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CSN Education Department - Field Observation Activities Packet

Greetings Future Educator,

One of the most rewarding aspects of EDU 201 is the opportunity you’ll have to observe in a school classroom where students are actively engaged in learning. Each of these three CSN courses require all students to complete a 10 hour "Field Observation" in a Clark County public school.

Once your placement is processed, you will receive details regarding your assigned school from your CSN professor. Only then, will you contact the school and meet with your CCSD “cooperating teacher”. Both you and your cooperating teacher will design a mutually agreeable schedule to complete your required contact hours once you meet for the first time.

Within this packet, you will find the required field experience assignments and other documents that you must complete in order to pass this class.

Your Name: >>>

CSN Course: EDU 201 Intro. to Elementary Education

Professor: Connie Christensen

Professor’s email: [email protected]

CCSD School: >>>

Cooperating Teacher: >>>

BEFORE ARRIVING ON THE FIRST DAY...

1. Locate your assigned school on a map, or via the CCSD website, and arrive during the Initial Visitation Week dates provided to you by your CSN instructor. This initial visit will be your chance to gather information about your

CSN Field Observation Packet © CSN Education Department 2017 Page 1

assigned cooperating CCSD teacher. School locations and other information can be found on the CCSD web site at http://ccsd.net/schools/contact-information/ 2. Pre-plan for an on-time arrival, and make sure that all interaction with CCSD employees and students is respectful, courteous, and professional. You are a guest in their school, and a representative of this class and the college. CCSD is allowing you to visit their school to further your understanding of the teaching profession. It is imperative that your actions reflect a willingness to learn, and are reflective of a future professional educator. 3. The first half of your field observation/experience will be centered around learning about the school you were assigned, and focusing on the general and unique characteristics of its culture. You will be looking at and reflecting upon things that are going on in the classroom at the school level that you were assigned. You are simply observing during this time. Your cooperating teacher will give you guidance on how your experience can be expanded beyond simple observations, when he/she feels comfortable with your professionalism and skills.

UPON ARRIVAL THE FIRST DAY…Check in at the school office and let the Office Manager know that you are a CSN Education student who has been placed with a cooperating teacher at their school for Field Observation. Be patient while the information you’ll need is located by the Office Manager. The request for placement came through Interact™ from our Field Observation Coordinator, and has been pre-approved by the school’s administrator. During this initial visit, some of you may be sent directly to the classroom to meet your cooperating teacher, some of you may be given contact information for the cooperating teacher, and then will return on a different day for your first classroom visit.

UPON ARRIVAL TO THE CLASSROOM…Introduce yourself to your assigned Cooperating Teacher. Since this is your first visit, ask the teacher where he/she would like you to sit while you complete your observation hours for this CSN Introduction to Education class. Show the teacher this “Field Observation Activities Packet”, as well as the last 3 pages which contain the “Cooperating Teacher Information”, the “Time Log” and “Field Observation Student Evaluation” pages. Let the teacher know that you will be taking notes during the observation for your packet assignments, and that you will be asking him/her to verify your hours of attendance, and evaluate your participation once the total observation hours are complete.

DEPARTMENT OF TEACHER EDUCATION FIELD EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Standards of ConductYou are student representatives of the CSN Education Department and the teaching profession. Candidates are expected to maintain high standards of personal and professional ethics.

Attendance and PunctualityRegular attendance and punctuality are mandatory. Once you plan a schedule with the cooperating teacher, this becomes an agreement in which you are expected to adhere to. You are expected to sign in and out at the school (as required by the school office and/or program). In case of illness or emergency, you must contact the assigned school and let them know you will not be in attendance on that day so they can notify your cooperating teacher.

RelationshipsYou should exercise respectful discretion when voicing your personal views. It is important that your demeanor and opinions remain confidential. Under no circumstances can information about any students be released to, or discussed with, any unauthorized person. It is forbidden to have any contact with students outside of the classroom you are assigned. This restriction also includes CSN students contacting CCSD students using any electronic means or through the use of social media.

