Field Experience
Experience is something a future teacher can only gain by stepping completely out of their comfort zone and by entering a classroom environment for the first time. I have had the opportunity to work with students in a real classroom, and what I have learned so far is invaluable. I’ve already observed some different learning abilities of the students, different personalities, and a variety of different behaviors. I have experienced a day in the life of a teacher, and all the duties that this entails from taking attendance, to teaching lessons, grading papers, giving quizzes/tests, and reprimanding students. I am very excited about getting as much experience as I can working with students in different schools, alongside different teachers, and educators so when I step into my own classroom for the first time, I can be as prepared as possible to teach my students and make a difference in their lives.
Image: http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net/teacher_clipart.html
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Spring 2011
Diversity Day Event
Humphrey Elementary School (Fifth/Sixth Grade)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Hours: 4.0
Diversity Day was a huge success. Everyone had a positive experience learning many interesting facts about South America’s largest country, Brazil. There were fourteen 5th and 6th grade students from Humphrey Elementary School that were in our group, and they worked on a variety of different educational projects to demonstrate their understanding of what they were taught about Brazil’s culture. A Brazilian flag was created using construction paper, and a map of South America was colored. On the map, each student labeled the different countries in South America that bordered Brazil. They also identified the different bodies of water surrounding South America (the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea), and Brazil’s capital, Brasilia. We taught the students how to say a few words in Portuguese, which is the language most commonly spoken in Brazil. The students really enjoyed pronouncing the word for hello, “Oi”, and the word for goodbye, “Tchau.” I think the highlight of the event was when everyone got up on their feet and danced a few basic steps to the Samba, which is a popular Brazilian dance. As a future teacher, I understand how important it is for me to educate my students on the culture of many different countries. I want to expose my future students to the differences that occur in our world, and how these differences need to be accepted and embraced so we can all learn and grow together.
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Spring 2011
Mesquite Elementary School
Grade: 4th
Hours: 28.5
Diversity comes in many forms, and I had the opportunity to see this first-hand while working with my mentor teacher at Mesquite Elementary School. Through service learning at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, I was placed in a classroom with twenty-eight 4th graders. Nineteen of the students were boys, and the other nine were girls. I discovered how necessary it is for a teacher to have a classroom seating arrangement that is conducive for learning, especially if there are this many students in the class. I heard the way the teacher discussed classroom rules and procedures with her students, and saw how she had to reinforce these rules daily. I joined the entire 4th grade class on a trip to the Hieroglyphics Canyon in commemoration of Arizona’s birthday on February 14th. Interacting with the students during a read-aloud session was a very positive experience. I read the story, Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco, and the students then worked on a reader response activity that reinforced their comprehension of the story. Being prepared, organized, and positive are the keys to success that I learned during my time with these 4th graders. I cannot wait to have my very own classroom of students, so I can put into practice all the classroom management skills that I have been taught through this experience.
Mentor Teacher's Comments: "Regina is extremely organized and prepared! She has a good grasp already of the requirements needed to prepare and teach a lesson. The students love when she comes and are excited to work with her. She goes above and beyond expectations of her coursework. She volunteered and happily joined our grade level on a long & challenging field trip. Regina is also very flexible and easy going. It is a pleasure to work with her!"
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Spring 2011
Dr. Seuss Birthday Party
Humphrey Elementary School (Second Grade)
March 4, 2011
Hours: 4.0
“Boing”, “Boing” the Humphrey Elementary School 2nd grade students shouted with glee. They were sitting in a circle on the lawn at Chandler-Gilbert Community College listening intently to the book, “Gerald McBoing Boing”, by Dr. Seuss, that was being read aloud to them. This was just one of the many exciting activities that these students were involved in to celebrate, and commemorate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. “The Cat in the Hat” even made an appearance, and welcomed the Humphrey Elementary School students to join in the festivities. The students were then able to use their creative and imaginative minds, and worked on an artistic craft. They designed with stickers, and a variety of different decals red and white striped hats that looked very similar to the hat the character in “The Cat in the Hat” wore in his book. The highlight of the event was when everyone sang Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss, and enjoyed a delicious cupcake and juice. It was a very exciting day for everyone involved, and as a future teacher I was able to experience an extracurricular activity with these 2nd grade students that included reading, learning, laughing, and creativity.
