Child Observations

Name: Laura Byler

I completed a get-to-know you activity. During this activity the students were able to tell me things that
they enjoy and like. They were each given a puzzle piece and given 10 minutes to write or draw things
that they wanted me to know about them. This was done with the entire class. While completing this
activity I learned that Brynlee likes rainbows, prefers drawing over writing, and likes to draw smiley
faces. From the activity I learned that Tyler likes his PS5 and prefers to draw over write.

CHILD Day of the WEEK Content: Strengths and/or Additional Thoughts:

with DATE Weaknesses (i.e.: observed learning style,
(chose 1 or 2 days per Name the content area and state S/E). You may now add some
week to ensure only what you observed (hear and personal interpretation here.
observation of each see)
content
Tyler: Monday January 29, LA: short i words After discussing these
Behavior IEP 2024 Strengths observations with my mentor
In this content area, the student teacher, she said that this
appears to be trying to get better. student is currently being
I saw him segmenting the sounds evaluated for Dyslexia. This
in the words. He also shut down could explain his weaknesses in
less frequently. I also noticed that segmenting and isolating
he was able to answer most (2/3) sounds. Also, during this
of the questions related to the observation I noticed that he
decodable text. feeds off attention. If someone
Weaknesses else is getting attention, he
Even though the student could does something to get a
segment the sounds accurately, reaction.
he was not able to blend them
back together. He was also not
able to isolate sounds in the
word. During this content area, it
was evident that this student
lacks self-control. He would
answer others questions and blurt
out sounds and words when it
was not appropriate.

Monday January 29, Math: Showing numbers in
2024 multiple forms
Strengths
This student is incredibly curious.
When the interventionist would
be talking to them about various
meanings of words, the student
In this content area the student
seems to struggle the most. He
seems like he is a hands-on
learner and wants to be able to
move things around. While I
was reading him his math test, I
feel like he would have been
 would ask question wanting to able to do better on the test if
know more. he had been given the chance
Weaknesses to use manipulative instead of
He is incredibly talkative. Since he using pictures for everything.
talks so much, he often does not
realize when it is not his turn to
speak. This student tends to give
up easily and use the phrase “I
don’t know” when he does not
want to complete an assignment
or activity. When this happens, he
shuts down.

Brynlee Wednesday January LA: During the reading test this

31,2024 and Friday Strengths week, the classroom aide
February 2,2024 She keeps attention on what the pulled her individually to
teacher is talking about. She also complete the assignment.
attempts to participate with
everything. These things happen I wonder if she would not
even if she is clueless on what is benefit from a tutor, more one-
happening. Another strength in on-one time or even a 504
language arts is spelling. On this plan/ IEP.
week’s spelling test, she received
a 100%.
Weaknesses
One weakness that is
demonstrated is a lack of
phonological and phonemic
awareness. During whole group
time, she was not able to identify
or use the sounds to answer the
questions. Another weakness is
that she struggles with
understanding what is being
taught. She tries to complete
independent activities after direct
instructions but was unable to
complete it with accuracy.
Math: For math, I am wondering if she
Strengths is more of a kinesthetic learner
During math she shows attention and would benefit from more
and tries to complete the work. hands on instruction and less
This is a major strength because rote memorization. I also
she is getting the information but wonder if she would not
not comprehending it. Another benefit from a tutor or more
strength is that she completes her one-on-one time. She seems to
homework. This allows her to get do better with math but it is
 extra practice. still a struggle.
Weaknesses
One weakness is that she does
not do well in the class. She does
not quite understand the material
and receives Tier 2 intervention
during there intervention time.
Tyler Monday February 5, Math: Making 10 I was so proud of him for being
2024 Strengths able to stay on task more than
While completing his math test, he did last week. I believe that
Tyler was able to answer most of his learning style is a
the questions on his own. There combination kinesthetic and
was only three questions that auditory. I think this because
required further prompting. he did better when he was able
Another strength was that he was to use manipulatives and listen
able to complete the making 10 to what the directions were.
practice sheet on his own. This
included minimal reminders to
stay on task. A third strength
unrelated to math, was that he
did not give up or say “I don’t
know” at any point in time.

