For this first blog post, I am going to reflect on my first day at
Blue Lakes Elementary. When I walked into Blue Lakes I noticed that you enter the classroom from the outside. That was different for me to see since the elementary school I went to was in doors in a building. My clinical teacher is Mrs. Machado. Mrs. Machado
is a 3rd and 4th grade teacher for reading, language arts and math. Due to the time that I am able to go Mrs. Machado is with her 3rd grade students at that time. There are about 5 students in her class, 3 boys and 2 girls. These students are pulled out from
their class only during reading and math to come and do their assignments with Mrs. Machado. The majority of her class has ADHD and one student has in Mrs. Machados words a "Mental Disability" (she didn't specify which disability).
Unfortunately, I came to do my hours the day the students were taking a test so I was not able to
see the teacher teach a lesson. As the students took their test I was able to observe Mrs. Machado give the test to the student with the mental disability. I noticed that though this students test was the same as everyone else she did not complete all the
questions that the other students needed to complete. Mrs. Machado explained to me that this students reading level is very low to the point that she didn't even know all of her letters from the alphabet. This student was held back two years cause of her disability.
Mrs. Machado has to modify her assignments and test so that she can understand the material. With the help from the teacher the student was able to complete the test. During that time the other students couldn't sit still in their chairs but they were still
focused on their test. When the students completed their test they handed it in to the teacher and were able to spend the rest of the class time playing educational games on the computer.
After all the students finished their test I was able to ask Mrs. Machado about her classroom and
what resources she uses to help her with her lessons. The resources she uses are text books, CD- ROM, computers, powerpoint, projector and smart board. For demonstrations she showed me a small individual board with magnets that she has been using for math
called the fraction board. For reading she uses expository text and practices expository writing with her students. She also uses websites like discovery edu, study jam, and youtube. Another website she explained to me was brain pop which is a website with
videos that break down different topics from all subjects.
In conclusion, though I was not able to observe a full lesson I was able to observe the class room
in what the students call "test mode". Mrs. Machado is a kind and caring teacher who looks for all kinds of ways to help her students reach their full potential. I look forward to learning from her and her students next week when I visit again.
Nicole, I am glad to see that you are in a pullout class which promises to lead to very enriching experiences. I would caution us, however, to reflect on that expectation that even though the kids couldn't sit still they were able to complete the test. As we spoke about briefly in class, the more subjective disabilities are often created out of societal expectations. We will discuss at more length in class.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that you couldn't observe a full lesson it's great that you were placed in a classroom where you can truly see the material we're covering in class come to life. I like how you made the most out of your time by talking to the teacher and finding out the relevant materials she uses to instruct this class. I'm sure in your later sessions you'll be able to see just how she uses them to teach the class.
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