Final Field Experience

Yesterday I completed my last field experience. I was very bitter-sweet but I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to observe three classes that I had not yet had the pleasure (or displeasure for one in particular) of observing.

 The first class was an extremely small advanced 8th grade English Language Arts class. There were a total of 15 students in the class and they were so well behaved and really interacted with the teacher as well as each other. The class was so easy going and got so much done that the teacher allowed for me to take over help them along with their planning of the essays that they were soon going to be writing. Using the smart board (more like the students telling me how to use the smart board) we outlined as a class what they should include in their essays and addressed the most common difficulty they have in their writing process. We went over how to write topic sentences and how to effortlessly transition from paragraph to paragraph.

The second class was larger 8th grade English Language Arts class. They were reading the same novel as the advanced students, but it was evident their understanding and ability as writers were not nearly on the same level as the advanced students. I saw Ms. X teach the same lesson but moreover I saw how she made the necessary adjustments from one class to the other. While they were essentially learning the same thing and producing the same essay, Ms. X used completely different teaching methods in instructing and introducing the assignment. It was an unbelievable learning experience for me to see how crucial it is for a teacher to know and properly adapt her lesson accordingly to fit the needs of the students.

The last class, was the dreaded 8th grade literature class. I was pre-warned by Ms. X of how this class is her biggest challenge and not one seat is left empty. The class also includes every type of student from ELLs to SPED to those who have behavioral issues. Regardless of the warning, I was appalled by the rowdiness, disrespect, and attitudes of the students not only with the teacher but especially towards each other. It took Ms. X at least 15 minutes to calm the class down to the point where she could begin by having them take out paper and respond to the questions on the smart board. The students immediately took advantage of their need to have a piece of paper and jumped around the room to their friends for paper, pens, and whatever else they imagined. Through out the class period Ms. X NEVER stopped to return to her desk and allow the students to write as she typically always does with her other classes. Instead she needed to walk around to ensure there was actual productivity. It was definitely a MASSIVE learning experience in how to deal with that type of classroom management.
--Britt