Field Observations

EDU 201

Field Observations
Ronisha Wesley
EDU 201
 Making Students Feel Safe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iydalwamBtg&t=95s

After watching this video, I learned and was reminded that in order for a child to be successful they have to see
and feel that school and staff can be a safe place for them. Their mental health will reflect on their performance
academically and behaviorally. They also pointed out a good point that I strongly agree with, not only are we
here for the students, but for us as adults too, making our work environment a comfortable place and knowing
that it is okay to ask for help from one another is important. Communication is not only key in a relationship
but in all aspects of life. Learning how to communicate with one another in order to model this behavior to
students is a must in order to positively plant confidence in them. It helped me realize that sometimes as
educators we can focus on academics and forget that maybe school is more than just school or a learning
environment for some students, it can be the only place where they get a meal, the only consistency or the only
family feel they have. Being aware of their mental health is and should be more important than just worrying
about their grades, because there is always a reason behind any action and behavior.

Question # 1. How would you describe the importance of creating a safe environment for students?
Question # 2. What would be the necessary tools that we as educators need in order to help us understand what
kind of trauma a student has gone through?
Question #3. What is one thing or idea you would get from this video that might help you in your classroom
as a coping mechanism to help a student like they are being understood?
 Making Self-Paced Learning Work for Younger Kids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MvQoDGvG10&t=7s

This video was full of amazing ideas to try and incorporate in a classroom especially now that we have taken a
shift in the teaching industry after the pandemic. Relying so much on technology has been part of the 2020 and
2021 school year because we were forced to go on distance education, meaning all online and from home. This
video had so many creative ideas. I also know that using this type of teaching style can be time consuming to
learn everything there is to it, and I am assuming it can be challenging introducing it to the students. In this
video it shows how great the 2nd graders work and learn, and I don’t like that it doesn’t show how much extra
time the teacher herself had to invest in order to get them to work through it. I totally agree with this teaching
style because we are seeing it more and more in the classrooms but I also know that it adds more work and
requires more time to invest.
Question # 1. What are your thoughts on Self Paced Learning?
Question # 2. Would Self Paced Learning be something you would use in you classroom?
Question # 3. Do you think this program would work for the student population you work with?
 60-Second Strategy: Ask 3 Before Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yxlO_k0zCs&t=61s
Even though this was a short clip, I was able to grasp important concepts to keep in mind as to why “ ask
3 before me” can make a difference in a student's life. Asking their peers or an extra tool to figure out a
problem before seeking help from the teacher ( obviously like the teacher states, depending on the
situation we enforce it). This strategy encourages students to learn social skills, get creative,
communication skills, become more secure about themselves and helps to teach them that it is okay to
not know something and seek help not only from an adult or teacher but from other peers and the teacher
role is to keep encouraging them to reach out to their peers. This strategy can come easy to some students
but somewhat challenging to others because they are either shy or lack confidence. It’s an easy and
friendly strategy that helps students grow. Reaching out to their peers is something that I agree with but I
disagree with it at the same time because it can be really embarrassing to the kid that is asking for help.

