Observing and Interacting with Professionals, Children, and Families in an Early Childhood Setting
During my observation I had the opportunity to observe Ms. Sullivan pre-k classroom.
As I entered her classroom I noticed that she had a lot of environmental print displayed throughout her classroom, it was interesting to see that almost all her students were writing their name or a least some letters in their name. As I continued observing I noticed that she was getting ready to read a story called "Little Red Ridding Hood", as she started reading I noticed that about 4 kids weren't interested in the story they were concentrating on other children or things around them. After the story was over Ms. Sullivan started to ask questions pertaining to the story and to my surprise not a lot of children wanted to answer her questions or didn't know how to answer. I then thought that maybe she had read the story too fast and that's why children weren't able to comprehend what she had just read. Ms. Sullivan then proceeded in transitions and activities related towards the weeks topic.
As the children were engaging in free play and two teachers were able to stay in her class, I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Sullivan outside her classroom about my observation. I then went over what I had observed and she agreed that she has noticed children during story time that they didn't seem interested in the story but knew that the reason for it was that they didn't understand. She than clarified to me that she does tend to read simple Spanish books but feels that her Spanish isn't that great and stopped.
I suggested some things to Ms. Sullivan that could probably gain her students interest in literacy, I suggested more visuals and maybe concentrating in one book for a whole week, so that children can better understand the story. Doing this will help her class be interested in stories and would also help Dual language students in her class.
This observation has made me reflect in my teaching methods and things that I can share with others that can help children in literacy. I did get a lot of tips from Ms. Sullivan's class that I will definitely will incorporate in my teaching methods, one would be incorporating a print rich environment in my class and making sure that I am labeling everything throughout my classroom! This will then help my students be more interested in writing.
Hello Sandra, I think that the suggestions that you gave to MS. Sullivan were great ones. From personal experince, children love repetition, and if she reads a particular story more than once the children are more likely to understand and pick up on the language.
ReplyDeleteI agree Tan, especially if she has children who are starting to learn English it could be more difficult for them. But overall the experience was great and I learned a lot from Ms. Sullivan class.
DeleteThere are times that we, "Teachers' seem not to see, unless there are other professionals like yourself Sandra." I am so glad that you were able to take a note of what you were observing, and that you give a note of advice. I have to agree with you,"Print has to be all over the classroom at all times, print is what some students' need to help them know what they are interested on and where everything should be at. We have to understand that there are many students' who do not know how to read yet, professional teachers' should respect that need. Reading materials should be age appropriate, and it needs to be interesting depending the age of the students. I am so glad to have some one like you as a student from Kendall.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alex, it is important to be able to observe something that you may think may need a change and its a chance to share and discuss what you have observed in your own class room or in another class.
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