Weaknesses
One weakness during math time
was that he had trouble sorting
numbers into greater than a set
number and less than a set
number. For example, less than
59 and greater than 59. Another
weakness was that he was not
able to continue onto the next
practice sheet.
LA: Short O Monday was an off day for all
Strengths of the students in the room.
One strength was that Tyler was They spent a lot more time
able to segment sounds into goofing around. He also had
individual words. Another trouble self-regulating. There
strength was that he tried to was a sub in the room that day
blend the word together. so that was contributing factor.
Weaknesses
One weakness was that he
reversed the letters, and thus the
sounds, h, b, d, and p. This led to
various confusions. Another
weakness was that he was unable
to read a complete sentence on
 his own. The letter reversals
contributed heavily to this. A third
weakness was that when asked to
point to the title of the decodable
text, he could not find it.
Brynlee Wednesday February 7, LA Today I noticed that the
2024 Strengths student struggles with reading
One strength that I saw today was longer words. While she is able
that Bryn volunteered several to read CVC words the student
times to answer questions. This often does not read her high
was the first time that I saw her frequency words. A possible
openly volunteer to answer. differentiation that I would
Another strength was that she need is to read the directions
whole-heartedly participated with aloud and use images to
the spelling practice. At the end of represent exactly what I want
the week’s spelling test, she from this student.
received a 90% so her
participating in the spelling, most
likely throughout the week, made
an impact. A third strength was
that she was able to blend sounds
together to make various CVC
words. She was also able to say
whether these words were real or
nonsense.

Weaknesses
One weakness that I noticed this
week was that she did not
participate during the phonics/
phonological awareness time. She
did not even try. This showed
during her reading test because
she did not get either question
relating to phonological
awareness correct. Another
weakness was that she struggled
to follow along with the passage
that the class was reading from
their books. She was not on the
right page as the others. While
this was happening, she also had
a blank look on her face. She also
did not read- aloud or use her
whisper phone.
Math: Adding tens A possible differentiation that
Strengths could be helpful for this
 One strength was that she was student is to give the student a
very attentive during the math physical manipulative like tens
lesson. She was also able to and ones blocks to help her
complete the practice problems visualize the answers.
on her own. She also volunteered
to come to the board to answer
problems.

Weaknesses
One weakness was that she did
not complete her math
homework. This would have been
valuable practice for her. Another
weakness was that she was
unable to answer any problems
where it was adding ten to a
number when given a hundred
chart. Instead of ten she would
either add or subtract 2.
Tyler Wednesday February Tyler was absent today as well as
14, 2024 Monday. No observations took
place.
Brynlee Wednesday February LA: This student seemed to have
21,2024 Strengths regressed a little bit from the
The student worked ahead of the previous week in certain
class while they were practicing aspects. One of these aspects
finding long o words. The student was putting words in
also was able to read her heart alphabetical order. The student
words for the week. She also was able to at least put some
participated during group reading of the words into the correct
time. order this week she could not
Weaknesses put any in the correct order.
The student was unable to put all
5 heart words in abc order. The
student also struggled to
participate during phonics and
independent reading time.

Math:
Strengths
The student was able to answer
various addition problems to 10
when using math manipulatives.
She also found her own method
of getting the correct answer.
Instead of draw a line to
represent a ten, she draws 10
 squares.
Weaknesses
The student still struggles with
subtraction even with
manipulatives. The student also
struggles to keep up with the rest
of the class when completing their
workbook together.
Tyler Monday February 19, Tyler was absent today. No
2024 observations took place.
Brynlee Wednesday February LA With each observation it is
21, 2024 Strengths becoming increasingly clear
The student wrote a good quality that Brynlee is social and if an
first grade level sentence. She was activity does not involve any
also able to identify the number type of social activity like
of sounds in a word 8 out of 10 talking with peers, however she
times. She was able to identify does not participate in all
key details from a text. talking activities.
Weaknesses
She did not participate in
phonemic awareness time. She
also struggled with spelling words
when prompted to spell them she
struggled.

