Field Observation Reflective Paper

Field Observation Reflection Paper s Albany State University March 15, 2015

Field Observation Reflective Paper

Abstract Education is important. It helps improve individuals. I want a career in education as a third grade teacher. I want to potentially work in a Magnet School. Recently, I have spent a total of ten hours at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School. The experience was pure bliss. The teacher that I worked with offered me inside advice that I would not have received if not volunteering. I was given an extra push to become an educator with this experience.

Field Observation Reflective Paper

Education is the fundamental key of life. Education is an enlightenment experience; it provides a space where learning occurs. The purpose of education is to express, introduce, and produce skills that will intellectually and socially improve an individual. These skills help guide children and adolescent throughout life and experiences. Education expresses new ideas. These ideas evolve individuals to think critically and form their own ideas on lessons. Education also introduces new lessons in which will ultimately do the standardization and basics of education­the lessons. The skills that education provides are thinking critically, time management, and social skills. The social skills include speaking with others, making new friends, and sharing. Thus, education provides more than just the lesson. It implements and help forms abilities as well as the lesson plan. Education is where you become the best you! According to to David Orr, education is simply, “knowledge[that] carries with it the responsibility to see that it is well used in the world”. This is true education contains knowledge that broadens one's horizon. For instance when traveling overseas, English is considered a highly valued language. Thus giving individuals an advantage over people who does not. This semester, I have had the pleasure of sitting in and observing a classroom in one of Albany’s top prestigious school, Lincoln Elementary Magnet School. This school was amazing. The school shows all of the things that I think education should be­clean, inspirational, rigirous, safe, and full of class. Lincoln Elementary as a whole was beautiful. My first experience arriving at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School the atmosphere alone made me excited to explore the halls and classrooms. The outside of the building was brick; I have never seen a brick elementary school. Once I entered the building, I was directed to the front office, where the staff was very friendly, and directed me to meet the principal. The principal, Ms Lane, was very welcoming.

Field Observation Reflective Paper

She gave me tips about teaching for years at a time. She expressed how much she enjoyed her school. She then called one of her amazing teachers, Ms Sichali, to send one of her students to escort me. The organization within the school impressed me. The “little helper” escorted me to the classroom where I was greeted by Ms. Sichali’s students. They recited the classroom mission statement and welcome. That, itself ensured me that the classroom was brighter and full of learning. The students were well behaved and seemed to have strict rules. Their schedule in the time frame they were in there was also strict. She kept different bins and boxes to keep up with work, also for organization. The students spoke little to none and when they did, they raised their hand to be granted permission. The students engaged in various topics that I, myself was introduced in grades higher than fifth. The students appreciated the challenge which only made them more eager to answer the difficult questions. The children were very attentive. Ms Sichali used different methods of active learning such as Brain POP and Questions and Answer games. The students tended to lean toward the more active lessons rather than the the lessons where they were in the seats and just listening to lecture. Ms Sichali made sure each student was paying close attention by asking random question that contains a lot of detail. Ms. Sichali also gave the students a series of quizzes to also ensure the students were attentive. She also used worksheets such as Using Text Evidence “What was it like to be a girls 100 years ago”. This worksheet provided rigor. This worksheet applied concepts such as comparison. The vocabulary ranged in variety. The students who had difficulty expressed their frustrations to the teacher as well as to other students that they believed could help. When Ms Sichali did address the students that were

Field Observation Reflective Paper

having difficulties, she made sure that the conversation was only between the student was well as herself. She spoke to the children in a welcoming tone which made them feel comfortable. Education is a process in which individuals can learn and become themselves in one single experience. The experience of education allows every individual to express themselves and learn to become better thinkers. Teacher play a major role in education. Ultimately, the education experience depends on the teacher. The teacher acts as the C.E.O of the classroom. everything comes through he or she.Initiating a level of trust so that when the students are receiving criticism the will not be embarrassed. Though the school is based off structure and discipline, Ms Sichali did give her students freedom. She gave her students a variety of incentives that motivated them to complete their work with pride. The incentives included BUCKS, candy, and a chance for their work to be hung around the classroom and hallways. She also read some students work aloud. This methods of praising is one of many ways to motivate the students. For fun, the students enjoy singing songs and speaking to their friends. For instance, on Friday, Ms Sichali allowed the children to sit where they wanted; but if they were to act out, they would have to move back. She gave them one warning throughout the day, but overall they did very good. I was proud of them. They still continued to do their work, even better actually. I think that education is what the students, teachers, and parents, make it. With these three important elements, I believe the education process can go smoothly. When observing the classroom, I could relate to the methods and rigor of Lincoln Elementary Magnet School. I did receive magnet school from fourth grade to eighth and from ninth to twelve grade, I received

Field Observation Reflective Paper

education through a public charter. I believe a lot of impressive behavior comes from the rigorous work introduced. The majority of Magnet students are focused more on learning rather than playing. I have been in public schools then magnet schools and the transition alone is a lot. The experience at the school reminded me of my childhood, the uniforms, concepts, and challenges. These concepts are some in which inspired me to become a teacher. I want to be the C.E.O of my classroom. I believe that I have a true gift with children. For instance during lunch the class lunch break, I was invited to eat with the other fifth grade teachers including Ms. Sichali. We all sat and they gave me extra advice. They told me to make sure that teaching is what I want to persue. They listed the good such as having full summers off and the beauty of of having a full classroom to myself. They expressed the cons such as the possibility to have to work with difficult parents, behavior issues with students, and having a difficult classroom. They gave me advice on how to take on the task of classroom management. The gave me different scenarios and allowed me to answer them in the aspect of a teacher. This conversation just helped me further motivate me in becoming an educator. The teachers showed me new beauties of education. My favorite part of the experience was interacting with the children. I connected with a couple of students, but one student stood out to me the most. She was a student in Ms. Sichali’s class. Her name was Kailey and she reminded me of myself when I was fifth grade. She was timid, sweet, and very bright. I grew very intrigued to see how she would blossomed. Like myself in fifth grade, she was very motivated by her mother and had a trail of her own blaze. My least favorite part of the experience was leaving. I really enjoyed the overall experience. The students really opened up to me. They were bright and loving. The overall experience was beautiful. Though the

Field Observation Reflective Paper

experience is over, I plan to revisit the school on my own. I think the experience helped me and motivated me to become a teacher. I am looking forward to becoming an educator.