TASK 2

     I was fortunate enough to be able to do my observations in the Lincoln School Annex in Fairview. It had first opened up when I was in eight grade in Fairview≠s school district. It has been a privilege to work with everyone and see the teachers I have had when I was younger. The entire staff has made me feel comfortable and as if I belonged. The entire school has a friendly and comfortable environment where you can enjoy your time there. Since I knew the Superintendent from when I was attending the school, he had no problem allowing me to do my observations there. He also felt that I should be able to observe more than one class room so I spent my time in the Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and First grade classrooms.

     The first two days I was there I observed the Pre-Kindergarten, then the Kindergarten and then the First grade. Each classroom was decorated with vibrant colors and pictures all over the entire room. I have felt welcome in every classroom I was in and have felt like I was apart of the class throughout my stay. I thought it was a good factor that each teacher I have observed all used most of the pictures they had up as part of their lesson. All of the teachers have an enthusiastic way of teaching which is friendly and enjoyable to be around. The environment and the teacher do not clash with each other in the least; in fact I feel that it helps bring out the best in a person.

     For the most part; each teacher had the same style of teaching. They would teach but it would be interactive with the students. It would not be completely teacher, or student based. I have noticed that the teachers are giving the students a little more freedom with what they learn. It is almost as if most of the teachers are becoming constructivists. There would be lessons where they would just give the students a few things and tell them to make something that had to do with what they have learned. It could be anything they wanted, as long as it had to do with the lesson. The teachers would then back off and not take apart of it, unless asked for help. That is why I feel they are not completely constructivists, but in a sense "testing the water." Each teacher has been pretty consistent with the way they teach. They do use different approaches to different lessons but I feel that there is nothing wrong with a little bit of variety. They all have unique ways of going about things and I see that as something for the students enjoy so they do not sit through the same exact thing every day. It is like they need to sit and see what comes next, because they just might not know.

     Each classroom would have a set of rules to abide by. Whether they were unwritten or posted up; the students knew what was to be expected of them and they would follow them. If for some reason they did not follow the rules they would get in trouble; whether it be staying after school or being put into a time out, depending on the situation. From what I have noticed each class would have a list of rules hanging up on a closet door. Each class would even have the same things posted up; the rules that will follow them for the rest of their lives, the rules we have come to know very well. Each student understands the rules too. There might be some questions from them, but for the most part each student knows the rules and understand the consequences if they are to break them.

     The one rule that almost every single student breaks is talking to one another during a lesson. Almost every student will constantly have a conversation with one another even though they know they should not and have been told repeatedly not to. Every time the students would get caught talking to one another, it would always be the same children. In the one class, the teacher had to change seats because there was so much talking going on when there should not be. It is told that during free time, lunch time, or snack time, they are allowed to quietly talk to one another. It never seems to fail that no matter how many times you may tell them they are not allowed to talk they will. It is like telling a person not to look down or not to push the big, shiny, red button that if it is pressed the place may blow up or something. The students will then get in trouble. The punishment would sometimes be different in each class. The one class if the child is told more than three times their name gets put on the board and then they would have to stay after school. In the same class, if the entire class was talking, the lights would get shut off and they would all have to put their heads down. In the other classes they would basically have to put their heads down if it was a group. If it was one or two students they would get separated and then put in time out. I am happy to report that I have had seen the best out of the children. They were generally quiet for the most part, there were those few who had a problem with talking, but it is expecting in the class. It would be too easy if each class did not have one of those children who could not stop talking if there life depending on it.

     Each teacher had basically the same way to keep the children engaged. They would make the lesson fun for the children, especially since they have short attention spans at the age of seven. One teacher did the story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" for the letter "G." She had the children make cut out goats and the bridge and read the story with her as they made a little play at their desks with the cut outs. I definitely feel that for the most part the class is "student-based." The teacher will be doing activities with them for their enjoyment and even more important so they learn. The students seemed really interested in what they were learning. I have seen quite a few students saying how they would like to do more work. One of the teachers gave me the advice to stamp what pages they have for homework or else they would do the entire work book. Of course though there are those few who lose interest and start talking or trying to roam around the classroom. I would have to say that 40% of the time was instructional, where they were told what to do step by step and 60% was unfocused where they were able to do what they wanted. I personally like it that way. I feel the students need to learn on their own; they need to learn through their own experience, not through instruction.

     The Fairview School District does not provide training in the area of technology. Basically each teacher has their own amount of knowledge in that area and will have to use it best to their abilities. I personally have seen some of the teachers trying to use the computers in their classroom and not have any idea on what they were supposed to do. I think for teachers who are still grasping the idea of a computer and not a typewriter, should try to further their knowledge so they do not have to continue to ask for help from another teacher, staff member or even one of their students. Their technology classrooms were basically a computer class that only taught the basics of keyboarding. There were no lessons on web pages, browsing the web, internet use, or all the software available to use on the computer. It would be great if the district was able to have a technology department, but they are unfortunate, maybe in the future they will have one soon.

     I have really enjoyed my time doing the observations and I cannot wait until I go back to visit. It has been a thrilling learning experience for me and something I will remember always. I have been treated as part of the faculty and I have learned a lot from the other teachers. I have even been told that if I ever need any help do not hesitate to go there and see them.