Field Observation Activities

Taylor Shirley
College of Southern Nevada
EDU 201, Intro to Elementary Education
Professor- Steven Saladino
CCSD School- Joesph Neal Elementary
Cooperating Teacher- Ms. Jackson (2nd Grade)

Assignment 1: Observations
1.The classroom is warm, inviting, and very colorful. The class is very organized and structured. There
are helpful tools and posters on the walls. The teacher is very good at redirecting the children to stay on
track.
2. Gender- the classroom consists of 10 boys and 10 girls.
Ethnicity- 4 Hispanic males, 4 Caucasian males, 2 Asian Males, 2 Caucasian Females, 2 African
American females, 2 Asian females, and 4 Hispanic Females
No apparent ELL students, No apparent physical challenges
3. Class Rules
1. Wait your turn before speaking
2. Follow the directions the first time given
3. Keep all body parts and objects to yourself.
4. Stay on task during all work times.
5. Use words and actions that are kind and honest.
4. The teacher enforces these posted rules. There are consequences for not following directions. If they
are off task, the children will lose points. She points out the children who are working well which
incorporates positive reinforcement to reward good behavior.

Assignment 2: Classroom Layout

Drawing
1. The classroom workflow is very organized and structured. The space is full but it is used efficiently.
The tables are grouped and angled so that all the children can comfortably look at the overhead board.
The tables are also spaced far enough apart for the teacher and the students to walk between them safely.
2. Given the size of the room, the physical arrangements of the room cannot be improved. The desks are
set up in a way that is efficient for the teacher and her students.

Assignment 3: Instruction
1. Miss Jackson has a posted daily schedule for different subjects and periods. The schedule is
displayed on the whiteboard.
Here is an example of the class’s daily instruction/lesson plan:
Reading: How to identify theme so I can understand what I in read and I will know I've learned it when I
can independently identify the theme in the text.

Math: I am learning how to use strategies to subtract 2 Digit numbers so I can understand what ways
work best for me. I will know I've learned it when I can use more than one strategy to subtract 2 digit
numbers correctly.

Writing: I am learning how to write to inform so I can communicate my ideas and facts in different ways.
I will know I have learned that when I can write informatively on a topic.
2. Instruction is given in a group setting and as a class. The teacher often calls on specific students to
answer questions.

3. I would describe Ms. Jackson's teaching style as student centered. She encourages the students to work
together to share their thoughts and ideas as groups while still maintaining authority.
4. Miss Jackson incorporates sensory modalities by allowing students to answer questions using different
methods. She allows children to use the laptops and MacBook’s to read, and white boards to practice
writing. Students can learn more about the lesson through short videos and pictures on the overhead
board.
5. The students all seem engaged in the lessons. The teacher often asks questions to keep the students
engaged. She will occasionally call on students randomly to answer questions associated to the lesson.

6. There is no student isolated from the rest of the classroom. Isolation would only occur temporarily if a
student is choosing not to follow directions multiple times. The child then will be isolated from the rest of
the class.
7. The teacher manages instruction time efficiently by using a timer on her phone. This keeps her on a
schedule that allows her to teach all the daily material.

8. Miss Jackson gives proper instruction and preparation materials needed to transition from one subject
to another. These instructions keep the children organized and on track. She counts down when
transitioning between lessons.

9. Ms. Jackson will often say, “eyes on me”, and the children will have to freeze and listen to her. These
attention getting commands are extremely effective and work almost every time. If a student doesn't
immediately follow these commands, they will lose points. Points can be converted into classroom
money.

10. If a student is acting out and disrupting the class, Ms. Jackson will address them by name and tell
them what they are doing wrong. She will then ask the student what they can do to improve their
behavior. If they do not know what they did wrong, she will ask the class. If a child says something
inappropriate, she will address the issue. The teacher often must deal with the class speaking out. To
correct this behavior the teacher puts her palm up or says, "eyes on me”. If a kid has an issue with another
student, she can speak to the kids separately.
11. To help instructional time is Jackson uses her phone as a stopwatch to keep class instruction on track.

