading.

Give your opinion about the setting. Like it/Dislike it? Why? What would you change?
I liked the setting very much because it gave such a warm, homey feeling so the kids can feel accepted
and comfortable. I think that they did a great job in making those stations fun yet very educational for the
kids. I would not change much but I would add more creative educational games and more things for kids
to express their feelings like maybe pictures they can relate to. Adding more education posters is always
a great thing because the kids can always look at it and not forget what they are learning.

Include a sketch of the classroom.

How has the teacher created a “caring community”? (Comment on the teacher/student relationship, social-emotional
supports--ch. 6)
The teacher welcomed everyone into the classroom. She made sure she included everyone in what they were doing.
Ask them questions, made them physically interact with the games or the books they are reading. Asked some kids
to flip the page to keep them engaged. She paid attention to every kid’s needs. She helped the boy with special needs
to take the sweatshirt off, guided him where to put it and made sure he drank some water. She interacted with
everyone when they were playing outside, she went to every group and asked them questions about what they were
doing and how to do things properly.
Rules and Routines (20 pts)
List the classroom/school rules. Reflect on these rules. (i.e. Are the rules posted? Who do
We are safe and healthy you think wrote the rules? Good/bad?)
We are a team Yes, the rules are posted next to the comfort zone. I think the
We are friendly and kind teacher wrote the rules. I do think the rules are good because
We are respectful of people and things. they create comfort for the kids that they are safe, and it
teaches them to love and respect others.

List any classroom/school routines you observe. Ones you liked/disliked? Why?
Kids answer question of the day. I liked the one where they move their picture from home to
Kids wash their hands before breakfast. school because I feel like it makes kids excited to be there
Move their picture from home to school. and feel good about being at school.
Look at the weather chart. I also liked when she gave them a five-minute warning to
Go outside to do activities. clean up, it teaches them teamwork and the responsibility to
Clean up. clean after themselves.
Kids choosing a book to read I loved when she let the kids choose the book they wanted to
Large group time of singing read next. It makes them feel validated and excites them to
 Marking down what the kids are eating read the book because it was their choice and not forced
upon them.
Classroom Management (20 pts)
3 Strategies that I saw the teacher use are: Effective? Why/why not?

1. She gave a 5-minute warning. Y or N It is effective because it makes the kid aware of how
much time they have left to clean up and be ready.
2. she used a lot of advanced “juicy” It is because it keeps the kids engaged and teaches them
words. Y or N new advanced words so they can use it too.
It is because it keeps the kids interested and engaged
3. She let the kids choose which book to during story time. It helps the kids see that their opinions
read. Y or N are choices are cared for and encourages them to speak
up.
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.
I think one thing that I observed and could relate to my learning is letting the kids choose what they want to do. I love it
when teachers give us the choice of what we want to read, write about, or just anything else because it makes us choose
something that we are interested in. We tend to always do better when it is something of our choosing because it is not
forced upon us. It goes hand in hand with the kids choosing what activity they want to do. they would enjoy and be more
comfortable with the activity because it was of their choosing. It also teaches us and the kids to make our own decisions and
not be controlled by others all the time. It also enhances our engagement and motivation in class as well as allow us to
capitalize on our strengths and enable us to meet our own individual need. It makes the students feel included and that their
choices matter in the classroom.

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.
3 transitions must be from your textbook or an outside source (give credit where it is due, please.)
For each transition, include the following:
Where did you see/find it (source)?
Is it an effective technique? Why/why not? Discuss developmental appropriateness.
What learning is promoted while using this transition?
A reflection on the transition: Would you use it? Why/why not? Comment on child development theory in your
reflection.
TRANSITION SOURCE EXPLAIN EXPLAIN LEARNING (c) REFLECTION (d)
(a) EFFECTIVENESS (b)

Ex: Sang “Clean Ex: Saw this Ex: When a bell rang, all Ex: Organization, Ex: For preschoolers and Kdgn,
Up, Clean Up” on my 1st day children began singing & responsibility, timing, respect I would probably use it. It’s a
as center time at Head Start- cleaning up. It took less than for each other and property, catchy, easy song and can be
was ending and York location 3 mins to get everything back memorization of a song. These repeated until all children are
story time was in place. All were engaged
going to begin. and busy with their own jobs.
No issues! Songs are
appropriate to use with
preschoolers.
are skills found in the PA early where they need to be. Physical
learning standards (Approaches and Language development are
to Learning and Language and enhanced with this transition.
Literacy)

