It was brought to my attention that maybe we(everyone) don’t understand and appreciate what goes on in other parts of the building. I reflected on what was said and I discussed it further with the Leadership Team yesterday and I truly believe there is a disconnect between PK/2 and 3-5. There is an old adage that goes like this “You'll never understand a person until you walk a mile in their shoes!” This week we are not going to walk but rather do a little window shopping to see what it is like in other parts of the building. Your task is to spend 20 minutes with a teacher in another grade level. 3-5 teachers will observe PK-1 teachers and PK-1 will observe 3-5 teachers. 2nd Grade, Specials and Special Education will observe each other. Get with your team members and plan it so that each one of you will see a completely different grade level. The only caveat is that you cannot go to a grade level that you have previously taught. When you have completed your observation, please post what teacher you observed, what she/he was teaching and what “aha moments” you had while observing. Do you have a better understanding, appreciation and respect for what your colleagues do on a daily basis?
I have observed Ms. Dixson in kindergarten during her reading block working with her young students. You really have to have alot of patience working with the young ones; and the kinder teachers really have it. Ms. Dixson allows her students to really work independenly and learn from each other. I noticed also that she is not afraid to teach her kinder students at a higher level challending their "little minds. Both Ms. Dixson and Ms. Woods have excellent discipline with the kinder students and use very high order learning strategies.
ReplyDeleteThis morning, I observed Mrs. Toliver's 2nd grade classroom. The students entered the room and placed their belongings in their locker. Then, they each sat in their assigned seats and began writing in their journals. The students knew the standard routine, classroom rules, and expectations. It was clear Mrs. Toliver continuously reviews the classroom rules and the students are aware of each rule and the consequences if not followed appropriately.
ReplyDeleteI observed Mrs. Toliver's instructional and classroom management skills such as:
· She has clearly defined and explained her classroom expectations.
· Her students are made aware when they are meeting their academic or behavior expectations.
· She uses prompts, cues and reminders to assist her students in supporting them in meeting daily standards.
· Her physical classroom arrangement and appropriate student grouping has impacted student learning and behavior.
Previous to the students entering the classroom, Mrs. Toliver had posted today's tasks, assignments, spelling words ("au" and "aw" words), and the TEKS being addressed. She has a print-rich environment, large word wall, and student work displayed. After their journal writing, Mrs. Toliver began her Language Arts lesson, beginning with Daily Oral Language (DOL). The spelling words were displayed, which offered a helpful visual for her students.
Mrs. Toliver has a clear understanding of her student’s unique abilities, and how to apply instructional differentiation by:
· Adjusting the content/subject matter by focusing on the selected task and adjusting the degree of complexity to suit her diverse learners. Her tiered expectations based on individual student abilities/needs allowed each student grasp the concept during the lesson.
· She offered different modes of instructional delivery, used supportive activities, and varying levels of complexity. Her student grouping helped in facilitating this type of instructional delivery.
I was impressed with Mrs. Toliver's facilitation in instructional content, classroom management and organization, and being prepared for her lessons. She helped me realize I need to write/display the daily assignments in the classroom. I orally prepare my students with our daily activities, but need to have the activities in written form for my students to view.
I observed Ms. Dixson's kindergarten class today from 8:25 to 8:49....24 minutes...and time seemed to crawl. All I can say is WOW! She was teaching spelling and grammar. The students were spelling and sounding out words. Sounds and movements were used and students went to the Word Wall to identify words using a pointer. The constant redirecting, detail instructions, chanting, cheering, singing, and pouting was a bit too much for me. I can only imagine how difficult it was when Cori was in her class! I know I don't have the patience to teach children so young. Ms. Dixson, I applaud you! Your shoes are too small and tight for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI observed Mrs. Rostad's Pre-K class today from 12:00 to 12:20 the students were working in centers. I just thought my room could get loud with all the computer noise and talk but every center I visited the kids were talking about letters, and shapes, and problem solving putting puzzles together; and the best was I guess her house center a student was talking on a phone and using our "teacher talk" she was acting as if she was telling a parent how their child was on red. It was like WoW they really do listen and pick up from us from the very begining. Mrs. Rostad really impressed me with the way she knew where everyone was and what they were doing. She was working in one group with a student on her letters and 500 other things are going on around her now I call that multitasking.
