School/Classroom Description

This semester I was assigned to a third grade classroom. Immediately, I was astounded
with excitement and nervousness with the presentment of third grade, due to the fact that I had
never observed any other grade than fourth and sixth. Nonetheless, I began my field experience
as soon I could. When I arrived to Sheridan Elementary, the first person I encountered in the
office was one of my former students from the previous year. Immediately, I felt welcomed and
the nervousness went away. After signing in, I ventured the hallway to locate Ms. Polidores third
grade class.
The walk appeared so far away from the office. After exiting the office, I passed the fifth
grade classes, the counselors office and two pre-kindergarten classes. I exited the main building
and entered through the double doors; passing the early childhood playground, the fourth grade
wing and the kindergarten wing of the school. As I continued to venture along the hallway, I
passed the computer labs, the first grade wing and a set of restrooms at the intersection of the
hallways. But wait, I had yet to arrive! I ventured a little further passing the second grade wing,
the resource (small group) wing, the older childrens playground and another set of the restrooms
at the final intersection of the hallway. Sure enough, the eagerness to arrive at my destination had
overtaken me by now. I walked down a short sidewalk that veered to the left and ended in front
of the gym and library. I was certainly confused until I noticed that the library area was in the
center of the third grade classrooms. Happily, I had finally made it to Ms. Polidores classroom!
Upon entrance, Mrs. Polidores classroom was the second door on the right. I knocked
softly on her door. Of course, all of the students became antsy and excited because a visitor was
at the door of their classroom. I was greeted at the door by a student named Jada. As I entered

the classroom, I noticed that the classroom looked slightly different than other classrooms I have
visited. The first thing that I noticed was restrooms located in the back corner. I then noticed the
arrangement of the students in the classroom being seated in groups of four. There was a round
table in the rear of the classroom and a kidney table in the front of the classroom. The teacher
happened to be sitting at the kidney table helping students. In awe, I was amazed to view a great
model example of flexible groups for instructional teaching strategies arrangement within the
classroom setting.
There was a reading center across the classroom with plenty books of different genres
and a bench to sit on. Student had easy access to all instructional resources and materials located
in the rear of the room in the cubbyholes. In the cubbyholes were manipulatives, their
interactive notebooks, writing folders, pencils, paper, textbooks, class novels, weekly homework
folders and handouts for extra practice. The students were also able to use the computers to take
accelerated reader test and do student research.
There are twenty students in my class; eleven boys and nine girls. Ethnicity composition
of the classroom comprises: boys - one Caucasian, one Hispanic and nine African Americans;
girls nine African Americans. In the classroom there are flexible groups of five; an all-male
group, two groups of three males and one female, and two groups of three females and one male.
After being assigned at Sheridan Elementary School once before and working there with
National Professional Development (NPD) Program, I have grown to love Sheridan. Sheridan is
located in Orangeburg Consolidated District Five, in a rural area and is also is a Title I school.
Mr. Sammie Gordon is currently the principal and Ms. Tonya Ramey is the assistant principal.
There are 27 certified teachers, one math coach and one reading coach currently. There are 528

students currently with a 20:1 student teacher ratio. Sheridan believes in involving all
stakeholders parents, teachers, and community in the educational lives of every student
through innovative and challenging educational experiences. Students are also afforded
opportunities to utilize technology devices of various means computer, StarBoards, and IPads
to enhance their learning knowledge base. In support of these educational experiences for
meeting the needs of all students, Sheridan utilizes the instructional software program, Voyager
as a safety net to provide additional practice for student learning, school wide. In addition,
Sheridan maintains a partnership with the Twenty-First Century Afterschool Program which
incorporates STEM lessons (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for students.
Academically, based on the ACT Aspire Assessment given to students in grades 3 8 in
Spring 2015, Sheridan Elementary scores below proficiency in Reading, Math, and Writing
academic achievement percentage when compared to the schools in Orangeburg Consolidated
District Five, but achieves slightly higher in English proficiency. As a focus area for grade 3,
where I am assigned within the school setting, third grade achieves at a proficiency rate higher
than the schools overall data in all academic achievement percentages except writing. In the
academic areas of Science and Social Studies, Sheridans proficiency percentage rate is below
the Orangeburg Consolidated District 5 and the State which indicates students are not at a level
of proficiency for mastering the curricular standards of the South Carolina Palmetto Assessment
of State Standards (SCPASS) given to students in grades 4 8 in Spring 2015; see data
disaggregation charts below (ACT Aspire Data & SCPASS):

Sheridan
Elementary
Orangeburg
District 5
State
3rd Grade Focus

Data Source
Exemplary
Met
Not Met
Exemplary
Met
Not Met

Sheridan Elementary School

ACT Aspire Assessment Data
Spring 2015
English
Reading
Math
55.7%
16.9%
24.3%
54.2%
20.3%
27.5%
67.9%
55.9%

37.2%
17.6%

46.7%
35.3%

Sheridan Elementary School

SC Palmetto Assessment of State Standards
Spring 2015
Sheridan
Orangeburg
District 5
Science
0.7%
6.7%
35.8%
44.2%
63.4%
49.9%
Social Studies
8.2%
17.1%
44.8%
48.6%
47.0%
34.8%

Writing
12.6%
13.7%
24.4%
11.5%

State
22.7%
44.9%
32.3%
36.7%
39.2%
24.0%

Classroom Layout

Gallery

From this angle, you can see the teachers desk in

the corner, the bulletin board that display student
work, the white board that has the standards for
each subject listed, the teacher kidney table the
middle group and math posters along the wall at the
top.

From this angle, you can see the smart

board, writing posters along the walls, the
isolation desk in front of the teacher work
station and grouping of desk.

From this angle, you see the rear of the classroom

which is where the main entrance to the classroom
is located. These are cubbyholes that store student
materials. The round table is here for the teachers
assistant to have pullout grouping. Along the walls
and cubbyhole shelfs are posters/pictures used for social studies and science.

From this angle, the reading center is clearly seen. There is a bench available for seating with
two book shelves filled with books. The
word wall is also in the reading center.
Directly behind the reading center is the
student restroom.

This is the entrance to the classroom from the

library. It is the second classroom on the left.

Here is the bulletin board that has to be put up

monthly mandated by administration with a different
theme that displays student work.

This is the second entrance to the

classroom. It is formerly known as the
back door. Students use this door to exit
to go to lunch, the computer lab and
recess.

Located here, you can faintly see the older

childrens playground.

Located here is one of the restrooms accessible for the

male students. It is located adjacent from the back door
of the classroom.

This restroom is located around the corner

from the male restroom. It is accessible to
female students on the second grade wing as
well as the students on the resource wing.

Located here is the guidance counselors

office. It is located in the main building.

Located here is a view of the lobby. One the fifth

grade classroom is seen to the right as the entrance
to main hallway begins.

Located here is the entrance to the front office.

There is seating space is generally occupied
during dismissal.

Located here is the main entrance to the school.