The students Saw this in When Ms. Silver instructed Kids learn listening to I would use this transition
started cleaning Ms. Silver’s them to stand up, the kids instructions quietly, showing because it doesn’t create chaos
up their tables classroom were getting out of their chairs respect to the teacher and each in the classroom and the
while listening management slowly and putting them back other as well. They learn children learn how to be
to the teacher’s video. in place. They were all organization and the organized and stay together
instructions to listening to Ms. Silver and responsibility of what team with their group. Physical and
move to the standing there quietly. She they are on and how to stick cognitive development are
reading area explained their color groups together. enhanced with this transition.
with their color and they were listening and
teams. trying to figure out their color
groups.

After the Saw this in When they finished singing Kids learn to transition from I would use it but I would add
students finished Kindergarten the song, the teacher explained one activity to the other in an more organization to the
singing a song mathematics their teams and what tables organized way while respecting transition. I would have the
they were going classroom they are going to. Kids were the instructions from the groups go to their tables one
to move from video. organized and respectful and teacher. It encourages group at a time, so it doesn’t
the chairs to the they took their papers with collaboration with the other create chaos. Social Learning
tables with their them to the table. It is kids and engaging in teamwork. theory is enhanced in this
team and start developmentally appropriate lesson by learning from
doing other and helps the kids belong in a experience with other
activities. group and stick together. classmates.

Students were Saw this in With the one-minute warning Kids learn to follow This is a great transition to use
given a one- Head Start’s given, students started instructions and stop what they in any activity because it gives
minute warning teacher cleaning themselves up and are doing when told to do so. the students a heads up on what
to clean up from training video. putting the toys away so they They learn responsibility to put they are going to do next. It
play time can go and stand in line to go the things they were using gives them time to clean up and
outside to go inside the classroom. They back, clean themselves up and be fully ready to move to the
inside. were able to manage their time go stand in line without anyone next activity. Cognitive
and when to stop so it was an instructing their every step. development is supported in
effective technique. They learn independence as this activity.
well.

Students stood Saw this in the After the teacher told them to Kids learn organization and I would use it because it is
up from the TPSD stand up, she whispered to being respectful of everyone’s effective in keeping the
carpet and tip kindergarten them to tip toe to the tables so space. They learn that doing classroom quiet and everything
toed to the classroom. they can go quietly without a things quietly gets things done going smoothly. It enhances
tables for the sound and chaos. It is effective better and faster. It encourages their social learning by the
next activity. and appropriate because it active, real-world learning. teacher being the model and the
helps the kids move from one students following what she
activity to the other without does and how their fellow peers
getting distracted or getting react too.
lost.

Kids moving Saw this in It is an effective technique It promotes organizing and I would use this technique of
without a sound Ms. Silver’s because it doesn’t create chaos teamwork. The students learn to putting kids into groups and
from the reading classroom. when you send one team at a respect the teacher’s directions have them move all together at
time carpet to time. Each team goes quietly and their classmates by moving once. It gives them the sense of
their tables with to their tables in an organized in their own group together and belonging and they learn how
their color team. manner and it makes a calm not disturbing the class. to work all together as a group
environment in the classroom. to be recognized.

Students put Saw this in the It is an effective technique Kids learn responsibility and I would use it because it teaches
their pencils TPSD because kids learn to put independence by making sure kids to be independent and do
down and kindergarten things back where they got their area is clean and the same what they need to do without
pushed their classroom. them from and make as it was when they first got the physical help of the teacher.
chairs back to everything look exactly like it there. They learn to interact It enhances the social learning
go back to the was by pushing their chairs with the teacher’s rules and theory because the kids observe
carpet. back. It is developmentally follow them so they can feel the actions of their fellow peers
appropriate because it engages included in the classroom. and the teachers and they
the kids with their follow what needs to be done.
environment by following
what they teacher says and to
keep their classroom clean and
hushed.

