Field Cite Observation #3

Ms. X continued her teachings of literary elements. However, today she was teaching a lesson on characters. Still referring to the utilization of literary elements in having the students build Venn Diagrams. Ms. X used the smart board to show the students what that is and how they should model it on their own papers. Furthermore, Ms. X then gave each circle a title of: parallel, foils, and similar traits. Ms. X first asks the students if they know the definition of what each word is, ensuring their full understanding before beginning the assignment. They reflected on the novel they had just finished as a class Watson’s. Interestingly enough, today the class was introduced to a new student who has just come from Spain. She speaks zero English and does not understand how to read any as well. Luckily, Ms. X speaks enough Spanish that she is able to communicate with the student. However, the student is clearly struggling with what to do. Ms. X then asks her to name a book she has read. Unable to think of a book, Ms. X suggests some books that she thinks she may have read. Fortunately, she has read Harry Potter so Ms. X then tells her to complete the Venn Diagram using the novel Harry Potter. She immediately understands the assignment and begins to write down her lists. Although, everything is written in Spanish Ms. X is able to read some of it and students are able to also aid further in her understanding. It is evident that this student is a phenomenal reader who can easily analyze texts. However, for me personally it was a big teaching moment that struck a chord. I couldn’t help but think of what would have become of this girl in the schooling system had she not been lucky enough to speak a language that is commonly known in Miami. The class then aids the teacher completing the Venn Diagram that she originally wrote on the smart board with the examples that they had written on their own papers. From there, Ms. X then told the students that for homework they would be doing this activity using A Christmas Carol and the characters that they have met thus far. She also told the students that they would be coming back to the Venn Diagram they create to add characters they will be later introduced to.