Reflections: A Field Observation Essay Emma Ramos Intro to teaching 16435 Dr.

Qadri

Completing the Field observations assignment has been one of the most necessary things I have done, on my journey to becoming a teacher. This assignment, being one of my favorite, brought me directly in contact with the environment I want to be a part of. The assignment was to be an observer in a k-12 school for 15 hours. I chose to do my observation in a High School (Celebration High School). I observed in five different teaching environments: math with Bobby Mouchet, environmental science with Lori Thuesen, regular bilology with Lindsay Kiper, IB biology with Janet Bisagno, and ESE with Cory Green. I spent more than the 25 hours learning all they had to teach me. In the next four paragraphs I will be completing the field observations assignment by answering four questions, based on my field observation experiences The first question: What were your observations with reference to the following? What was the invisible curriculum that the teacher used to influence learning? In a passage in the book Teachers, Schools, and Societies Jules Henry, suggests that hidden curriculum is shaped by attitudes and behaviors of teachers (Sadker, 317). I observed many teachers who displayed a passion for their profession, they all had different implicit or hidden curriculum. Among the teachers, Bobby Mouchets invisible curriculum taught children that with belief and respect in ones self they can achieve any goal, and succeed. The children were most receptive to his invisible curriculum. List the ways the teacher used computers in the classroom to increase student achievement? Technology was completely interwoven in the high school experience. I observed Cory Green (who taught ESE) work with children on individualized computer modules, to help with understanding in multiple subject areas. Dr. Janet Bisagno (who taught IB Biology) used a

Reflections: A Field Observation Essay Emma Ramos Intro to teaching 16435 Dr. Qadri

computer website that her students can go to, practice concepts, and do biology homework from. Every teacher in every subject can input grades immediately to a website for studenst and parent review immediately. Using Blooms Taxonomy describe some of the ways teachers used questioning skills effectively? Mr. Mouchet displayed a Socratic Method of teaching. He was skillful in his use of Blooms taxonomy (Sadker 367). He used lower-order questioning when jarring the memory of third and fourth period math (these classes are right after lunch) asking about what formula is used for the equation being worked. He students would have to respond out of memory. However Bobby used higher-order questions when asking children to formulate an equation based ratios represented in the room or in their group for a particular scenario.

The Second question: was this experience helpful in teaching you the skills to be a successful teacher? Watching teachers in action was invaluable to me. Each teacher had strengths and weaknesses. I took each observation and experience to heart. I allowed each experience to teach me something. I have learned so many techniques I am going to apply to my teaching. List the kind of multiple intelligences you observed in the students and explain how the teacher used them to make them better students & how did she respond to their different learning styles.

Reflections: A Field Observation Essay Emma Ramos Intro to teaching 16435 Dr. Qadri

Dr. Bisagno teaches all IB (international Baccalaurate) and Advanced Placement looping for more than 20 years, biology students. Dr. Bisagnos IB Biology was the best representation of how to teach multiple intelligences. She utilized every intelligence she had in every class. Her lesson are on the same topic, follows the same information, but she tailors it differently for each multiple intelligence in her class. She sang songs for memorization of the periodic table for Musical intelligences, she encouraged taking deep breaths, or stretching before concept changes, also has physical labs for her Bodily kinesthetic students. Dr. Bisagno encourages saying concepts out loud as a class for the Linguistic students. She made a student implemented project such as the Science Brochures. Dr. Bisagno had her students form pamphlets to represent the interests of the group in both style and information. The intrapersonal intelligent students had the ability to shine. The intelligence that was in those classes were amazing, what was truly amazing was how she let her students shine individually while there special intelligence and personality was allowed to add to the environment of learning. Use any on theory from: Theories of why some groups succeed and other do not (p 67) and explain which one the teacher applied or could have applied to make students successful. Of the three theories: Deficit, Expectation, & Culture, Dr Bisagno applied the expectation theory. In our text book Teachers, Schools, and Societies It says Children do poorly because their teachers do not expect much of kids from certain racial and ethnic groups"(sadker 67). In her classroom every race is represented and se demands and expects that every student try their best. From that expectation comes successful academic delivery.

The third question: Effective Teaching Tips

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Reflections: A Field Observation Essay Emma Ramos Intro to teaching 16435 Dr. Qadri

Select any five teaching tips from your textbook that the teacher you observed used or could have used to make their teaching effective, List the teaching tip and under it give reference to your observations by drawing connections. 1) A few simple rhythmic claps that in turn needed to be repeated by the class would achieve focus without straining your voice (Sadker 17). Lindsay Kiper (who taught regular biology, and a second year teacher) used this method on a very rowdy fifth period bunch, all the time. It worked very well on then vary rarely did she ever have to do it more than twice. 2) For Kinesthetic learners, teachers should consider planning movement in class, as well as independent study time. Lori Thuesen (who taught environmental science taught for almost 20 years) plans out chapter reviews for the test by writing questions around the room and have students go around from station to station to find the answer. 3) When you have students with special needs use a variety of instructional strategies including visual and auditory methods, hands on activities, and shorter time segments for activities. The more channels you open, the more engaged behavior you will encourage. And the more likely that the students will connect with your academic goals (sadker56). Cory Green (who Teaches ESE and integrated curriculum) combines these methods by splitting activities. Mr. Green works one on one also splits in groups, also has computer modules, and like Bobby Mouchet says dont spend more than 10 mins on any one subject matter.

Reflections: A Field Observation Essay Emma Ramos Intro to teaching 16435 Dr. Qadri

4) Always remember you are not teaching a subject but a student call on skills like humor patience, and creativity. They are critical to reaching the student and achieving authentic transformation (Sadker, 351). Dr. Janet Bisagno lives this advice, by responding to the students in the class and allowing her own creativity, and humor to shape a lesson of Differentiated Instruction tailored for each class. 5) Renew Enjoy an interest outside of teaching (388). Mr. Mouchet and Mr. Green both are very into sports and avidly watch and talk sports when not teaching. They also agree it is a good way to remind yourself you are human not a super teaching hero from another planet. Your hobby may provide another way to connect to your students and peers alike. The Fourth question: Was the teachers you observed effective? Why or why not? The teachers I observed Bobby Mouchet, Cory Green, were so very effective at being teachers and Mentors. They command the respect that is in turn given back to every student. They care for those students on a different level, not just academic but on a personal level individual to each student. They believe in the potential of each student and the students mirror that belief in themselves. Using the Stages of Teacher Development on what level would you place the teacher, give examples? Bobby Muchet has reached the stage of 2(consolidation)-3(renwal). He has been looping for more than 15 years his lesson plans for everything he teaches has been mastered years ago, now
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Reflections: A Field Observation Essay Emma Ramos Intro to teaching 16435 Dr. Qadri

he seeks new methods for reaching children that are harder to reach for social, economic, or physical reasons. By partnering with other teachers including Mr Green an ESE teacher for exceptional learners. However he is not seeking any further developmental programs regionally or nationally.

Works Cited Teachers, Schools And Society: A Brief Introduction to Education Third edition David M. Sadker - Karen Zittleman - New York - McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages 2006