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.
In the first head start video we watched, I really enjoyed watching the kids play outside and how the teachers let
them get dirty to get the full outdoors experience. Nowadays, people don’t want their kids to get dirty because
it’s too much work to clean or they’re too scared because of germs and sickness. I think we should never stop
the kids from playing in the dirt and exploring the outdoors. In a way they build up their stamina and they get to
explore and build up their creativity. Like in the video, the kids looked so happy and they were having so much
fun just jumping in the dirt and playing with the sand. They learn to build things with the sand if they add water,
they learn to dig, and find new way to be creative. I enjoyed watching that video very much because I think
every child should experience that in preschool and kindergarten. I would like to know more about letting the
kids play in the background and if the parents get involved in if they want their kids to do that or not. Is the
teacher required to ask the parents permission to let the kids get dirty while playing in the playground or the
teacher gets to make the decisions by herself?

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.
In Ms. Silver’s classroom, I noticed there was a student that was always trying to talk or had their hands up.
However, the teacher noticed but chose to ignore them until she was done talking or just not answer them at
all. I do think at times it was effective that she did not acknowledge them until she was done talking because
the kids need to learn how to listen to the teacher without interruption. Nevertheless, the teacher should not
ignore the students when they have their hands up if you know their input is not going to be related to the
discussion. I think it makes the student feel unappreciated or unacknowledged and then the students learn to
not participate anymore and keep quiet. They start believing that no one wants to listen to what they have to
say and that is the opposite of how we want to teach the kids. I think the teacher should have acknowledged
their hand and ask them to hold on to their question or the input they wanted to add and to say it once the
teacher is done talking. That way the students understands that his question will be answered but they should
have patience for a little while and respect the teacher when she is talking so they can receive that respect
back when it is their turn to talk.

EDUCATION 110 OBSERVATION LOG #3

Your Name _Angelin Nasser___ Observation video: _kindergarten mathematics and TPSD kindergarten__
Grade/Age Level _______

Instruction (40 pts)

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

ex: small groups of 4-6

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

1.
Math decomposing small groups of two kids should be learning how to Informal: teacher walks around the groups
children, practice on decompose numbers and learn to and observes and helps when needed.
paper and cubes. see the big picture.

2.
Phonics first Whole class, five Kids should be learning how to read Informal: teacher observed the students after
children per table. letters in the alphabet and how to asking the questions.
Actual practice with sound it out.
cards. Teacher observing the students writing the
3. Students are learning how to sound, letter p and assisting when students need help
Spelling letter P Children writing the read, and write the letter P. on how to write it.
letter individually,
actual practice.

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 goes at the end of my Comprehension

sentence?
2.Give me a word that begins with the Remembering
letter P.
3.How many ways could you put the Application
cubes in the two sacks?

If you could change the way any of the

instructional activities were taught,
what would you change and why?

ex: teeth brushing and how it is ex: I would take notes at least 2 times a week when I observe each child with this
evaluated task until I see that an individual is consistently (2 weeks) brushing correctly.
 This way I have a record of what I saw, what I asked, how I corrected. etc.

Phonics lesson and how it was After teaching the kids how to sound out the letters, I would ask them
evaluated individually to sound it out and give a word that starts with that letter for a
couple of days. Once they have learned all the letters, I would give them an art
project where I give the letter and they would have to draw something that starts
with that letter. At the end of each class, I would ask a question if they can point
out something in class that starts with the certain letter.

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!
To be honest, I have always thought that being an elementary teacher is an easy job because all you do is
teach simple things for kids and have fun. I can see now that it is a far more difficult job, and it requires a lot of
work. However, I am now more intrigued to become a teacher than ever. From what I have learned this
semester, it showed me how rewarding working with kids is. I want to be someone that the kids look up to and
see as a person they could trust to help them grow in this world. I want to provide them with a safe and
nurturing environment so that they can grow to be unique individuals with passion for learning. I learned that it
is not always easy working with kids, that you will have to accommodate to kids from many different cultures
and children with disabilities. I want to become a teacher that is prepared for every situation and meet the needs
of all the children in my classroom. Now, I understand that some kids are going to be needing more help than
their peers and I would need to spend more time with these students to help them be on the same level as the
other students. After watching all these videos and learning about what it takes to be a teacher, it makes me want
to help kids more than ever. I want the kids to grow in an environment where they feel safe and loved.

Professionalism (10 pts) For all logs, your writing should be of college quality. 10=0-2 errors, 5=3-5 errors, 0=>5
errors