https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086 Andover Middle School Observation Reflection en-us 2021-02-24 20:01:44 UTC 2021-02-24 21:07:48 UTC hello@padlet.com mariahbuffum https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238319153 It was a really interesting experience because the classes were hybrid. Each teacher had a setup where they could interact with the students on zoom and interact with the students in the class. The 6th grade English teacher, Mrs. Henry had a 3 computer set up so she could screen share the lesson while being able to see the students on zoom, and could see what all of the kids were doing on their computers, it really seemed like a lot to juggle. The 6th grade advanced math teacher, Mrs. Tittsworth had placed the iPad full of students on zoom in front of the classroom, so they could see their peers and it gave them the allusion that they were still in the classroom. It was a very interesting dynamic to see how both students and teachers are handling school during the pandemic. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:09:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238319153 mariahbuffum https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238355364     It was really fascinating to see Ms. Renoux teach her FACS class because she stated several times that she wasn't teaching them how to sew or cook specifically, but was teaching them life skills such as listening to and following instructions, the importance of time management, and making sure to turn your work in on time.  Even when I asked the students what they are learning from this class, they mentioned more of the life skills rather than skills associated with the specific sewing projects they were doing. She felt it was really important to treat each student with respect, and expected that same respect in return. 
   
 The interactions between students in most classes, were actually really respectful and playful. Most of the classes I observed were 6th graders, so they seemed to really eager to learn and listen to what the teachers were saying. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:19:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238355364 mariahbuffum https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238404297 One thing that I noticed immediately is that the schools are all indoors here, which is because of the weather. In California, where I went to school, only the classrooms were inside, and we walked outside from building to building, rather than it being one large building. The building was also sectioned off between grades and the subject of classes. 6th grade had their own block, but foreign language and the arts were also in a separate block of the building. The English classes are allotted 2 periods (90 minutes) per class, whereas every other class is the standard 1 period (45 minutes) long. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:32:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238404297 mariahbuffum https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238439181      In Mrs. Lytton's Intro to Spanish class, there is a SpEd child who has down syndrome named Blake, and he works with a para. He was very distracted to see that I was there, but he interacted with me, and they said that it was very rare for him to interact with those he wasn't familiar with. The second day I observed Mrs. Lytton's class was Blake's birthday, and they sang him happy birthday and Mrs. Lytton gave out cheez-its to the whole class since that was his favorite snack. It was a fun little experience that I got to share with them.
   
   Another experience that I had was in Ms. Renoux's class, a student had shown up with scratches all over her hands that appeared to be self-harm, and she told me that she was seen by the counselor the day before. She had pulled me aside to show me how to message the counselor about her concern, and that it's best to do it in a way that doesn't draw attention to the students. She also explained that it's up to the teacher's discretion on how to handle that, because while she directly messaged the counselor about this student, if it was another student, she may have pulled them aside and talked to them directly about what was going on. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:42:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238439181 mariahbuffum https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238487459 I really liked Mrs. Henry's attitude, even when she was super frustrated with zoom, and the dynamic of trying to teach students online and keep them as engaged as the students in class, she had such a positive attitude. She was clearly frustrated but knew that she was setting the tone for her students. One thing she said was, "Have I told you today how much I love zoom, because it allows me to see all of your beautiful faces, even when it's not safe to do so in person!" I think that is something that I wanna bring into my own classroom, even when things aren't going to plan or the situation is ideal, you are sending a message to your students by how you respond, and it is up to you to find the "silver lining," in everything. 

  I also really liked Ms. Renoux's approach of teaching them "life skills," and "employable skills," rather than focusing on "today we're learning how to use the sewing machine." It is our job as teachers to teach these students life skills, and portraying it as exactly that can change their whole mindset about school and doing schoolwork. ]]> 2021-02-24 20:56:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mariahbuffum/x5s3db56elnhu086/wish/1238487459