Dress CodeCSN Department of Education wants you to be a success. Therefore we have established a dress code for students fulfilling their observation requirement in the assigned school district. Appearance creates credibility; make a good first impression by dressing professionally.CSN Field Observation Packet © CSN Education Department 2017 Page 2

Required Acceptable Attire: Males:

• Shirts with collars• Ties (optional) with button down shirts• Khakis, trousers, slacks; belts if pants have loops, (no sagging, rips or tears)• Simple jewelry• Shoes and socks that cover the toes and heels

Females:• Shirts or blouses that cover the shoulders & waist; no see-through or mesh• Sweaters worn over shirt• Pants, pantsuits, khakis, trousers, slacks (no sagging, rips or tears)• Jumpers, dresses, skirts (in length from 2" above the knee to the ankle) • Shoes and socks that cover the toes and heels• Leggings worn under dresses/skirts/jumpers• Simple jewelry or none• Little (daytime) make-up

Not Acceptable Attire: jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter tops, muscle T-shirts, tight fitting clothing, warm-ups, sandals, flip flops, stilettos; no cleavage showing, no sagging or frayed hems; no head covering except for religious reasons, such as a yarmulke or turban-like. No nontraditional hair colors/styles. Undergarments and tattoos should be covered. Remove facial jewelry. No perfume. *School principal/supervisor has the sole discretion on questionable clothing or appearance that distracts from student learning.

Classroom Conduct:At all times, the cooperating teacher maintains legal responsibility for pupils in his or her classroom. You should never assume that responsibility and be left unsupervised with children. You should not discipline students. You are an observer, who should take notes to discuss during your next education class meeting, or to record in your Field Observation packet.

Professional Conduct:Never speak to staff or students in an abusive manner.Never touch or be alone with a student for any reason.Never give a student food, drink, or other items without the teacher’s permission.Never take photos/video of students or staff without written permission from the principal.Never make or accept calls/text using any communication device.

CCSD WAIVERS

Review the terms of the CCSD Waiver Forms provided by your instructor. “Student Statement of Responsibility” (Exhibit B) “Student Confidentiality Statement” (Exhibit C)

Print, sign with a pen and submit the waivers as instructed by your CSN instructor. These 2 waiver documents MUST be agreed to in order to secure your observation placement. Completion of the Field Observation is a PASS/FAIL component of the course.

THE FIELD OBSERVATION PACKET


Read through all the assignments and take notes during your observation visits. You will gather information on more than one assignment during an observation. Then, using your notes answer the questions for each assignment.

All assignments must be Word Process except the classroom diagram. Your detailed responses to assignment questions must demonstrate careful analysis of the questions and the observation information.

Questions responses must include detailed explanations and examples from the classroom observation. All responses must be written as complete sentences.

Do not include the questions. Use only the question numbers and include a reference to the questions in the short essay response as demonstrated below:

Assignment One - Question 1: What is your first impression of the classroom environment?

Response: The classroom environment is friendly and welcoming to the students and seems a fun place to learn. The classroom is decorated with the students’ work, interesting posters and the teacher shows respect to the students.

When it is time to submit the Field Observation Packet for grading: print the cover page of the Field Observation Packet, include all the observation assignments include your Time Log and Cooperating Teacher Evaluations.

THE FIELD OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENTS

ASSIGNMENT #1 (Observation)

1: What are your first impressions of the classroom environment? Is it warm, inviting, organized, etc? Describe the physical environment in detail.

2: Please describe the student make-up of the class, including gender, ethnicity, ELL, students with physical challenges, and any other apparent attributes that are important to note.

3: Are their posted class rules? If rules are posted write them exactly as they appear.

4: Does the teacher enforce these posted rules? What rewards or consequences are used for compliance or noncompliance?

ASSIGNMENT #2 (Classroom Layout): Use graph paper or drawing software to create an accurate overhead view, labeled drawing, of your assigned classroom. Then answer the questions below

>>>INSERT YOUR DRAWING HERE<<<

1: Describe the workflow of the room. Is the space used efficiently?

2: In your opinion, how can the physical arrangement of the room be improved?


