Purpose:
Observe and analyze how some of the theories, concepts, and approaches you ’ve been studying all semester are applied in an actual classroom setting.
Further, your responses to what you see will help you continue to identify and explore the beliefs you hold and continue to develop your philosophy of education
Social Studies in Action:
● A 3-5 page typed, double-spaced paper that includes all of the sections described below.
Note: A section is not the same thing as a paragraph. Most sections of your paper will include more than one well-organized, focused paragraph. (See page 4 of this handout for more details about form and style.)
PART l. This is the descriptive part of your paper. Write a smooth, well-organized narrative, which includes your answers to questions a-c on the next page and any other observations you care to share.
PART ll. This is the interpretive, analytic, part of your paper. You’ll apply some of the theories and concepts you’ve been learning about all semester.
Part l. Description
a. The Physical Environment – How does the classroom look?
Write at least one paragraph that describes the physical environment of the classroom. Include specific details about the classroom layout including all the different areas of the classroom and storage of supplies and materials. What’s on the walls? How is the furniture arranged? What about bulletin board displays: what’s on them? How is it arranged? What type of student work is up on the walls? Are materials
store-bought/made by teachers/ made by students? Are there games/toys in the room?
b. The Curriculum – What are the children studying and learning?
Write at least two paragraphs that describe in detail what the students are studying, what they are learning and what the teachers and the students are saying and doing. This section is the story of what is going on in the classroom.
Remember: including verbatim dialogue and specific descriptions of tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures will make your description much more vivid and interesting. Include the time markers for some of what you’re describing. Be sure to describe what takes place in the order in which it occurred. This is NOT the place for judgement, evaluation or analysis. In this section, you’re just describing what you saw.
c. Classroom Tone – What is the “feel” of the classroom?
Write at least one paragraph that describes the tone in the classroom. Use the questions below to guide your description:
● Do the children seem comfortable and content?
● Are the children engaged?
● Are they able to use the classroom independently?
● Do they express themselves easily with the adults?
● Is there anything that gives you a clue about parental involvement?
Part ll. Analysis and Reflection – What did you learn?
In order to write Part ll, you’ll need to look back continuously at Part l, at the video and at the notes you took while you were observing. The conclusions you draw in Part ll must be based on what you actually saw and described in Part l. Part ll is NOT the place to introduce new observations you made of the classroom in the video, it IS the place to offer your analysis of what you saw.
Part ll must be at least four paragraphs long – with at least one paragraph each for #s 1-4.
Analyze what you saw:
1. Look back through through the readings you’ve done this semester. Compare what you saw to at least one of the philosophers, historical figures, or authors of articles we’ve studied. How does what you saw compare to that thinker’s philosophy and beliefs? What would the thinker’s reaction to this classroom be? Say why you think what you think. (This part should be at least one paragraph long.)
2. Refer back to the resources posted on Blackboard for our sequence on culturally responsive teaching (Learning Module folders 4,5, and 6), the Kentucky Department of Education website: https://education.ky.gov/educational/diff/pages/culturallyresponsiveinstruction.aspx
and the reading: “What are Key Features of Culturally Responsive Teaching?” Does this classroom seem to be an example of culturally responsive teaching? Why or why not? Be specific. (This part should be at least one paragraph long.)
3. Refer back to the article we read at the beginning of the semester: “Want to Get Your Kids into College? Let Them Play?” Would you say this is primarily a “skills-based” or a “play-based” classroom? Be sure you’re clear about what each of these means. Say why you think what you think. (This part should be at least one paragraph long.)
Reflect on what you saw:
4. What is your overall reaction to this classroom? What would you do the same or differently from this teacher and why? Would you want your own child to be a student in this classroom? Why or why not? Overall, how did this assignment impact your ideas about teaching and learning? (This part should be at least one paragraph long.)
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