Step #1

This week at Clay middle I only observed in all my classes. Many times, I feel
unconfutable in these classrooms and don’t want to distract the students from the work at
hand. In all three of the classrooms, they were either in free period work time, or listening to
the teacher teach a lesson. In these situations, it is very hard to be hands on but also gave me a
great opportunity to observe. While observing, you notice certain things teachers do and ways
that they teach specific students. I feel this is a great tool to have and leaving this by watching
teachers firsthand.
This week my feelings were a little disappointed but curios. I was disappointed because I
didn’t get any one-on-one time with a student at all today but learned a lot by watching
teachers’ tactics and lessons. My first thought when walking into all three classrooms was, I felt
awkward and out of place. I didn’t want to distract the students by asking them questions or
being in the way, but felt them all stop their work to look as soon as all of us walked in.
One thing that went well this trip was time to observe and see how three different
teachers operate a classroom full of students. What didn’t go so well was not getting any time
to talk to a student and ask any questions. Lots of this was my own fault from my personal
discomfort. Next time I would like to at least go up to one student and ask them questions
without being scared of the environment. The next time I want to continue to ask the teachers
questions about their experiences in schools and different grade levels.

Step #2
One personal connection I made through this week’s visit was with the students. Specifically in
the study hall room all students were focused on their work or asking questions. This was
something I could relate to when I would have study halls. I knew that as a time to focused and
get as much work done as possible, because then you would have less work when you get
home. This was also a very vital time to ask questions which drives the students to get their
work done even more.

Step #3
HLP #20 is used in all the classrooms at Clay Middle. There are students in every classroom that
I have went to learning at a different level and usual a specific lesson. This is something that
helps each student stay on track with their classmates.

I saw HLP #11 being used in the study hall classroom. The teacher that was facilitating this
classroom had an idea about all the students work and what they needed to be doing. He told
us as soon as we walked in how each student has different goals with certain assignats on
where they want to be at the end of the class.

I saw HLP# 15 being used in the 6th grade social study’s classroom. In this classroom the
students were given step by step instruction on what will be happening next week, where to
find certain homework, and use of graphic organizers. This teacher showed how using
scaffolding you can help organize your students and keep them on track. She used scaffolding
earlier in the year so that now the students are ready for what’s to come.
I saw HLP #16 being used in the 6th grade history classroom. This goes hand and hand with
HLP#15 and by the teacher giving very explicit instruction to the students. She directed the
students on where to find everything, what order to do assignments in, and so on.

I saw HLP #7 being used in the 6th grade math classroom specifically with the student who
needed extra support. This student’s personal teacher that helped them with their work used a
lot of examples and modeling to help the student. She would even do a lot of the work on her
own first to make sure she understood to help the student.

Step #4

 Do you see any assistive tech with any of the students?

The first classroom I went to be a 6th grade math class. Math can be a subject that is very hard
for certain students, so I really wanted to observe the changes for associability in this classroom.
The teacher was very good with working with all the students at one time. She was teaching the
lesson to the whole classroom. One specific student had an assistive teacher working next to
her and helping her with the lesson. I noticed this really helped the students stay with her
classmates and continue at the same learning level.

 Do kids like being in the classroom?

The last classroom I observed was a 6th grade social studies room. The first thing I noticed when
walking in was that the students were working independently. The classroom was very loud, and
it didn’t seem like the students were focused on their work. Through the class I noticed three
girls in the back of the room not working but only talking to one another. Every classroom
environment is different, but I would say this specific one is freer. These students seemed
comfortable to be not focused on work and there for social time. From my observations students
liked being in this classroom.

 Describe the room arrangement of the classroom.

My second classroom was a 6th grade social studies room. In this classroom the desk was set up
in pods with about 5-6 students each. These were spaced out around the room to where each
pod felt private. The lights were fully on in this room with an air defuse. Finally, the walls were
filled with lots of Indiana sport posters and flags. This was defiantly something the teacher felt
passionately about and a way I noticed she connected with her students.