Children & schools Essay -- essays research papers

Fieldwork Paper Observation: For my observation program, I was placed in the Progressive School of Long Island, located in Merrick. I was assigned to work with Kindergartners under the supervision of teachers Jennifer Frank and Sangeeta Patel. It was explained to me that the students at this school learn at their own pace, and that is what separates them from public school children. They are usually ahead of children their age, however. For example, the Kindergartners I observed were learning from first grade math text books. The classroom was uniquely set up. There are no desks in the room, besides the teachers desk. Children sat at tables and chairs. Their books and supplies were kept in cubby's in the back of the room called, "Responsibility bins". For the most part, the teachers walked freely around the room instead of stationed at their desk. This is called an "open classroom". It was a style that was encouraged in the 1970's inside classrooms. There were two large wooden lofts inside the room. Children can climb ladders and sit on top of them. There was also an art table in the back corner of the room. The art table contained paper, markers, glue, crayons, scissors and glitter. Children were encouraged to be creative while in this area. There was also a computer area. The children are able to use them freely. The games on the computer are educational and were made fun for the students. Decorations were hung all over the walls as well. There were posters showing numbers and the alphabet, which the teachers and children go over each morning. There were also posters of shapes, animals and colors. In one corner there was a set of classroom rules for everyone to follow, including the teachers. Next to the rules was a "Superstar" chart. Each child has its own monthly chart. They are able to earn a star each day. However, if a child misbehaves, or breaks the rules, they lose their star for that day. For every eight stars a child earns, they get one big star on the "Superstar" chart. For every three stars they earn on that chart, they receive a token prize. This is considered token reinforcement. The charts are sent home with each child every month. On another wall wa... ...educational or social lives, however. Children who are in that business mature incredibly fast. Children need time to socialize and have fun. As for the child whose mother became ill with cancer, I would not know how to react to this situation with one of my students. I hope that the teachers understand and consider her situations before placing her in time out. I would want to be fair. However, I know that she would need to be punished if she misbehaved. On the other hand, I would want to be easier with her due to her family circumstances. Overall I enjoyed observing at the Progressive School. It was a completely different experience from any public school I had seen. I honestly feel that the notes I have taken and the times I experienced inside the classroom will help me through teaching when I have my own class. I like the styles of teaching that the teachers used. They acted more of the student's friends than an authoritative figure. I learned so many ways to react to different circumstances. I agree with most of the ways that the teachers handled everything. I hope to teach in this type of environment in the future.