Directions: A requirement to successfully complete Education 1100 is the completion of a minimum of 15 hours spent observing in a public

school K-12 classroom. While observing you are to look for the following indicators, provide examples, and reflect on your observations for
each indicator. You may or may not see all indicators listed below due to the limited amount of time you spend in your cooperating teachers
classroom. You are however required to learn more about each indicator. Therefore you must have a conversation with your cooperating
teacher to understand the indicators not observed.

Classroom Setting
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Classroom Atmosphere:
Teacher- student and studentstudent interactions.

Teacher-student- eye contact to with the student,

very calm, listens very carefully to what the child
is saying, gives reminders to the students.
Student-student- a lot of conversations, talkative,
eye contact to each other.

Classroom procedures:
Groups, materials, supplies,
transitions, and, routines.

There is group time in the classroom. It happens

after specials. A group of kids are sitting at the
table doing while the assistant teacher calls on the
students names to do a story. A lot of materials and
supplies for the students to use in the classroom.
On the back wall of the classroom the teacher put
a chart. It is called clip it behavior chart that is
used to monitor behavior that allows students to be
rewarded for positive behavior while discouraging
negative behavior. The rules on each of the plates
which are no bugging, no messing, and no hurting.
Technology- tablets to be used only in the
classroom not to take home. They are to be kept at
school.
Arrangement of furniture- the working tables
are slanted sideways near the teachers desk.
Resources for students- stories, arts and crafts.

It is very important to give your full attention to each child

that asks you a question or has something to say. My
reflection about this example is that I should be doing the
same when I work with children as well and make sure the
students are focused on their own work and acting silly with
other children.
Teachers should have a lot of materials and supplies in the
classroom but only have the items that are needed for the
classroom.

Classroom behavior:
Expectations/rules,
monitoring, and response.

Classroom layout:
Arrangement of furniture,
resources for student use, and
technology integration.

Reflecting on my observation, the teacher called on a child

and said, I want to show you something. The teacher
shows the child his clip with his name it and that he will be
moved to think about it if hes not listening. I would make a
behavior chart in my classroom so that the child would
know he/she limits are.
I felt like there was too much items in the classroom. I
would just have the materials I really need to have in the
classroom for the students.

Teaching
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Communication: Learning
outcomes, expectations,
directions, explanation of
content, use of vocabulary.

Expectations- teacher expects them to follow directions or there

Reflecting back to this observation seeing the

children learning is very good but also is
needed expectations so that the students follow
through what they are told what to do.

Questioning and discussion:

Blooms Taxonomy and wait
time.

name will be moved to think about it on the behavior chart. If any

of the children are not paying attention during the class group time
as a whole she will call that childs name.

Use of vocabulary- jolly phonics is used to practice writing

their letters.
Wait time- the teacher will give the children is 3-5
minutes for the children to be working on their own
work at the table. Questioning- the children will need to
raise their hands for any questions.

Student Participation
techniques

There was adult reading in the library where five different

parents come in to read to the children and they participate to
sit in groups with each parent to listen to the story.

Activities and assignments

The activities are the special that they go to such as gym, art,
and music. Assignments are places on the shelf with their
name on it so that they know to take it home to work on it.

Grouping of students: Whole

class, small groups, pairs,
individual, etc.

The students are grouped as whole class, Small groups for

guided reading, and individually.

Materials and resources:

Primary and secondary
sources

Primary resources- textbooks

Secondary resources- video clips, apps,
comprehension games.

I know students dont like to wait and are not

patient but the students should have a wait
time so that there is a limit so that they know
they have to wait.
I would incorporate the adult reading for the
students because it is a different way of
reading to the students for the parents instead
of the teacher
Reflecting back to this, the teacher had
activities for the students in the classroom. If
the activity was a sheet to do and it wasnt
done in the time the teacher gave them then the
teacher assigns it as homework.
By having to group the students in three
different ways they could learn from each
other.

Pacing: Gaining attention,

transitions, reflection, closure,
wait time, etc.

Having textbooks, using video clips and apps

or having comprehension games is a good
learning opportunity for the students and gives
them challenges.
Transitions are smooth when the students have to move to one It is important to give reminders for the
activity to another. The teacher makes the students gain the
students so that they gain your attention
same attention as the teacher.
otherwise, they will not follow through.

