https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd My 5 hours of observation time at Franklin Elementary School in Mrs. McGuires 4th grade special education class. en-us 2020-10-09 04:05:01 UTC 2024-06-19 01:58:15 UTC hello@padlet.com mburns131 https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815950770 Franklin Elementary is in Wichita, KS. I attended Franklin in 2005-2011 as a student and on October 7th, 2020 I went back and observed my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. McGuire's classroom. ]]> 2020-10-09 04:08:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815950770 mburns131 https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815953817 In her classroom she has 14 students with various learning disabilities.

-All students had IEP's that determined how they were helped specifically in the classroom.

-Kayden: Kayden is a brilliant student with Autism. He was very quiet and had a para who helped him specifically during math and reading intervention to help keep him guided and focused and help him with his work. He had repeated the fourth grade and his IEP is in a week. They will decide if he jumps from fourth grade to sixth grade or if he will go to fifth grade next year. Mrs. McGuire personally wants him to experience the fifth grade before making the social jump to middle school.

-Julianna and Alex: They both also have paras who specifically come in for them during math intervention. 

-All the students in the classroom struggle with reading or math and receive extra help, and sometimes have their lessons altered to them specifically to receive more or less work, extra focus, etc.]]> 2020-10-09 04:11:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815953817 mburns131 https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815961159 -Her classroom was dim, there were soft lights but nothing too bright or distracting. 

-The students were spaced out due to social distancing and so students would not be distracted or cause conflict.

-The classroom was organized and AVID oriented. Many organizational systems were in place to help the students excel and keep up.

-She played soft music or spoke softly. Students reflected her tone. I noticed other teachers who came in (the librarian and gym teacher) who were much louder consequently made the students be more loud due to the kids reflecting their mannerisms and volume. It frustrated the librarian, yet when Mrs. McGuire entered the classroom again the students calmed very easily. The respect and love they have for her is very evident. ]]> 2020-10-09 04:20:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815961159 mburns131 https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815961353 Mrs. McGuire used multiple strategies to help her students learn the material effectively. 

-She worked with the students step by step, taking time in between to go and help students with any questions if the paras were not available. The students calmly raised their hands and asked questions, she would kindly answer them. 

-Correct and incorrect answers were met with positive affirmation and guidance. 

-Each subject had its own time block displayed on the board, a consistent schedule that is the same everyday and very visible for students to read and orient themselves with. 

-Restroom breaks and brain breaks were frequent between each subject to allow students to move around, use the restroom, get more water or ask the teacher questions they may have. 

-Students who would get off track or stand up and wander around were gently guided and refocused.]]> 2020-10-09 04:20:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815961353 mburns131 https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815961544 -My thoughts and ideas on teaching in a classroom that includes special needs learners is that many people misunderstand special needs students. I learned a lot from observing these students and talking to them throughout the day. 

-They are very kind and sweet and behave very well. They had only kindness in their hearts for each other and would help each other very actively. A kind student would help Kayden get his reading books out and help him back to his desk when he would get up and wander without the teacher needing to say anything. He would do it very quietly without disturbing the class and honestly it was much more peaceful than any other class with non-special education students I have observed. 

-I would love to teach a class with special education learners in it. Even though they require extra help, it is very rewarding to watch them learn and see their talents shine.

-If I taught a class with special education students in it I would make sure to always be kind and patient, to let my students know ahead of time my expectations and their schedule so no surprises take them off guard. ]]> 2020-10-09 04:20:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mburns131/y1wcyh6vpqgma0dd/wish/815961544