Math

Strengths
This day was a struggle for her, so
she needed extra support from
the classroom aide. This took
place one-on-one.
Weaknesses
She did not volunteer to do a
think-aloud with the teacher. She
was unable to do any practice
problems on her own.
Max Monday February 26, Math Many of these weaknesses
2024 Topic: Adding to 10 have to do with his behavior.
Strengths: However, this student benefits
He did well when he was able to from working in the small
use a number line. He also group setting. Tyler was absent
answered most of the problems again, so I switched to Max.
with assistance. Max is on the spectrum. He
Weaknesses: performs well academically; he
He did not like using the number struggles to regulate his
line. He also got frustrated when emotions and his actions.
 he was prompted to do more
questions than he wanted to.

LA
Topic: Digraphs /sh/ and /wh/
Strengths:
He flew through the /sh/ practice.
He is was also able to read 80% of
the words aloud.
Weaknesses:
He could benefit from a challenge
(a weakness on the teacher not
the student). He also started to
get frustrated when asked to
complete the same practice
with /wh/. He only wanted to
complete 5 pages when there
were 10 (5 /sh/ 5 /wh/).

Brynlee Wednesday February Math: The student does not usually

28, 2024 Strengths do well on tests. However,
Today there was a math test. The today, the student completed
student actively participated her test in a small group with
while the teacher read the test the aide, Mrs. Durr.
aloud to the class. The student
was practicing using the
manipulatives used during the
test while she was waiting for the
aide to come and get her.

Weaknesses
The student did not perform well
on the math test. She missed 6
out of 20 problems. This resulted
in a 70% or U. The student had a
blank look on her face during the
review.

LA
Strengths
Today, the student showed
growth. She volunteered to
answer questions. When she was
called on she was able to answer
the question successfully. She also
demonstrated excellent
 handwriting when asked to write
a complete sentence about the
text that was read about during
class.
Weaknesses
The student still did not
participate during phonics time.
She also was only able to read half
of a sentence aloud. This sentence
contained all high frequency
words.
Max Monday March 4, 2024 Math: Counting (finding the Today was very simple for him.
missing number) This was also a review day
Strengths before moving on to a more
The student was able to complete complex topic. The aide in the
the work independently. The classroom has also started
student was able to skip count by working on skip counting with
1s, 2s, and 5s. these students during calendar
Weaknesses time. His behaviors were better
None today. He still did his own thing
like writing capital letters in the
LA: CVC Missing Letters middle of words after repeated
Strengths reminders. He also did a lot less
The student was able to correctly stimming today.
write the letters with minimal
assistance. The student was also
able to read all the words on the
page independently. He read
these words silently and aloud.
Weaknesses
The student wrote capital letters
in the middle of words. The
student also took a lot of time (30
minutes) to complete the
worksheet. There were only 10
blanks and these were words the
student had seen before.
Brynlee Friday March 8, 2024 Math: Review/test The student took the reading
Strengths test in a small group with the
The student was able to measure aide, Mrs.Durr.
objects using indirect measures.
The student was also volunteered
to answer questions during the
review. She was also able to get
the answer correct when called
on.
Weaknesses
 The student struggled to tell time
to the half-hour. She also received
a 70% or U on the test.

LA: Assessment day

Strengths
The student was able to get 100%
on the spelling review. The review
game was sparkle. She
participated fully with this review
and knew exactly what came next
in the word.

Weaknesses
The student struggled to read the
comprehension passage on her
own. The student also struggled
with keeping her writing in
between the lines.
Max Monday March 18, Math: Tally Marks Today his behaviors were
2024 Strengths great! While he did shut down
The student was able to count once that was a big
objects from an image up to 10 improvement from days past.
independently. The student also While it is not noted here, I do
did not shut down and was even notice a difference in the
excited when he was able to student’s behavior between
complete the practice. Monday and Tuesday. The
Weaknesses student has visitation with his
The student struggled to cross the biological family on Tuesday so
fifth tally mark. The student that leads to increased
needed several reminders to do behaviors sometimes.
this. The student also struggled to
track the data he had from one
part of the paper to the other.

