Pre-School Observation Form

Observer Name: Zak Hendren

Date: 1/27/16

Site/School: The Goddard School

Teacher Name(s): Multiple

Description of Education Setting

Approximate Age (or Age Range) of Children: 6months-K
Description of Teacher & Learning Environment: Many different classrooms where they all learned
Spanish and sign language. The kids were extremely happy to be exactly where they were they had
many friends and wonderful teachers.
Student Learning
Academic & Cognitive Skills: They knew Spanish
and sign language, the kids were very attentive
and well behaved.

Physical Development & Life Skills: The kids all

worked together to play many different games.

Observations
Student-to-Student Interactions: The kids played well with others and participated in class activities
like songs and dances.

Teacher-to-Student Interactions: The teachers were clearly very caring of each and every kid, they
demonstrated it by working with kids as young as 6 months to begin teaching them at that early age.
The teachers wanted to be there, they were not there to make a living but to better the kids
academically. Each teacher I observed did not move on till every single kid was on the same page, I
specifically remember one teacher (around pre-k ages) doing Simon Says before lunch and
reminded the kids that when you got out it was not a loss but actually a win because youll get to eat
lunch before anyone else.
Analysis
Inferences about this education setting (about the children, about the
Other Notes:
school, what it would be like to teach here and teach these children, etc)

I feel like it would be very enlightening to teach here and see

the students literally grow up, youll see the same kids day after
day. I feel like the teachers go home every day satisfied with
what they did. I think that the kids love exactly where they are
because of the atmosphere that is set up for them.
The BIG QUESTION:
What made this an appropriate or inappropriate atmosphere for learning?
It was appropriate because they had all the necessary tools they needed right there in the building.
Everyone was there because they care for the kids futures and want to watch them succeed.

Visiting this school truly showed me a different look on some of the teachers who
is in the career. No teacher is in it for the money but these truly demonstrate that.
Because its private theyre most likely paid less but do a lot more work than a normal.
They teach sign language and Spanish in all classes, and almost act as a day care
since they have as young as 6 months. Each and every teacher is there to watch the
kids through their early life stages and to see them succeed and be there for each and
every kid so that when he/she starts to fail theyre there to cushion their fall and get
them right back up.
Looking back on this I do not remember seeing many with special needs. I did
notice a few that were probably ADHD but I didnt notice any with anything further than
this. Each kid was happy with the assignment they were currently doing. I did not see
any book work or anything boring for the kids. Every lesson I watched was involved
paint, dance and song. Most activities had the kids up and moving around the
classroom.
This school truly does inspire me although, I wouldnt want to work here because
of the age groups. Goddard showed me how hard kids could actually be. I dont think I
want to be with this age group because of how hyper they can be, but I wouldnt mind
exploring the kids more.

Written Reflection
Write a 2-3 paragraph reflection, discussing your critical reflection of this experience. What was your
reaction to this learning environment, the students, the teachers, and the facility? What did you learn
and what did this experience make you think about in terms of education?
Here are some questions to get you thinking about what to write:

What was your impression of this school from the outside, main lobby, or hallways?
What age group(s) did you observe?
What lessons were being taught? What types of learning styles were used?
How was PLAY incorporated into learning?
What assessments or strategies were being used? Do you think they were effective?
Were the students engaged in the lesson?
Do you think there were any students with special needs in the class?
What did you like/dislike about this teacher/classroom?
What questions do you have as a result of this experience?
What, if any, connections did you see between our VTFT curriculum and this education setting?

Type your reflection and submit it on Edmodo. Due date: ________________

Refer to the following rubric for how you will be graded. See Mrs. Free if you have any questions!

VTFT Reflective Essay Rubric

Name: ________________________________ Due Date: ___________ Date Submitted: __________
Reflection Assignment: __________________________________________________________________

Description
Includes many specific details about time & place, gives focused
descriptions of the area, students, teachers, etc.
Analysis
Looks to the how/why behind what was observed and experienced.
Makes strong connections and interprets scenarios with insight.
Application
Discusses how this relates to the overall field of education, what
could be done in the future, how this could be personally applied.
Personal Connection
Shares personal reaction to events observed, favorite moments and
why, reflects on whether you would do things the same way, keeps
positive perspective overall.
Grammar/Spelling/Mechanics
Reflection is typed, polished, edited. Very few errors/ typos.
Professional yet conversational language.

Excellent &
Thorough!

Well
done!

Mentioned
but not
Developed

Incomplete

Missing
from this
Reflection

Total: _____/25
(x2 in gradebook)