Practicum In Education

Observation Report

Name: Sarah Tilton

Name of School: Fisher Elementary
Principals Name: Nancy Fatheree
Assistant Principals Name: Jayce Jamar
School Receptionist: Ms. Owen
School Phone: 469-633-2600
Teachers Name: Mrs. Thakkar Grade: 3rd Room #:308
You will have two observation days in your centers in which to compile
information for this assignment. This is an assignment that you will share with our
class and turn in for a grade.

Number of students in the 1st class: 11 boys + 9 girls = 20 students

Number of students in the 2nd class: 9 boys + 11 girls = 20 students

****Attach a copy of the daily/weekly schedule.

NAMES of students:
Thakkar: Eliot, Tristan, Maddison, Hannah, Sebastian, Luke, Brady, Lainey,
Layne, Trip, Audrey, Carson, Matthew, Cohen, Saif, Kacey, Natalie, Ella,
Michael

Kilmer: Harnoor, Sawyer, Mary, Melena, Sarah, Georgia, Jake, Oliver,

Alexis, Connor, Tejas, Micah, Olivia, Grace, Nicole, Allison, Shawn,
Savannah, Anaya, Riley
Size of classroom door: 3x6.5 ft
Size of bulletin board: 49x39

Draw the classroom:

1. Describe your first impression of the school (faculty, atmosphere, student).

 Everybody seems very organized and quiet. Halls were empty of students, but full
of trophies and posters about Fisher. Staff was very helpful.

2. Describe the classroom where you will be working. Is it bright, cheerful,

etc.? Tell how it is decorated, etc. Describe the feeling you have from being in the
room.

Classroom is absolutely adorable! Lots of organization, cute color scheme, and

the room is set up neatly. I feel nostalgic and excited!

3. What subjects and activities did you observe? Give specific examples:

I got to watch science class, and the teacher, Mrs. Thakkar did a demonstration on
Matter. Students wrote down what they noticed and learned.

4. Where are the students supplies stored?

Students keep their supplies in their desks, in small green tubs. These tubs they
use to change classes when they go to Mrs. Kilmers room for english and Social Studies.

5. Where are the general supplies stored?

The back of the classroom is full of markers, crayons, scissors, pencils, etc. in
small tubs.

6. Where is the teacher-workroom located? What equipment are you allowed

to use in the workroom?

The teachers at Fisher dont use their workroom, as most of the equipment in
there is old and broken.

7. List your first impressions of the teacher. Is she cheerful, bright, enthused,
etc.? How does she/he interact with the children?

Mrs. Thakkar was not what I expected. She was very nice, but seemed very
unorganized, as opposed to her classroom. But perhaps that is just part of being a teacher.
I can't wait to get to know her better!
 8. What are some general impressions of the children as a group? Do they
interact well? Is there a leader? Are some of the children very quiet? How do they
get along as a group?

The kids all seem to be enthusiastic and easily excited. A few students are more
talkative than others, but the entire class seemed happy and friendly.

9. What teaching methods did you observe?

Mrs. Thakkar has the children all sit on a rug with clipboards while she teaches
them the lesson of the day. She uses experiments to show the children what they are
learning instead of just teaching them.

10. Did you observe any discipline problems? How were they handled?

One student has behavioral and anger issues, and was given many chances to do
what he was told. After that, he had to stay inside for the first five minutes of recess.

11. Does the teacher have a behavior chart, Sad Book, etc.?

No, but Fisher bucks work in the same way.

12. Does the teacher give the children positive reinforcement? Stickers,
stamps on paper, marbles in jar?

They have a cash system, Fisher Bucks, which are redeemable for prizes and cool
privileges, such as line leader, sitting in the teachers chair, etc.
Practicum and Education
Observation Report
Day 2
Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social Development

1. Describe the physical characteristics of the students that are in your

classroom. Include how students dress, physical changes, and use of large and fine
motor skills.

Students are talkative, and most of them are still young enough for inter-gender
friendships, though I notice the formation of cliques beginning. All students seem to read
and write well.

2. What activities were the students involved in while you were observing?
What methods did the teacher use to check for student learning? Did there appear to
be any children that had difficulty with learning the concept that the teacher was
teaching? What did the teacher do to encourage learning? How did the teacher help
those students who may have learning difficulties?

Mrs. Thakkar asked students questions about the material, and involved the class
during the learning process. Olivia seemed to be having some issues understanding the
material, but she didnt ask any questions, and when Mrs. Thakkar asked her, she said she
was fine. However I could tell that she was not.

3. What emotions did you see expressed during your observations? Watch
only the boys in your classroom for 10 minutes and write down your observations.
(BE THOROUGH!!)

Boys like to be physical. They high five and punch each other. They also name-
call, but nothing harsh. Just slow-poke, and a few other sports related teases. The boys
seem happy, and like theyre enjoying learning and the time spent in the classroom.
However, the countdown to recess is intense. Every three minutes or so, someone checks
the clock to let the class know 26 minutes!

4. Watch the girls for 10 minutes? What emotions did you see expressed
during this time? (BE THOROUGH!!)

Girls whisper a lot. They like to talk and walk around and talk some more. They
play with their hair while they work, whisper to their friend sitting next to them, and
giggle when the boy across from them says something funny. Some of the girls are very
quiet, while others are bubbly and outgoing.
 5. Was there a lot of socialization going on in the classroom? What did your
teacher do when students talked during class? What method does your teacher use
to get the students attention? Did your teacher have control of the class or were the
students unruly and out of control?

Mrs. Thakkar claps and shushes students to get them to pay attention. If those
dont work, she starts rewarding the quiet students with Fisher Bucks.Usually their class
is good and respectful when they need to be. However, they all seem to be friends still, so
there is a lot of socializing.