ASSIGNMENT 3 (Instruction): Observe any instructional time in your assigned classroom, and record

your observations when presented with the questions below:

Instruction Question 1: What is the posted daily schedule for different subjects or periods? >>>

There are two different classes throughout the day: morning and afternoon. Each class is around two
and a half hours long. Students are first collected outside in front of the school bus area and then they
are directed to the cafeteria where they pick up their meal. After walking together towards the
classroom, the students out down their stuff and have their meal. Then they will have circle time on the
rug in front of the classroom. Center time is next where they will go to different areas and learn to play
together. Then, it will be recess time and it will take place outside with different classes. When they get
back, it will be literacy and small group instruction. Finally is snack time and clean up. They will finish
on the rug where they will conclude the class and summarize the day and upcoming events.

Instruction Question 2: Is instruction done in small groups, centers, whole groups, individual? >>>

Since Covid has caused the class to be smaller than usual, this year contains fewer students. Instruction
is done in whole groups but there are centers and if needed individual instruction with the aide.

Instruction Question 3: How would you describe your cooperating teacher’s teaching style? >>>

The cooperating teacher's teaching style is very hands on and involves a lot of encouraging of speech
from the students. The teacher is very open, nice, understanding, forgiving, and includes a lot of class
togetherness.

Instruction Question 4: Does the teacher incorporate the sensory modalities (learning styles)? If so, give
examples. >>>

Yes, there is a lot of different sensory modalities. The content includes a lot of hands on material and
different kinds of lessons. For one class, the students were learning about weather and together as a
class made a "cloud". The cloud was made of jello, whipped cream, and candy. The students watched
and helped the teacher with stirring and answered questions the teacher had about the task.

Instruction Question 5: Do the students seem engaged in the lesson(s) that are being presented?
Please explain. >>>
 Yes, the students were mostly engaged throughout all lessons. The lessons are during a short period of
time and includes a change of scenery for different content. The instructions are not monotone and
different throughout the day.

Instruction Question 6: Are there any students isolated from the rest of the class for any reason? Why?
>>>

No, there are no students that have to be isolated because the class is divided by model students and
typical students. The typical students are to follow the model students' behavior and are usually divided
between with a typical and model student always by the other.

Instruction Question 7: Is instructional time managed efficiently? Please explain >>>

Yes, instructional time is always managed efficiently. The time and attention is never diverted off topic
and they are always on task with awareness of the time passed. Management is easier with a smaller
class.

Instruction Question 8: How does the cooperating teacher handle transitions from one subject or period
to another, and are these transitions efficient? >>>

The cooperating teacher uses different transitions between subjects. Sometimes they have a song made
up where the students and teachers will sing about the finishing content and moving onto another.
Usually, they will move to different areas of the classroom and sometimes the lights are turned off or
on in preparation for the next subject or event.

Instruction Question 9: List ways that the teacher attempts any “attention getting” commands? (Ex:
Countdown, Light flicker, Heads on Desk) How effective are they? >>>

Sometimes the cooperating teacher will say phrases like "listen" "mouths off" or "thumb up or down?"
The last one is usually used to collect the student's thoughts about the subject at hand while
simultaneously asking a question to the whole class.

Instruction Question 10: What specific behavior issues does the teacher have to deal with? How does
the teacher deal with these behavior issues? Be specific. >>>
 Because it is an ECSE self-contained classroom, the teacher has to deal with a variety of behavior from
the typical students which make up half of the class. There are sometimes attention issues which are
remedied by placing a typical student between model students. Also it is common for most to not speak
much, but they are always encouraged to speak out and asked questions.

Instruction Question 11: Are there any policies or procedures in place that help or hinder instructional
time? If so, explain them and how they help or hinder use of instructional time. >>>

A few kids have trouble sitting still so they would have to seat in a special chair that is placed on the
floor during rug time and it should stop the child from moving around. There is also specific seating
where the model students would be in between the typical students.