LA: Magic -e
Strengths
The student was able to read CVC
words. The student was also able
to read words with the magic -e
after practice and explicit
instruction.

Weaknesses
The student struggled to name
any vowels correctly. The student
 was also shut down after being
told that he was not naming
vowels. After a bit of joking
around the student was back to
his normal self.
Brynlee Wednesday March 20, Math: Bar Graphs The student’s learning seems
2024 Strengths to be impeded by her social
The student was able to follow nature. Something that I can do
along with the math workbook. is have opportunities for her to
This was progress from a few talk to her peers and then
weeks ago. The student also regroup to see if that helps get
turned in her math homework. her back on track and better
This showed during instructional focused.
time.
Weaknesses
The student could not answer a
question even when prompted
with the question “what does
‘and’ say we need to do?” The
student also struggled on her
morning work relating to material
from the previous day. She only
got 3 out of 7 correct.

LA: or, ore, oar

Strengths
The student was able to correctly
sort words contain this vowel
combination. This was completed
independently. The student was
also able to read words with 80%
accuracy. The reading was done
orally. She also had good
handwriting.
Weaknesses
The student struggled to write a
good first grade sentence. The
student wrote the sentences “I
am born.” And “I am sure.” The
student completed this quickly so
that she could return to
socializing with peers.
Max Monday March 25, Math: adding to 10 These things are an
2024 Strengths improvement since January.
The student was able use the The only behaviors noted
manipulative they had previously during this day was that the
made to complete the worksheet student tapped his pencil
 with minimal assistance. Another several times and was playing
strength was that the student was with the blades of his scissors.
able to cut out the numbers The teacher eventually took
needed to complete the away the scissors and taught
worksheet independently. him how to carry them
Weaknesses properly.
This concept was easy for the
student to complete. Therefore,
he was able to complete it on his
own and no weaknesses with this
concept were spotted.
LA: Magic -e
Strengths
One strength was that the student
was able to immediately say what
happened to the vowel when the
-e was added. He was also able to
identify the images that
corresponded with a word and
knew the sounds of most of the
letters needed to complete the
work.
Weaknesses
One weakness was that he
struggled to know which vowel
was a long and short. He needed
repeated instruction for him to
get this. He would circle the word
cate when the picture showed a
cat.
Bryn Wednesday March 27, Math: Sides and vertices/ I was excited when the student
2024 combining two dimensional got all the questions right on
shapes. her morning work. It was also
Strengths great to see the student get
The student received 100% on her excited about doing their math
morning work. This has not work. When it came to LA it
happened in a while. The student was surprising, in a good way,
also had an excellent to see her participate in
understanding on the sides and phonological awareness. This
vertices concept. In fact, they showed later when she read
worked ahead of the class in the the instruction on the paper
workbook. during grammar time. One
Weaknesses differentiation that I will need
The student struggled with the to think about is not using
concept of combining shapes. She matching worksheets. Instead
could not understand how each doing a sort or have the
shape fit together to create a student cut and paste. She also
different shape. For example, 3 enjoys doing these activities
triangles create a trapezoid. despite she is slower than her
Another weakness during this peers.
time was that the student
struggled to draw the shapes in
her workbook. This led to more
confusion.
LA: Phonics time
Strengths
One strength that was noticed as
that the student participated in
the phonological awareness
practice. This is the first time this
has been observed. The student
also tried to participate during the
word fluency part. She also got
4/6 words correct on the high
frequency word practice.
Weaknesses
One weakness that was observed
was that the student did not quite
understand how to complete the
matching section of the high
frequency words practice. They
were able to circle the words and
the pictures but struggled to
match the two together.