Question 1. How would you encourage student to see this strategy in a positive way and not in a
negative?
Question 2. How do you think students would benefit from this strategy.
Question 3. Do you think it will work in your classroom?
 Teaching Writing Through Landscape Painting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6sUsA6EPBc&t=10s
This video made me look back to my young years when I used to be in Elementary and Middle
School. Since I can remember the word “writing” had a negative connotation in my books. I was
always asked to write long boring sentences without any positive encouragement. This teacher
uses a positive and fun approach to expand the students imagination and knowledge. She gives
them confidence in how they can express themselves through a painting and putting them into
words and that can go along way. I agrees with her when she stated that she don’t correct the
students sentences because she wants to encourage their creativity. I disagree with giving each
student a different picture. He role is to let the students be as creative as they can.
Question 1. What other approaches can teachers use to help students with writing skills?
Question 2. Do you think all students will learn writing through landscape painting?
Question 3. Why is it important to introduce writing in a positive and imaginative way?
 Learning to Measure the Size of a Problem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MufiPWW_uwk&t=194s
In this video we learn the importance of incorporating social emotional lessons in a classroom. Talking about
how we react to problems will shape students behavior and prepare them to real life situations. Following
through with this practice at home can also have a positive impact on the student and the family. We don’t
have much mental health awareness and this is one way to do it. I think it’s a great lesson to incorporate for
any grade level. I love how she brought the families and included them in the lesson but I think the parents
and the students should be separated from the parents because it might make the kids open up and talk
more. The teacher role is to help the families understand the importance of a range of problems, they learn
to take charge of their reactions.
Question 1? Do you think parents will be okay with this type of lesson for their children?
Question 2? How often would you do this lesson?
Question 3? Would you say that it is imperative for students to learn how to react to certain
situations?
 Tap-in/Tap-Out: Giving Teachers Time to Recharge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPtsP7pBobI
I am glad I ran into this video because teachers also get overwhelmed. Being able to help each other and
having a good non-judgmental support group is extremely important for teachers to also have a small mental
break throughout the day. Even being able to count on somebody to come sit in your classroom so they can
take a bathroom break can go a long way. Teachers do so much more than just “academics” they serve as
therapists, social workers, friends, someone safe place and on top of that they have over 20 plus students and
grade papers. That is mentally draining. The teacher model that it is okay to ask for help and how to handle
herself under pressure. I like how you are able to text someone for help at anytime and any moment. During
this video I don’t like how she shut down in front of her students.
1. What other ways could we do to help teachers recharge?
2. How can teachers benefit from small mental breaks?
3. Do you think teachers should have less workload?
 Check-in/Check-out: Proving a Daily Support System Students

First whomever came up with the check-in/check out idea did a great job. I
definitely agree that every student needs support throughout the whole
school year and the fact that all of the teacher are taking their time out to
support this movement is wonderful. I see the that the teachers are keeping
the kids motivated by giving them positive feedback. I couldn’t find anything
that I disagreed with in this video.

1. What do you do when you are able to meet with your assign student?
2. If the teacher and the student are unable to form a bond, do you switch
them around and pair them with some else.
3. How often to you change the students goal throughout the week?
 Restorative Circles: creating a safe environment for
students to reflect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-RZYSTJAAo
From this video I learned that when it comes to older students we can be tough on them. We want
to teach them consequences without even giving them a chance to change their behavior. Now we
see more social emotional problems not being approached properly. Right away some teachers just
want to take it to the extremes. Providing this type of programs in schools and giving students
options and help to acknowledge their behavior without being judged can make a huge difference in
their academic performance. The teacher was so laid back that she made it easier for the students
to open up. And I like they meet in small groups but I the student feel like a lot of teachers don’t
listen to the students when they are having a problem.
1.Should every school have restorative circles?
2.What kind of projects should school offer in order to feel students safe?
3.Do you think staff would also benefit from this type of projects?
 How to Keep Your Elementary Students Focused

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LgOo3r-9Y&t=92s
This video focused on how we can keep the little ones focused and engaged
in class. Great tips to help them stay engaged and help their academic
performance. We have to remember that their little bodies carry great minds
but they are also children that tend to get distracted. We have to be mindful
and not make them feel like they are doing something wrong if we lose their
attention. Keeping them on task is important and doing it with this 5 positive
tips can go along way. I personally don’t agree with keeping the walls 20%-
50% clear.
1.Whys is it important to help young students stay focus?
2.What are other ways we can keep students engaged?
3.Would you use this tips in your classroom?
 Sensory Room: Helping Students With Autism Focus and
Learn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zULwQUQDMuM&t=16s

This video is probably one of my favorites only because I work in a autism

classroom and it gave me a better insight on how to work with my students.
The sensory room being separated from the classroom is really important
because you have more space to full the room with sensory items and
stations that would fit everyone personal needs. I like the teacher use herself
as a model for the kids when they are doing yoga and working on their
breathing.

1. How do you get a sensory room put into the school?

2. How do you handle a student when they don’t want to leave the sensory
room?
3. Should the students go to the sensory room before or after they make it
to the classroom?