ASSIGNMENT #3 (Instruction): Observe any instructional time in your assigned classroom, and record your observations when presented with the questions below:

1: What is the posted daily/weekly schedule for different subjects or periods?

2: Is instruction delivered in small groups, centers, whole groups, individually?

3: Describe your cooperating teacher’s teaching style.

4: How does the teacher incorporate the sensory modalities (learning styles)? Give examples.

5: Do the students seem engaged in the lesson(s) presented? Please explain.

6: Are there any students isolated from the rest of the class? Explain?

7: How does the teacher handle transitions from subject to subject or activity to activity? Are the transitions efficient?

8: List ways the teacher uses “attention getting” commands, word phrases, signals, etc. Are they effective?

9: What specific behavior issues does the teacher have to deal with? How does the teacher handle the behavior issues? Be specific.

10: Are there any policies or procedures that help or hinder instructional time? Please explain them and how they help or hinder instructional time.

ASSIGNMENT #4 (Culture): Using the questions below, carefully observe and evaluate the culture of the school.. Remember you are evaluating the school for its educational culture, place of learning, sense of safety, invitation for learning, promotion of self-actualization, development of values and socialization.

Physical Characteristics: Look at the physical areas of the school to determine atmosphere, comfort, and feelings the school creates for students in the educational setting.

1. Consider the school property: building, grounds, fencing, equipment, landscaping, trees, parking lot, crosswalks, gates, signs and symbols. Describe in detail.

2. Next, study the interior of the school: halls, floor coverings, lighting, doors, windows, hall colors and decorations and entrance security. Explain in detail.

Culture of the School: Read, listen and observe to determine the climate, values, and atmosphere within the school.

1. Explain the school’s mission statement, motto, and mascot.

2. Analyze staff and visitor interactions in the main office. Note student and faculty interactions in other areas of the school.

3. Observe student-to-student interactions, inside and outside of the building. Observe where students gather to socialize – lunchroom, halls, common areas, playground, etc.

4. Explain how the school is organized- office, library, halls/classrooms, signs.


5. Examine school traditions, achievements and awards; community recognition or community partners; extracurricular activities/clubs and athletics. Look for and document sources of community pride and sense of identity through ceremonies, assemblies, trophies, and artifacts.

Culture of the Classroom: Each classroom has its own culture and way of life.

1. Look for teacher expectations for learning and success.

2. Evaluate the level of student participation in the class. Who participates? Who does not?

3. Evaluate the interactions between teacher and students, rapport, cohesiveness, distribution of power, teacher personality.

ASSIGNMENT #5 (Cooperating Teacher Interview): Arrange for a convenient time to interview your cooperating teacher. Ask the questions below. Include any school document, handouts, etc. the teacher provides..

1: What was the primary reason you became a teacher?

2: What are the main challenges you face as a teacher?

3: What is the best part of being a teacher?

4: How do you determine where students sit in class?

5: How do you select members of any flexible groups?

6: How often do you interact with parents in person? What are the main reasons for interactions with parents?

7: How much grading do you complete on a daily/weekly basis?

8: How long does it take to prepare lessons for the day/week?

9: What procedures or strategies do you use to maximize instructional time?

10: What positive reinforcements you used successfully? What behavioral consequences seem most effective with this age group?

11: How are specialist teachers involved in your instructional planning and process?

12: How often are you evaluated, and what measurement tool is used by the administration for determining your teaching performance?

13: What consequences are there if your evaluation is not favorable?

14: What surprised you most about teaching as a profession?


ASSIGNMENT #6 (Observing a student): Discretely observe one student in your assigned classroom during direct instruction. Explain what the student did during the observation. Summarize the lesson given and the student’s responses to the lesson. Make sure to document ALL behavior in relationship to what was being presented by the classroom teacher. Please describe what you discovered about the student’s learning styles, involvement in class, and his/her educational needs.

ASSIGNMENT #7 (Summary): Thoroughly summarize and reflect upon your entire 10 hour Field Observation. What did you observe, learn, realize about teachers, students, instruction, the school environment? How has this observation better prepared you to understand the teaching profession? How does the observation relate to the text information and class activities? What specific ideas on teaching will you remember to include in your classroom?