Assignment 4: Culture
Physical Characteristics
1. The building is made from brick and the surrounding environment is clean. The trees are trimmed, and
the landscape looks kept. The fencing around the playground area looks untarnished.
2. There is carpet in classrooms and in halls. Tile was used in sections where kids distribute into rooms.
There are mottos and words of encouragement on the walls. Many student projects are covering the walls.
The windows are all open and the halls are colorful and decorated. There are 2 doors that are locked to
enter the school. When you get through the front door, in order to get into the office you must use ring
system. The doors will open from there and you scan your ID to become a visitor. This schools security
system effectively will keep children and teachers safe.
Culture of School
1.
Mission Statement- The Joseph Neal STEAM Academy seeks to provide an enriching learning
environment where students are immersed in an inquiry-based, authentic STEAM curriculum that
challenges their 21st century critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We provide each student at
Joseph Neal STEAM Academy with interdisciplinary opportunities in science, technology, engineering,
the arts, and mathematics. With the support of our families, community experts, and cultural institutions,
Joseph Neal will foster a safe and secure atmosphere that embraces curiosity, ingenuity, responsibility,
and endurance.
Motto- Good, better, best, never let it rest, till the good gets better and the better gets best.
Mascot- Mustang
2. All staff and faculty encounters are friendly and appropriate. Everyone seems to have a love for
children.
3.The school uses both inclusion and pull-out programs for special education students. Every student has
a unique method that works best for them.
4. The students stay quiet and walk in a line when in the halls. Students seem upbeat and excited during
recess. Most of the students like to play kickball in the grass.
5. The school has dance club, tech club, piano club, chess club, and many more. The school even has a
football team.
Culture of Classroom
1. For students to learn and succeed, the teacher needs the students to follow directions, pay
attention, and participate. Ms. Jackson is constantly interacting with her students. She asks
questions and makes sure the whole class understands the material. If Students choose not to
participate, they will lose accumulated points.
2. There are a few students who actively raise their hand and are the first to answer questions. She
often makes students raise their hands to hear other students’ inputs. She will call on students
randomly to make sure she includes every student.
3. The teacher is strict and cohesive. She changes her tone of voice when the class is not following
directions. The teacher has all the power which is great for keeping the class respectful and in
line. She must reinforce behavior as soon as it occurs.

