Michaela Roller Dr.

McCarthy PS8 Michaela Roller

March 13, 2014 EDUC 205

At P.S. 8 I observed Mr. Russo and Ms. Lucas second grade classroom with two of my classmates. There were a ton of effective features at the school and very little ineffective features. The students were very respectful towards their teachers and the teachers showed the same amount of respect toward the students. The building was welcoming and full of friendly faculty, teachers, and students. First, Id like to point out the effective and ineffective features of the building and facilities. When entering the building it was evident that it was a school and that there were kids there. The lobby of the school was extremely effective; it was covered in students schoolwork and artwork. I was amazed at how alive the lobby looked, filled with colors and creativity that when walking down the hallways it felt less lively. I wished the hallways were decorated more like the lobby, I thought there should have been more of the students work on display in the hallways. Therefore, I found the hallways ineffective. Some more effective characteristics of the building were its library and its cleanliness. I also liked how the students sat in groups of fours and not in rows, I like that there were all different kinds of books around the classroom and not just in the library, and that there was students work hung up all around the classroom. Everything about the students behavior was effective. When Mr. Russo asked a question at least half the class raised their hands. The students were very engaged, comfortable, and respectful of their teachers and classmates. The only

thing that I would say was ineffective was that the students seemed a little confused as to who we were and why we were in the classroom. The teachers didnt introduce us or explain to the class why we were in their classroom. We also didnt get to interact with the students at all. Both teachers behaviors were very effective and it was clear that they loved teaching. They both interacted with their students and showed that they truly cared about what each and every one of them thought. When Mr. Russo was going over and quizzing then on what they had previously learned about insects, Ms. Luca sat on the carpet with the students and encouraged a shy student named Kayla to raise her hand. Mr. Russo also encouraged his students to participate and raise their hands. When he first asked a question only two or three students raised their hands, then he said Only two hand! I think more of you know the answer because I saw some great answers to your homework the other night! then most of the class raised their hands. Later in the class when the students were going to their desks, Mr. Russo gave them directions and had the students repeat what he wanted them to do several time then called on kids at random to say the directions. This I found extremely effective because by doing this quick little game he made it very clear as to what he want them to do. I also found it very effective when after a student answered a question, Ms. Luca or Mr. Russo thanked them and said something to praise or complement them and they said it from their heart, like they really meant it. One aspect that I found ineffective, but may be effective to others was that when the students were doing a worksheet, there was soft classical music playing in the background. Some kids werent fazed by the music but others looked a bit

distracted by it because one kid started pretending he was playing the piano, which distracted the other kids around him. I didnt get much of an opportunity to see the teachers instructions or the curriculum, but from what I witnessed in class I found effective. The teachers asked questions that gradually progressed into more challenging questions. Mr. Russo and Ms. Luca also asked questions that had various different answers. Some other features I found effective were that there was a class pet, which was a mouse, there were plants in the classroom, and that the classroom had tons on learning decorations such as a spelling word wall, a math word wall, a science word wall, and posters with songs about math and social studies. Lastly, when the vice principal, Bryan Gilligan, was talking to us he said that the school has Family Nights as much as they can, which I believe is super effective. I always think its great when parents get involved in their childrens school. Observing P.S. 8 was such a great experience and really assured me that teaching is something I want and need to do. It was good to see what was effective and ineffective about the different aspects of a school. I had so much fun and learned a lot from visiting P.S. 8, and cannot wait to begin my teaching career someday.