Remember that before receiving the final grade for this EDU 201 course, the CSN student must submit the completed Field Observation Activities Packet, Time Log, and Student Evaluation to the CSN instructor for grading.

The cooperating teacher must also email the instructor to confirm the successful completion of the observation. The student must also provide the CCSD cooperating teacher with their CSN professor’s email, so the cooperating teacher can send an email to verify that the student has successfully completed the 10 hours of observation.

The instructor’s email is provided on the first page of this packet, and on the next page for the cooperating teacher.

Remember that completion of the Field Observation is a PASS/FAIL component of the course.

Remember to save this completed packet in digital form, and as a hard copy for the Education Department’s capstone course, (EDU 299)


COOPERATING TEACHER INFORMATION - CSN FIELD OBSERVATIONS

Dear Cooperating Teacher,

Thank you for assisting in the preparation of a new generation of Nevada teachers. Our education majors are required to complete 10 field observation hours in:

EDU 201 Introduction To Elementary Education

This class is where many of our students actually make the decision whether they will continue further study of the profession. We appreciate you joining us in providing these students with a wonderful first experience in the classroom. If at all possible, please utilize the student to assist you in supervised classroom instructional activities if you deem them ready.

We are hopeful that the information we have enclosed with this letter, which has been approved by the Nevada College Consortium, will help you with a clear sense of how this field experience works.

When the student has completed his/her required observation hours, please complete and sign the “FIELD OBSERVATION TIME LOG” and “FIELD OBSERVATION STUDENT EVALUATION” (along with the student). Then, return these two pages to the student who will submit them to his/her professor. For your convenience, the student has provided you with CSN contact information below. Please contact the CSN instructor if there are any questions or concerns.

Also, before a final grade for EDU 201 can be assigned, the CSN professor MUST receive your official email verification that the student successfully completed the 10 hour observation. Please also “cc” the student on this email. The student WILL NOT receive a final grade in the course until the email is received from you.

CSN Course # & name: EDU 201 Intro. to Elementary Education

CSN Professor: Connie Christensen CSN Professor’s phone: 702-651-4803 CSN Professor’s email: [email protected] Student’s name: Student’s email:

Should you have any concerns or questions about this process, please feel free to contact the instructor directly, or the CSN Education Department at: (702) 651-4400.


TIME LOG - CSN Field Observations

CSN Student: >>>

CSN Instructor: >>>

CCSD School Assigned: >>>

CCSD Cooperating Teacher: >>>

CCSD Grade/Department: >>>

CCSD School Principal: >>>

CCSD School Phone & Fax: (702) >>> (702) >>>

Record accurate data for all school visitations in the table below

DATE START TIME END TIME HOURS TEACHER INITIALS

TOTAL HOURS:

Cooperating Teacher Signature: _______________________________ Date: ___________________

FIELD OBSERVATION STUDENT EVALUATION - completed by Cooperating CCSD teacher


Please complete the following evaluation using the Performance Indicator Scores below (with the student) once the total observation hours are met. Your constructive comments are extremely valuable to the student. Return this page to the student along with their Time Log to be submitted with the completed observation packet

Enter the appropriate “Performance Indicator Score” in the spaces below

(4)=exemplary (3)=consistent level (2)=not consistent (1)=lacking _____ Professional appearance, adherence to CCSD dress code

_____ Reliability, punctuality

_____ Communicates effectively with teachers and staff

_____ Demonstrates manners, graciousness

_____ Reflects upon observations using critical thinking

_____ Demonstrates enthusiasm and curiosity toward the profession

_____ Models respectful behavior with students

_____ Uses appropriate language

_____ Exhibits pre-service educator success indicators

Comments: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cooperating Teacher’s Signature: __________________________________ Date:__________


Documents

Weebly · Web viewAll assignments must be Word Process except the classroom diagram. Your detailed responses to assignment questions must demonstrate careful analysis of the questions