ReplyDeleteI observed Ms. Hester’s class yesterday. She was very organized and the students were well prepared for their writing camp. It was exciting to see some of my old students doing so well. Every student was working hard on their compositions and the student behavior was awesome. Everyone was working hard like they are ready to handle their business next week. I can understand better, by observing, how important it is to use all available time to restate and reiterate important concepts being taught.
ReplyDeleteI observed Mrs. McCarter's class yesterday, when I enterend the room the students were working indepently on a math assignment, the room was very inviting and well organized, Mrs. McCarter and Mrs. Smith were walking around the room monitoring and helping the students, the assisgnments were writen on the board, after the students finished the assignment Mrs. McCarter then gave the students the next assignmet her instructions as to what they were suppose to do were very easy to understand, they were talking about Area and Perimeter, she told the students that they were going to have an academic competion using the assignment, she then asked the students who remembers how I told you to remember what perimeter was, all the students raised their hands and told her, I was like WOW! I never learned it that way, she said that the key word in perimeter was RIM, and the rim is around the outside of something, so remember that anytime you see perimeter think rim and around. I thought that was a neat and understandable way for the students to remember, I would have loved to have had a math teacher like Mrs. McCarter when I was in school, she was very helpful to the students, never critized the students for not knowing the answers and she helped them figure out the easiest ways to find the answers. Kudos to Mrs. McCarter
ReplyDeleteFirst I would like to say kudoes for this assignment. There is wonderful, engaging, high-level learning going on all over this building and it is not just happening in the upper grade levels! Without a strong foundation none of the students will ever achieve the academic goals necessary to be successful in the upper grades!
ReplyDeleteMoving on, I had the pleasure of visiting Mrs. Holt-Hightower's room. I saw many wonderful things:
1. 5 Intelliegences-think, speak, read, write and look intelligent and the behavior must match
2. Very explicit instruction with clear directions
3. Numerous opportunities for the students to direct their own learning
4. Popcorn-a fun way for students to select the next reader during read alouds
5. Reward dollars for verbal pariticpation and expression of knowledge with a student store to purchase items on Friday
6. Lots of writing, writig, writing and reading aloud
7. If students have questions but the lesson must move forward they can write their questions down to be addressed later
There was much more but that was just a snippet of the great learning happening in 3rd grade!!! Thank you for allowing me to observe...
Romans 13:7 Give honor to whom honor is due...
I observed Mr. Bowers class for a few minutes on Wednesday. The kids had just come back from lunch and where in their wind down time. While in the room it became very evident at how well Mr. Bowers knew his students. He was accustomed to their routine. I have to smile reflecting about it now; he could tell me what they would do before the children carried out the action. I have to extend an enormous kudos out to Mr. Bowers and other members of the Spec. Ed. team. They bring an exceptional service to Rolling Hills. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteI observed Mrs. Dixion. I watched her sit on the floor with about four to five students. The thing that stands out the most to me about Mrs. Dixion is that she is orderly. Even with the different learning centers she has throughout her room. She smiles, the students smile and it is such a pleasant classroom to visit. I could feel the love and the learning taking place in her class.
ReplyDeleteI observed Mr. Nuckols(Total Communication) class and his students greeted me with a burst of energy and sunshine smiles. His room is print rich with variour learning tools including alphabet and number posters, a world geography map and student work samples. He called his students to the table for small group instruction. Immediatly, I noticed the diffentiated instruction. There were multiple learning styles presented. A few students had the alphabet letter manipulatives and a board and some reviewed beginning letter sounds by cutting and pasting the beginning sounds on a sheet of construction paper with matching pictures. There was evidence of accomodating each student's individualized learning style of instruction. Therefore,Mr. Nuckols is commended for his patience and "exemplary" attitude he brings to his classroom because his student have the same enthuasism to strive for
ReplyDeleteexcellence.
I had the opportunity this morning to observe Mrs. Hill's 1st grade class in action! They were doing a spelling test right before they went to "stations". The stations focused on animals, writing, word sounds, and organizing parts of a story. I was impressed by her organization and management of the activities, as well as the overall behavior of the students. I could tell that the students knew the routine and it allowed the activities and transitions to be efficient. They knew her expectations of them regarding the rules and activity instructions, and any corrections to behavior or tasks were quick and effective.