Improvisation: Making

When a student is working something while the rest of the

All students should have flexibility based on

adjustments, flexibility based

on the student needs
Student interests, culture, and
other diversity incorporated

children are in line to getting ready to go to a special then the

teacher will wait for that student. If he didnt finish it the
teacher will let the student know that he can work on it when
he/she comes back from the special.
Next to the teachers desk the teacher had a board with
presidents with different cultures posted. There are two Indian
students in the classroom.

their own needs and to make adjustments for

them when needed in the classroom.
It is nice to put up presidents with different
cultures and have different skin color to show
that diversity is incorporated in the classroom.

Lesson Planning
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Concepts, skills,
prerequisites, and
pedagogy
Student abilities,
interests, learning
styles, level of
knowledge, culture,
background, and
needs.
Learning outcomes
linked to standards
within and outside of
the discipline that are
able to be assessed
based on a diverse
population of
students.
Classroom Resources
to enhance the
teachers professional
knowledge and
appropriately
challenging student
materials that fit the
learning needs of all
students.

Uses smart board to show and explain what the students

will be doing in their journals.
The teacher takes the learning styles into the interests of
the students.
Culture- celebrations for holidays and sing songs in the
classroom.

Using a smart board is a good use for the classroom

so that the students are watching what the teacher is
doing as well.
All teachers should take their learning styles with
the interest of their own students because maybe
some students will not like what the teacher is
teaching them.

Projects are being done in the classrooms that are based on

diverse population of the students. Students are able to
understand material when the teacher has already given the
explanation.

Implementing projects in the classroom that are

being assessed on diverse population helps the
student learn by seeing how much students there
are learning.

Classroom Calendar Pocket Chart, job board, cubes,

classroom work books for the students to work on.

Seeing all the classroom resources the student

materials fit the learning the learning needs of all
students.

Learning activities
sequentially designed
to engage and
advances students
learning.

Whatever the alphabet the students are working on that day or

week the teacher will put on a song for that letter so that they are
practicing the letter while they are working on that letter
individually at the table. Also books are being used for the letter
of alphabets see how the alphabets look like and how they are
written.

I like the idea of putting a song that has to do with

that letter they are working on for that day. It will
help the students learn the alphabet while working
on their letters.

Intentionally
organized student
groups created to
support learning.

Sharing of answers and problem solving to understand

procedure.

Listening to students sharing answers and problem

solving is one good way to hear what the students
to tell you so that it shows you they are learning.

Formative and
summative
assessments aligned
to learning outcomes
that drive planning
and instruction.

Formative- reading and writing color words, reading

levels of students.
Summative- reading words in black ink, writing sentences,
and putting words into sentences.

It is a good learning opportunity when formative

and summative assessments are done to see the
growth in the students.

Assessment
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Criteria expectations

The teacher expects students to understand what the teacher

says to them in the classroom. Also paying attention to the
teacher and gives a lot of reminders.

Monitoring student learning

The teacher calls on the students names when they are not
following with what the teacher is showing them on the smart
board. Uses pointer to follow along so that the students are on
the same track. Both the teacher and assistant teacher help
students sound out beginning letter of the word.
When the teacher is busy with a student or working on
something the assistant teacher provides guidance to the
students. When a student is in need of help she is close to them
so that she can hear what the student is saying to her.
Have questions
Full of energy
Share opinions

By having expectations in the classroom is also

important otherwise the students wouldnt be
able to learn without expectations. The teacher
expects students to do a lot of things on their
own.
Always, always to monitor your students
learning so that they are focused. They will not
be able to understand what they are doing.

Feedback: Timely,
substantive, constructive,
teacher proximity, provides
guidance.
Student participation: Selfmonitoring

I will make sure to provide guidance to all of

the students at times when they struggle.
Students will always be full of energy, sharing
opinions, and have questions.

Formative Assessment

Summative Assessment

Pre-test Observations
Student record keeping
Post-test- Writing color words in their color journal. Ex: ( red is for
apple), benchmark testing, end of the semester test,

Grading system: Traditional,

standards-based
Grading system: Traditional,
standards-based

There is no grading system but a report card that is sent home

with the students. The teacher puts either a plus or minus on
the report card. There is no percentage.

It is a good idea to observe the students in the

classroom to see how well they are working
and to keep record of them.
I would do a posttest to show me what area
the student needs to work on and to see the
scores of that student.
I would keep a grading system instead of
putting plus or minuses on the report card. It is
better to know how the student is improving or
not so that I could help the student out in
which ever area he needs it.