Assignment 5: Interview with Ms. Jackson

Interview Question 1: What was the primary reason you became a teacher? >>>” Because I love kids.
That is like my passion. Helping Kids.”
Interview Question 2: What are the main challenges you face as a teacher? >>>” The main challenges are
time because they increased our workload and gave us more to do. It seems like every year there is always
something more that is added to our plates that we don’t get more time to do. So, that is probably the
biggest challenge. And there is a shift in behavior, and we are having to parent and teach manners.
Something that I didn’t use to have to do.”
Interview Question 3: What is the best part of being a teacher? >>> “Just that watching them learn. They
make that connection to something, and that that lightbulb turns on. That’s the best part.”
Interview Question 4: How do you determine where students sit in class? >>> “I group them. I use
Kagan, and so with Kagan you level your kids. So, I have 4 groups. So, I divide them into 4 parts. Then, I
will take the top of the first group, top of the second group, so that they are more able to work together.
So, it isn’t like all my low kids are in this group all my high kids are in this group.
Interview Question 5: How do you determine the members of any flexible groups? >>> “I look at what
skills they need to do, I look at my data of assessments that we’ve done. So right now, I have a group of
students that are working on analyzing characters, because they just did not get that skill. Before I had a
group that worked on main idea. I have a group that is working on phonics. I have a group that is doing a
novel study. This group knows how to read and is reading to learn. So that group I wouldn’t change as
much, but my phonic group has changed where those kids have bumped up to comprehensive skills. I
have 4 groups going and I just kind of look at where they are at at different points and change them out
that way.”
Interview Question 6: Beyond standardized testing, what assessments do you use regularly? >>> “What
we use, we modify. We use the assessments that go with the programs and just modify them a little more,
so it is not just multiple choice. We are looking at short answer. I also just do formative assessment with
just questions. Like thumbs, up Thumbs down. Which gives me an idea of who gets it.”
Interview Question 7: What requirements are placed on you for reporting progress to parents? >>> “Well
we put grades in infinite campus. Grades are updated weekly. So, they can check it if they want to. A
progress report is sent out every about three weeks. If students are struggling on a subject, I will contact
parents to let them know what they need to practice.”
Interview Question 8: How often do you interact with a student’s parents in person, and what type of
discussions do you typically have? >>> It depends. Sometimes I can talk to 3 a day. Sometimes I wont
even talk to any for weeks. If I need to talk about behavior or if a child is doing well, I will message
parents on class dojo. Frequently I have conversations in person when their child is being picked up. I do
have an issue I have had parents come in and conference. And then we have conferences with assessments
too where they come in and I tell them their strengths and weaknesses so they can help them at home.
That is typically once a year.”
Interview Question 9: How much grading do you complete on a daily/weekly basis? >>> I grade every
week. It depends. It usually takes me 2-3 hrs. a week.”
Interview Question 10: How long does it take to prepare lessons for the day/week? >>> “It usually takes
me awhile because I do a PowerPoint that goes with it. So, I have that set up. I like to have a visual for the
kids. I have to look at the lesson in the morning. Especially since both programs are new to me. So, I
spend a lot of the time lesson planning and circling back.”
Interview Question 11: What procedures or strategies do you use to maximize instructional time? >>> “I
use “eyes on me” or “eyes on the screen”, depending on where I want them looking. I walk around a lot
so I can get the kids on task. I will tell them what they need to have out. And then I give them a point, and
they can hear the noise that they lost a point.”
Interview Question 12: What positive reinforcement programs have you had success with, and what
behavioral consequences seem most effective with this age group? >>> “I use class dojo. I’ve been using
it for a long time. I really like it because the kids, even the noises they know. A lot of them know they are
going to get class money from it. Kids can go online or ask the teacher to see how many points they have
earned. We can also change our class rules depending on what they want to add to them. The kids like
having their money and being able to buy things. Consequence wise, usually talking to them is enough.
One of them, his behavior has been challenging, so I have talked to the parent. I will tell the parent if their
child has improved in front of the child so that it is more motivating to them.”
Interview Question 13: “How are specialist teachers involved in the instructional planning process? >>>
Ours aren’t as much. We are trying to get them more, especially with our project-based learning projects
that we are doing. To get them more involved with it now. They have not been in the past.”
Interview Question 14: “How often are you evaluated, and what measurement tool is used by the
administration for determining your teaching performance? >>> They use the NEPF. And they are
looking at, since I was new everyone came into observe my style. The assistant principal and the principal
have been in to make sure I’m hitting all those standards with the kids. Then after an observation we will
do a post observation conference and they will tell me anything they saw. So far, they haven’t said
anything thankfully.”
Interview Question 15: What consequences are there if your evaluation is not favorable? >>> “I have not
been in that situation, but they would provide support. They would have the learning strategist come in
and work with me and help me out. Is what should happen. We used to have coaches but now those
coaches are in the classroom. Then they would continue to observe me. We are not perfect but even I set
goals for myself on things I want to do better with. Then you would probably end up with a one or a two,
which I would be crushed.”
Interview Question 16: What types of support do you receive instructionally, financially, or professionally
from the school, parent organization or school district to enhance instruction? >>> “So, instructionally I
will run things by the strategist. Like I want to do a lesson on this and what do you think. And my grade
level. My grade level has been really good. I’ve been lucky. At every school I’ve been to my team helps
each other out. So, if there was something I needed help or ideas for, I can go to those people and I have.
Financially I spend a lot of my own money. I will ask parents to bring in things such as tissue, and they
are really good about bringing in things. The school district gives us, this year it was $182, Its never a set
amount. I was able to buy extra white boards and cursive books. I’ve spent way more than that.
Professionally, I think everyone here has been really helpful. I’ve talked to the counselor, the
administration, other teachers at different grade levels. I’ve gotten insight from them professionally.
School District wise they offer different professional development opportunities.”
Interview Question 17: “What surprised you most about teaching as a profession? >>>How quickly I
think you bond with the kids. At first, they are not your kids just yet, but then all of a sudden, your just
like, they’re my kids. You really do care about them forever. “

Assignment 6: Observe a student

The children were learning about different sounds e and I make. The student participates but sometimes
too loudly. Children are expected to participate in each lesson. Students who don't participate don't
receive points, or get points marked off.
The student is focused on the teacher but occasionally stares off into space. He walked to get hand
sanitizer. The teacher tells him to move his chair to his desk and sit up, but he is reluctant. He moves up a
little and she tells him again. He still does not follow complete directions. The next lesson was, “why is
nature changing?”. Students were required to get out small white boards to practice writing sentences
with their vocabulary words. The students were required to write, “When the road is rainy, we go
slowly.”. The student pays attention and participates in saying vocabulary words. He usually says the
vocabulary word after the class already said the word. He gets up to get hands sanitizer multiple times
while other students are paying attention to the lesson.
Assignment 7: Reflect on 10 Hour Field Observation
The 10-hour field observation in Ms. Jackson's classroom has given me a lot of insight on what it is like
to teach a class full of bright children. Ms. Jackson is such an amazing teacher and I will use some of her
helpful teaching strategies in my own classrooms. Her teaching style and methods are extremely effective
in teaching her students. I have respect for her and so does all her students. I have learned that teaching is
such a rewarding job. Teaching shapes lives and provides kids with information to help them move on in
life and in their academic careers. It takes a caring and patient individual to be a good teacher. I can tell
Ms. Jackson loves all her students and wants what is best for their futures.
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Link for Observation Packet Download
C:\Users\taylo\Downloads\Field_observation_packet_Saladino.pdf