ReplyDeleteShe delegated the task of passing out paper to one student and it reminded me that my students can help our classroom run more efficiently (they are always eager to offer me help when I do ask).
The students I interacted with in passing were respectful, politely saying "excuse me", "please" and "thank you". I can set the example for my students by demonstrating respect and being polite, but I also need to keep my expectations high for respect between others in my classroom.
I also like how Mrs. Hill designated a time during stations for students to work with and help their partner if needed. I see students do this in orchestra now and then of their own accord when they see someone who needs a little redirection or assistance, but I am going to plan some formal moments for us to try this in orchestra class. Thank you Mrs. Hill for letting me observe your class!
This week I observed Mrs. Rogers (Computer) class while she had 5th grade students.
ReplyDeleteI observed Mrs. Rogers preparing student log in cards for the students as they worked in the Study Island program. All the students were actively engaged in the program as they completed various lessons/activities in Math and Science.
Mrs. Rogers facilitated the learning by walking around and observing what the students were working on. She redirected misbehaviors as needed and made sure to restate her expectations as well as the reward for completing the task at hand "You will earn 10 minutes."
She was also encouraging to students who told her they scored successfully on certain parts.
While this was not a "lesson" per say, I still enjoyed observing the kids as these are kids that I have previously taught (some for 2 consecutive years). The development changes was what really got me to thinking that the Specials teachers TRULY are special. In one day they work with students from age 5 to 11. There are multiple personalities, ability levels, and they truly have to be flexible. Sometimes we don't appreciate the work they do because we get caught up in our ONE room or ONE subject. Sure we have similar problems but in addition to their duties they are asked to stretch themselves to be sure we are ALL successful.
Hats off to Mrs. Rogers, Ms. Caldwell, Mrs. McDougall, Mrs. Ross and Mr. Keith for the phenomenal work they do with ALL the students at RHE!! Where would we be without them?
Visiting in 5th grade science was exhilarating! As soon as I entered the room and stated to Mrs. Bell my purpose for being there, she allowed me to assist some of the students with their acrostic poems. Speaking of excitement...I was like a kid in a candy store. While eagerly scanning the pages of the science textbook, to refresh my brain about animal "adaptations", I listened and watched in awe as Mrs. Bell restated the lesson, and gracefully strolled the perimeters of the room to ensure that all students were actively engaged and on target. Being in Mrs. Bell's class reminded me of the sayng, "If a student cannot learn the way you teach, teach the way he learns." You got it going on Mrs. Bell!
ReplyDeleteI observed Ms. Caldwell with my second grade class. I watched her engage and motivate the students by telling them they would be making decorative paper necklaces. She accessed prior knowledge through questioning and proceeded to build background information. The children carefully listened. She checked for understanding by questioning the students. My "aha moment" occured to me in the very beginning when Ms. Caldwell confirmed the class was behind the other second grade classes. I realized specials teachers have to be more versatile then the general education teacher, because factors adjust their schedule, and they just have to keep Rolling at the Hills.
ReplyDeleteI have had the pleasure of observing several classrooms "in action" when coming to visit for "nurse" issues. In Ms. O'Bannon's classroom I noticed that there is a quiet but directed action with her students. Though many students are spread around the classroom, they are all busily involved with their work stations. Each student has a clear vision of their assignment, and seem to know what they are trying to achieve. During active instruction, the students know where to sit and the proper behavior within the classroom. They are controlled yet participative/interactive in the lesson being presented. If a disruption occurs, the student is redirected to the correct behavior. The students understand their boundaries, and what the expectations Ms. O'Bannon has for them. They are interested in the instruction and seem motivated to learn. I have also observed this quiet control in Mr. Nuckols classroom. The students in his class have a clear understanding of appropriate classroom behavior. When the children lose focus or control, Mr. Nuckols redirects them in the right direction, and firmly makes sure that they understand what is being asked of them. He maintains a calm demeanor and directs the children towards a more appropriate response, without losing his temper. These special children are very responsive to his calm and consistent behavior, and appreciate that they know what the teacher expects from them.