Teacher Interview
1. What ways do you find yourself reflecting on your teaching practices? For example do you think your conversations with your colleagues,
journal writing, examining student work, conversations with your students, or just thinking about your teaching for the day?
Passed practices, common core, new colleagues, and passed colleagues who are young.
2. How does reflecting on your teaching practices drive your future instruction?
By pulling things from the common core and make your own things that the children would enjoy.
3. What method do you use to keep track of grades and homework completion?
Parent teacher conference folders, childrens grades, and their assessment sheet.
4. What assessment does the district use to determine a students ability at the beginning of the year and what assessment is used to
determine progress? Do you use any other forms of classroom assessment to determine academic progress?
ISEL, base literacy program, pretest for math, MAP testing for literacy for and math, ECRA- writing pre-assessment to see growth at the
end of the year, and unit test and report card testing.
5. Can you tell me about the Rti process in your school district? What is the process to refer a student for special services?
There is an RtI team that we meet with every 6 weeks. Our school has an excellent support for (Literacy, Math, Writing, Speech, Social and
Emotional) If there is ever a time a teacher feels she needs support for a child she would go to Miss Justice and she would support where
needed. We keep track of our targeted children. If we continue to have concerns we go to Problem Solving.
6. What methods would you suggest for keeping yourself organized? For example what method do you use to keep track of parent contact,
when students turn in permission slips, lunch count, attendance or picture day money?
There are folders for each of the activities that are done with parent contacts that are put into the childs folder. Also in the folders there are
charts for field trips and special activities.

7. How do you keep your students families informed about what is going on in the classroom or with their individual student?
Monthly newsletter, tweet, remind app, and there is a profile page on the internet and web page that is for the parents.
8. Do you encourage parental participation and volunteering in your classroom? Why or why not?
Yes, there is adult reading which means the parents come and reading to the students. The parents will come in monthly to help out the
students with the math and reading program.
9. Do you meet with your grade level partners on a regular basis? Do you have collaborative plan time built in your schedules? What is
discussed at these meetings? Is this district or school mandated or do you find time to collaborate yourselves?
My team does meet on regular basis. We have a weekly agenda that we collaboratively plan on the weeks lessons, events and activities.
We meet each Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school (40 min.) We look at our upcoming Literacy and Math units to discuss what
our core topics will be taught. Teams meeting to discuss plans is a district wide responsibility for all teachers.
10. What clubs, coaching, or committees are you involves in beyond the school day? Does you district compensate employees for sponsoring,
coaching, or committee membership? Is there a minimal requirement?
Due to me retiring this year, I am only the Team Leader for the Kindergarten Unit. In the past I have been on Literacy Committees with
new adoptions. I have also been a part of Math, Mapping, Social and Retirement Committees. We also have summer staff development
classes each year. We are compensated for all of the above.
11. Does your administrator solicit feedback from teachers on school initiatives? What kind of initiatives are taking place in your school right
now?
Yes, after every staff meeting, committee meeting and staff development in service, there is an exit survey that we fill out to provide
feedback. Administration is always interested of our thoughts and feelings. We also do annual feedback on our district and administrators
at times.
12. How do you stay current on hot topics in education or best practices?
I stay very up to date through emails, websites and apps as Teachers Pay Teachers, Pinterest, and Google. Also, by collaborating with
teachers in my district and other districts.
13. Do you attend workshops or participate in professional development activities? What are the most recent ones you have participated in?
During the school year and summer we have many, many opportunities to further our professional development. Topics from the past are,
Mapping, Technology in the Classroom, MAP testing, ECRA Writing, ELL. Literacy, SOL and many more.
14. Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so, which ones?
No
15. Are you on any leadership teams or are you in charge of any committees? What are your roles on these committees?
Team Leader for the Kindergarten and Early Childhood Team. My role is to support and keep each team member up to date on all school
and teacher events and responsibilities. I am also the person my team would come to if they need any help with a matter.
16. If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give me?
Always keep in my "The children are your most important thing to think about." Be very flexible and collaborate with your fellow staff.
17. What is the most rewarding thing about being a teacher?
I think each day watching the children grow from the first to the last day of the Kindergarten school year. I am also so thrilled when
former students of mine come back to visit me and have turned out to be beautiful young people.
18. What is the most challenging this about being a teacher?

Staying up with the changing times of technology. Education changes all the time. Many new things are wonderful, but in return, I have
to give up great lessons to fit in the new ones. This at times is hard to balance. Teaching is truly the best profession a person can obtain. I
have loved every year, day, minute of it. The memories I have collected will last a lifetime.