Gaining teaching experience in the field is not only a requirement for teacher candidates but also a benefit that will provide you with hands-on experiences to make you a better teacher. Reflecting on your field experience will also be important, as it will deepen your understanding of learning differences and improve your planning and practices. In this assignment, you will observe and interview a teacher in an elementary (K–6) classroom and then reflect on your experience. Complete Parts 1–3 below.
Part 1: Preconference
Meet with the teacher about an upcoming reading/language arts lesson you will observe. Discuss and take notes on the following:
· Classroom demographics/set-up
· Skills to be addressed and strategies planned
· Planned assessments
Note: It is recommended that you complete the Preconference by the end of Week 2.
Part 2: Observation and Interview
Observe the teacher implementing the reading/language arts lesson and
take notes on the following:
· Whether you observed a whole-group lesson, small-group lesson, or one-on-one instruction
· Reading and writing instructional strategies that the teacher used
· Assessments used
· Differentiation strategies
· Engagement strategies
Meet with the teacher after observing the reading/language arts lesson and
ask questions about the lesson taught. Consider asking the following questions, as well as any other questions you have, about what you observed:
· What specific strategies were used (before, during, and after the lesson)?
· How was learning assessed during the lesson?
· What do you plan to do as a result of the information gained from assessments?
· How does/can the lesson connect both reading and writing in the students’ literacy development?
· How do you differentiate instruction to meet learners’ needs?
Note: It is recommended that you complete the Observation and Interview by the end of Week 4.
Part 3: Reflection
Write a 500 to 700-word reflection on your experience. Describe the following:
· Classroom demographics and set-up of classroom space
· Whether you observed a whole-group, small-group lesson, or one-on-one instruction
· Reading and writing instructional strategies that the teacher used
· Assessments used
· Differentiation strategies, including technology
· Engagement strategies, including technology
· What you would do differently, and why