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to observe Ms. Murray PPCD class.I started from their adaptive PE time in gym, where they were about to leave. Rounding up the students,was very humorous! One student ran Mr. Bowers around the entire gym several times before he could catch up with him,while the other student just decided to fall out on the floor and refuse to get up, until Ms. Jones picked her up.
ReplyDeleteFinally, we make it to the classroom where the action begins…….. OMG, there are so much diaper changing that takes place amongs a host of other things going on at the same time in PPCD. While trying to complete a activity with materials such as elbow macaroni and glue, one student is being constantly trying to eat the materials, because of his disability Pica and the inability to know when he is full. Another student will not stay seated and continue running opening the door tying to leave the classroom. WOW, what an experience to watch so many different things take place in so little time of my observing.
Kudos to Ms. Murray, Ms. Jones, and Mr. Muhammad
p.s Ms. Benberry I can’t wait to read your blog! lol
I observed Ms. Chalmers this afternoon busting out some life science investigation with her class. The students had been working on a multi-day investigation into plants, and today was the day they got to see beyond the veil and into the guts of their celery or flower. When Ms. Chalmers told them that she was going to come around and cut open their plant so they could see, some of them even started clapping. That's engagement!
ReplyDeleteMs. Chalmers has a group of students with some...um...FASCINATING personalities and she keeps her cool so well with all of them. Having worked with her kids in music, I know it can be difficult to get/keep them focused and to set aside whatever personal issues they may be dealing with. Ms. Chalmers does an exceptional job of working with and in spite of any conflict they may be having with another student. She groups them well, keeps them engaged, and knows when she needs to discipline or when she needs to overlook inconsequential behavior. I commend her HIGHLY for her patience and focus with this group.
"What do plants need? SUNSHINE, AIR, SOIL and WATER!!" (I'll be rappin' it all day long...thanks, Ms. Chalmers...)
Wow!! I applaud Ms. Murray, Ms. Jones, and Mr. Muhammad for their patience with the PPCD class. My observation today was in the PPCD class. We may think that having such a small number of students (there were 5 in there at the time) would be an easy task, however, it is quite the opposite. Ms. Murray with out in the "field" with her students who were in inclusion. I sat in the classroom eating my lunch as Mr. Muhammad prompted students to write the #5. Two students sat in their desks with their feet on the floor writing their #5. Another student sat there quiety. One student tore up his paper, attempted to eat the marker, and then approached me trying to reach into my lunch bag. (He has a disorder I was told where he continously eats and has no idea when he is full). I quickly closed my lunch and decided to eat later. Another student ran to the door several times trying to leave the room, and when he was redirected he put his hands over his hears and screamed. Mr Muhammad was very patient with them and lovingly grabbed the two boys and allowed them to sit in his lap while at the same time assisting a student with his number and coloring. He quickly got up to blow another student's nose while still holding on to the two boys. Nap time was next...Each student's mat was placed on the floor and most of them laid down with no problem. The child who tried to escape the room also tried to escape the nap. He ran laps around the room as if he was training for a marathon and then began to cry until his mother walked into the room to take him home. Mr. Muhammad remained calm, cool and patient with each student. I can tell that he has taken time to get to know each student and provides love to each one and "tough love" when they need it as well. I commend each person who teaches these children, teaching is a calling for special people, and it takes even more special people with work with the personalities and disabilities in the PPCD class.
ReplyDeleteI observed Mr. Bowers class. He was working on developing the students fine motor skills. The students would get distracted easily but Mr. Bowers had the perseverance, patience and understanding that each student needed. Way to go Mr. Bowers!
ReplyDeleteOn Friday, I went into Ms. Bell's room and the students were taking a weekly assessment. It was quiet and all were on task. I returned on Monday, they were reviewing the test which had been graded and returnd to them. I had forgotten about all the testing snd grading that must be done in addition to other district and state tests in the middle grades. Ms. Bell used the review time to reteach those who had answered incorrectly. For the most part the students were helping each other by telling how they figures out the correct answer. Ms. Bell was giving them additional information about the questions. I noticed how important teaching them some strategies was as many incorrectly answered a question due to mis-reading it. Ms. Bell reminded them that they could always use reading or math strategies for science questions. they should use whatever strategy helps the to chose the correct answer. They began a new topic as I left. Keeping them engaged is as difficult as keeping my 4-5 year olds engaged - not always easy. Continuing to stress strategies as Ms. Bell did will surely help them on TAKS.
