PHED 239 Module 4: High School

Site Observation Assignment

Site: East Longmeadow High School

Cooperating Teacher: Mr. Craig Difranco
Grade Level: 11th grade (Juniors)/Control - Utilization
# of Students: 19 (20 total, 1 was absent)
Facilities: The facilities at ELHS are modern. There is a large gymnasium where you can play
multiple sports such as volleyball, basketball, or even badminton. There is also a divider which
can give you a bit of privacy between the classes which is helpful. Its not like Agawam which is
somewhat thin, so if you bump into the bottom it isnt going to get off the ground and things can
get stuck underneath, or lost on the other side of the gymnasium. This divider is sturdy and only
moves a bit back and forth. The only problem is that the clock in the gymnasium does not work,
so I will have to remember to always have a watch on and to look at it constantly. The small
gymnasium can also be useful. It is good size, but only has two baskets for a basketball lesson. I
did not check to see if there is a clock in that gymnasium, but I will have a watch on anyways so
it should be fine. This gymnasium is perfect for enclosed sports that can get a bit more physical
because there are no bleachers for students to trip into, or run into, such as floor hockey or
basketball. The pool is in good shape, yet there is no clock in there, so if I teach in there I would
need to definitely need to watch for time because the students need extra time to rinse off,
change, and get to class. The fitness room is small, but resourceful. There is a lot of equipment
within a tight space, so there is a lot to use.
Equipment: I do not know much about the equipment at ELHS because we did not get to look
inside the equipment room. All I know is that there is a good amount of equipment, but not a
huge amount and that the equipment room is in the small gymnasium. I may have to bring
equipment from Springfield College, but that is something I need to ask my cooperating teacher
each week.
Questions:

1. The students in the class I will be teaching interacted very well together. They
seem like most of them know each other, but even those who arent close are friendly to
everyone in class. There were many students that were cheering each other on even if
they werent in the game at that time. Everyone was working very well together.
2. This was like no other class that I have witnessed in high school. They were so
well-mannered, especially for having a long-term sub as a teacher. They worked well
together, moved the ball well, and impressed me with some of the shots they made. The
best part was that no one was holding a grudge or getting mad if they missed a shot,
everyone was just having fun. They may have gotten a little upset, but they shook it off
and acted like it didnt happen the next time down the court.
3. I didnt see any rules, routines, or management techniques due to not seeing the
beginning of class and it being fitness day, so it was somewhat of a free period, where the
students just played knockout and 5v5 basketball full court while Mr. Difranco assessed
the sit and reach and height and weight of each student.
4. My class is currently in a 2 week unit of basketball and floor hockey. Each day
the sport switches, so you will have each sport for 5 days by the end of the 2 weeks
depending on any snow days. The units just rotate throughout the classes every 2 weeks.
 5. I did not see any discipline problems in the class, but there was a student that tried
to walk into the class and Mr. Difranco just told the student to leave because he knew he
wasnt a part of his class. He didnt yell he just told him to go back to class, so he
wouldnt get in any trouble.
6. The average class size is about 20-30 and the students are divided up by grade
level, so 9th grade with 9th grade, 10th with 10th, etc.
7. The biggest concern I have in teaching high school is getting the respect from the
students because Im only 3 years older than them. I just want to be able to have that
adult-like presence, but still be able to maintain that working relationship with the
students that is so key in teaching especially at the high school level.
8. Im most looking forward to seeing the students progress in their skills throughout
my lesson and throughout the weeks I am at ELHS. I hope to have a big impact and be
enthusiastic throughout my lessons, so the students are excited to be there and arent just
going through the motions because its not their regular teacher teaching.