I.

Observation 6:
Social Studies

II.

Grade:
Pre-K

III.

Students:
17 boys, 12 girls

IV.

Setting:
Mrs. Conniffs Pre-K Class at St. Matthias Catholic School
Multi-age (4-5 years old ) classroom, 29 students, 1 head teacher, 2 teachers aides.

V.

Pre-Observation:
The purpose of this observation was to see what knowledge children are learning about
history and if they are understand the concepts. I have been able to see many history
lessons at work, Stellar Academy, and also at Sunnymead Elementary School when I
student taught there as well. History is a very interesting subject because certain times it
does repeat itself and it is good to have the knowledge of what brings us to today.

VI.

Data:
This observation has a lot of information throughout this lesson. Many activities related
to history were done and also many books were read. The teacher felt the best time to
observe for this observation would be towards the end of November since the holiday
Thanksgiving comes up. Within these couple of weeks, the children learned about the
Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrims as well. They learned what Thanksgiving is and
made turkeys, indian corn, wrote what they are grateful for on feathers, had a
thanksgiving feast and watched movies related to the topic as well. I feel that it is
important to show the children and let them feel that they are experiencing what went on
in history instead of just talking about it. Being able to visualize indian corn or eating the
food that the pilgrims ate at the time helps children understand what occurred back then.
A packet that was handed out to the children was about the lives of the Wampanoag
compared to the Pilgrims (Appendix 1). They explained how children would scare birds
away from watchtowers, how women sowed moccasins for feet and also how they
transported and around in boats called mishoon (Appendix 2). Pilgrim children played
games like bowling with nine pins. To cook or heat up food, ovens that were made
outside, would be used and for milk, goats would be taken care of by adults and children
(Appendix 3). On www.scholastic.com/lflo., a video was shown to the children to
actually visualize what they were reading and seeing in the packet (Appendix 7).
Majority of the students were intrigued by the information and easily finished the
packets. On the back of the packet, it talked about A Harvest Feast, which the children
related to their own feast at the school (Appendix 4). For the day that I substituted, I was
able to read the book, One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims to the children,

which they enjoyed a lot (Appendix 5). I had them counting aloud and reading with me.
Before the book, the children were able to create hand turkeys and write what they are
thankful for in the middle (Appendix 6).
VII.

Analysis:
I really enjoyed being able to learn about the Social Studies lesson and was grateful to be
able to help participate and engage with the children and the activities. I feel that my
confidence in teaching and my ability to be firm, yet comforting with the students has
built a lot. I feel that the teachers did an amazing job explaining this part of history to the
children. Each child was able to share something new they learned from the lessons,
books, and activities.

VIII. Recommendations:
I recommend to better enhance the understanding of social studies in the classroom, the
children could put on a play in the class or have a puppet show, which they help create
the puppets. Children could also create costumes like feathered bands or moccasins or
teepees to help understand how the Native Americans lived. This would be exciting for
the children and they would be learning while having fun. In the article, How Can
Childrens Imaginative Play Develop Character? written by Thalia Goldstein, she states,
Imaginative play allows children to experience multiple roles in multiple contexts
( Goldstein). This quote helps us understand that children are able to imagine that they
are other people in other worlds and times and attain knowledge through those scenarios.
These techniques would help ensure children to better grasp and attain knowledge.
IX.

Post Observation:
This observation was a very enthusiastic one for me since I enjoy learning about history.
The children were able to create and learn many new things throughout the lessons and
enjoyed telling me what they did on Thanksgiving that we talked about during the lesson
I taught them. It made me smile knowing that they actually remember and care to share
those memories.

X.

Citations:
Thalia Goldstein Morality Philosophy March 17. "How Can Children's Imaginative Play
Develop Character?" BQO. N.p., 17 Mar. 2015. Web. 05 Dec. 2016.

XI.

Appendixes:
Appendix 1.

Appendix 2.

Appendix 3.

Appendix 4.

Appendix 5.

Appendix 6.

Appendix 7.

Appendix 8.