ReplyDeleteOn yesterday I had the pleasure to observe Mrs. Rogers in her 1st grade computer class. She reintroduced fact families using the computer program kidinspiration. The students were very attentive and it was obvious that Mrs. Rogers had clear expectations for her students. I was very impressed that she knew her students by name!
ReplyDeleteI had a chance to visit Ms. Coleman's 3rd grade class. She was teaching about the Food Chain. She questioned students with higher order questions and she allowed them to brainstorm about the topic. The 5E model was clear there.
ReplyDeleteStudents had to describe what their thoughts were about the food chain. They discussed what would happen if the chain had a breakdown in it.
After this discussion students used animal crackers to make a graph about the food chain.
Good job Ms. Coleman sitting in with your class brought some things back to my memory
I observed third grade writing. Observing this class made me realize, how important it is to instill writing at an early age and how much writing has changed since I was in school. As, I walked into the class I saw the students making a web before they began to write. The students really seemed prepared. I liked how the teachers implemented everyday activities into their writing assignment. I appreciate the how third grade teachers really take the time to bond with their students and take the time to reach everyone during their learning process.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I ever understimated the work and stress involved in 3-5, but I can say after window shopping I believe I am ready to buy. I visited 4th grade last week and helped with writing conferences and Mrs. Hightower's 3rd grade on Monday during reading comprehension lessons and let's just say that I didn't know how to act with all of the calmness. I know the kids aren't angels in 3-5 but I didn't have to keep hearing or say clean your nose, stop crying, stop eating your pencil eraser or paper, etc. It was a welcome change of pace in those classrooms. Keep up the good work ladies!
ReplyDeleteThis year has really been an eye opener for me! I have had the oppertunity to walk in 4th, 5th and SPED shoes this year and they are BIG WIDE Shoes!! The teachers have struggles, but I was able to see that some of their struggles are the same as in my first grade class. The kids are really just big "first graders" but the teachers are wonderful and they do the hard job of teaching daily, and getting them ready for state testing. The teachers plan more together and look at data on a daily basis to see where they can be of assistance to students in need. I tip my hat to the 4th, 5th and SPED teachers because it is a new challenge each day and they always rise to the occasion!
ReplyDeleteI observed Ms. Cane’s Pre-K Class
ReplyDeleteWhen I entered the classroom the students were sitting very quietly on the rug patiently waiting on Ms. Cane. After Ms. Cane finished talking to one of her parents she started her morning routine. First, on the agenda was the calendar…..Today is Friday, March 4, 2011, yesterday was? Tomorrow will be? Then she went over the sounds for each letter in the word Friday and blended them. What is the word? The students replied Friday. What month of the year is it? The students replied March and they spelled the word March.
Students looked at the pattern on the calendar to see if they can determine what color will come next? What is the pattern being represented? ABCD
When that was completed Ms. Cane reviewed shapes and colors. When she pointed to some of the shapes, the students used high leveled vocabulary….crescent, rhombus, hexagon, pentagon and octagon.
The last thing I observed was an activity on letters and sounds using pictures. (No particular order)
When the students begin to talk Ms. Cane would say, “I am going to wait.”
Students were very attentive and I can tell by the student responses that learning is taking place in Ms. Cane’s class.
I observed Mrs. Hill's 1st grade class. During my visit I observed Mrs. Hill's students in stations as well as Mrs. Hill in a small group Reading in group. As I walked around and observed the stations I inquired about what they were doing the students where able to clear explain what they were doing. It was obvious that this was a consistant activity in Mrs. Hill's class.
ReplyDeleteI also observed Mrs. Hill conduct a mutil-level reading group. Multi meaning the group varied from fluent reader to readers who still have problems with letter recognition. Mrs. Hill educated my on the progress of each of her students and she plans and differentiate her lesson. I was at awww and realized that foundation is not only a struggle that we encounter at the upper level but is just as important to have at the lower leve. Kudos to Mrs. Hill in being innovative and effective in her instruction.