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Dr. Seuss Birthday Party
Humphrey Elementary School (Second Grade)
March 4, 2011
Hours: 4.0
“Boing”, “Boing” the Humphrey Elementary School 2nd grade students shouted with glee. They were sitting in a circle on the lawn at Chandler-Gilbert Community College listening intently to the book, “Gerald McBoing Boing”, by Dr. Seuss, that was being read aloud to them. This was just one of the many exciting activities that these students were involved in to celebrate, and commemorate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. “The Cat in the Hat” even made an appearance, and welcomed the Humphrey Elementary School students to join in the festivities. The students were then able to use their creative and imaginative minds, and worked on an artistic craft. They designed with stickers, and a variety of different decals red and white striped hats that looked very similar to the hat the character in “The Cat in the Hat” wore in his book. The highlight of the event was when everyone sang Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss, and enjoyed a delicious cupcake and juice. It was a very exciting day for everyone involved, and as a future teacher I was able to experience an extracurricular activity with these 2nd grade students that included reading, learning, laughing, and creativity.
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Fall 2010
Settler's Point Elementary School
Grade: Special Education 1st and 4th
Hours: 30
Although there were never more than 10 students in the Settler's Point Elementary School special education resource classroom at one time, the volume of voices sometimes rose a little louder than the teacher would have liked at times. There were just two words that the teacher needed to say to the students to bring order to the class. Class! Class! The teacher would say in a firm voice, and in unison the students would reply, Yes! Yes! indicating they were listening to the teacher. Through service learning at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, I had the opportunity to help students study their multiplication tables using flash cards. I listened while the students read short stories aloud in class, and then after wards they had to take a comprehension test. I graded their papers when they finished. This gave me a good chance to see how well the students comprehended what they read. Working with learning disabled students is no more challenging than working with other students, although I did find that they require a little more time in order to complete their assignments. They also need instructions repeated more than once, and need one-on-one attention so they can remain focused on the tasks at hand. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit in on two Individual Education Program (I.E.P.) meetings. The invaluable experience I have gotten in working with these students will surely help me prepare for my own classroom. The biggest thing I took away from this experience is how to keep order in a classroom while teaching a lesson even though some students might have other things that they would rather be doing. My passion for teaching was reinforced by helping these bright and creative students with their lessons.
Settler's Point Elementary School
Grade: Special Education 1st and 4th
Hours: 30
Although there were never more than 10 students in the Settler's Point Elementary School special education resource classroom at one time, the volume of voices sometimes rose a little louder than the teacher would have liked at times. There were just two words that the teacher needed to say to the students to bring order to the class. Class! Class! The teacher would say in a firm voice, and in unison the students would reply, Yes! Yes! indicating they were listening to the teacher. Through service learning at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, I had the opportunity to help students study their multiplication tables using flash cards. I listened while the students read short stories aloud in class, and then after wards they had to take a comprehension test. I graded their papers when they finished. This gave me a good chance to see how well the students comprehended what they read. Working with learning disabled students is no more challenging than working with other students, although I did find that they require a little more time in order to complete their assignments. They also need instructions repeated more than once, and need one-on-one attention so they can remain focused on the tasks at hand. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit in on two Individual Education Program (I.E.P.) meetings. The invaluable experience I have gotten in working with these students will surely help me prepare for my own classroom. The biggest thing I took away from this experience is how to keep order in a classroom while teaching a lesson even though some students might have other things that they would rather be doing. My passion for teaching was reinforced by helping these bright and creative students with their lessons.
