Name:

Jessica Wobus
Ms. Sue Nanninga
Date: 4/15/2015
School and High School

Fieldwork Teacher:
Fieldwork School: Perry Lecompton Middle

Directions: Please answer the following questions thoroughly, citing evidence

from your eight hours of classroom observation. Submit this assignment typed
in a Word Document via BlackBoard. (Each question is worth 0.5 points, the
assignment is worth 6 points total.)

Observing Your Fieldwork Experience Teacher

Teacher Observation Section:
1 Give three examples of how the teacher met the individual needs of the
diverse learners in the classroom.
Since this was a special education classroom Ms. Nanninga used many ways
to meet the needs of her learners. For Luke, she made lots of modifications
since he was nonverbal. One time she photocopied a story and cut out
animals and had him reorder the animals in how they appeared to practice
retelling. For Dylan, she had him more focused on his work by having him
write down notes on stuff instead of typing so that way he could actually
focus. For Jacob, she often had to sit down and explain problems through
with him and have him think about it.
2 Give examples of how the teacher encouraged a positive learning
environment?
For Luke, she made use of a reward system. When he did something right
she gave him a Starbust, some lemonade or yogurt, or some type of treat.
She also had an end of day sheet for Luke to decide if he was happy, sad, or
angry. For Dylan they have issues with him grunting when he gets really
frustrated, so they always encouraged him to calm down.
3 Give examples of how the teacher kept students engaged in their
learning?
For Luke it was 100% 1 on 1 instruction. She constantly asked questions and
had him get answers. For Dylan they let him do things on his own but helped
him along the way if he got frustrated.
4 Give examples of how the teacher demonstrated mastery of the subject
that they are teaching?
It was clear that Ms. Nanninga has experience in special education; she was
very good at being able to modify things for all of her students to do such as
with Luke and constantly modifying by using different types of retelling,
letter manipulation, sign language, etc.
5 Give examples of how the teacher made their academic subject relevant
to their students lives?

This is kind of a hard one, but I could say that for when they talked about the
weather every day she always had him look out the window and see if the
sun was out.
6 Give examples of how the teacher used formative or summative
assessments to make sure the students are learning?
At the end of the day she created update sheets for Lukes mom and had
he put what they learned today, what his favorite part was, and what his
mood was.
Luke, end of day assessment, what did we learn sheet for mom

7 Explain how the teacher used at least five different instructional

strategies to increase student learning?
Obviously Ms. Nanninga did an incredible job of addressing special needs
students; she created many modifications for all of her students. She also did
lots of direct instruction because of this. In her instruction she also focused
on key words for Luke, such as more or types of weather and animals. She
also made frequent use of nonlinguistic representation by using sign
language for their communication and also using manipulatives to practice
things like letters. She also used praise/recognition by creating a rewards
system for getting things right and then posting good work on the wall.
8 Give three examples of how the teacher motivated students to learn.
Ms. Nanninga was constantly working with Jacob to get him focused on
getting his work done and taking away things like Club time. They also
motivated Dylan by saying we can go walk around once you finish this. A
random example with Carissa happened, she frequently said no, but by my
last visit they were able to get her start saying yes to things.
9 Give an example of how the teacher made their expectations known and
applied consequences when necessary? Do you feel that the situation
was resolved effectively? Explain.
In our last visit Jacob wanted me and Roni to come play board games with
him at his club. However he did not do his math assignment during class so
he had to stay in Ms. Nanningas room and finished it. He was not working on
it at all so Ms. Nanninga texted his mom and said Jacob wont be making it
home on time, and made him stay after school till he finished the job.
Last visit, Jacob club board games, not doing his work. Texted his mom
saying Jacob will be
Teacher Interview Section:
10 How does the teacher plan to make sure that each student learns?
Ms. Nanninga uses lots of modifications in her teaching. Thats the nature of
special education. She also tries to engulf the students in whatever they are
doing: its the 10th ok lets talk about dimes or lets practice counting to 10.
She gets material for Luke from the Kindergarten teachers and then modifies
it to his abilities from there.
11 How is the teacher working to become a better teacher?

Ms. Nanninga already has her masters degree in special education, but she
had lots of prior experience with professional development and working with
other teachers and used to be a trainer. She believes as well that special
education is all about experience, when you do it for 20 years you learn on
the job what works and doesnt work.
12 What does the teacher do outside of the classroom to help their
students?
For Dylan they have him volunteer at many outside jobs, such as sorting and
returning books at the library, sorting and folding clothes at a clothing
donation store, and helping the cafeteria ladies and janitors with odd jobs.
Their goal is to have him to have some life skills when he graduates so he
can get a job.