Field Observation Paper

Anna Stewart
Professor Hudson
EDU 203
Field Observation Paper
Field Observation at Scottsdale Arts Academy
While observing Scottsdale Arts Academy School, I was able to learn much more than I had
gone in expecting I would. Being a teacher is not as easy as it sounds, and many people find it
hard to understand just how challenging it can be. I too had a image of what being a teacher
would be like, and going into my observation school I never would have guessed just how
difficult it could be especially when the ratio of the classroom is one teacher to twelve
kindergarteners.
My first impressions of the school I observed was a very warm and friendly environment.
All of the teachers and staff were extremely kind towards me but also to all of their students.
When I got to my assigned classroom I immediately noticed the class size. In total, there were
only twelve kindergartners in that classroom. While this may the normal for this school, I was
expecting a larger class size much like my own kindergarten classroom. For one, the school is
definitely a much smaller scale school. While they still have enrollment, it is on a much smaller
scale than most schools. Another thing I took note of right when I entered my assigned
classroom was the set up and the way the classroom was set up. There were four tables with
four students assigned to three of them, leaving the fourth table open for various activities and
different centers for more individual learning. My cooperating teacher did a great job of
keeping her students focused and working on the task at hand. While there were many times
that the students needed redirecting, she was able to do it quickly and had many unique ways
to get their attention back. These included putting a “bubble in your mouth”, or beginning a
certain chant such as 1,2,3 eyes on me or “put your hands in your lap and a bubble in your
mouth”. The students were able to chant or sing along and then were quiet right after leaving
my cooperating teacher to continue with the lesson or task she was working on them with.
Each day the teacher began by having the students enter the classroom and put their
backpacks on the hooks in the back of the classroom and take out their “Monkey Binders”
which has their homework and various other handouts that goes from school to home every
day. Once their backpacks and lunchboxes were put away and their monkey binders in their
desks, they are instructed to sit on the carpet in front of their calendar. My teacher then starts
off their day by standing and stating the Pledge of Allegiance then return sitting on the carpet
to begin calendar work. The calendar work consists of stating todays date, yesterday’s date and
how many days of school they have been in so far. They also count by 5’s and by 10’s. They
then move onto stating their sight words and letter sounds for the alphabet. Once their
calendar work is completed, they break into three groups where they start centers. Centers
normally consisted of different activities to work on letter sounds and reading. All the groups
are monitored by the teacher and help is given when needed. Once center work is completed
the students attend their “special” otherwise known as an elective. Since this school is an arts
integrated school, I was able to perform ballet for grades kindergarten through fifth. I was also
able to talk a little bit about my experiences as a ballerina but also the background behind it.
After specials are over, the students return to the classroom for snack and a quick outside play
break. This is then followed by math and spelling. Towards the end of the day, after lunch, the
students come back for specialized instruction on different words and letter sounds. Fridays the
students get to have “fun, fun Fridays” where they have class store and can play with puzzles
and blocks and any other fun activities and toys the teacher sets out that day.
Overall I learned a great deal about the day in the life of a teacher, specifically on how to
keep and regain the students attention. I never would have expected how many times
redirection would have been needed. My cooperating teacher did a great job of not getting
frustrated at the fact that it was hard to keep the concentration, and instead made the
redirection fun and light. The classroom was a very kid friendly environment with lots of
posters and decorations that portrayed educational value and could be used when teaching a
variety of assignments. Along with observing my cooperating teacher guide this kindergarten
class, I was able to teach the students a bit myself. Being an arts integration school, I was able
to bring a bit of information regarding ballet and teach the students a few steps and stretches.
The staff worked alongside me helping me provide information that was on their level of
understanding but also aided me in how to teach to a wide variety of learners. I really enjoyed
this time of observation. It showed me just how rewarding teaching can be in the long run. It
also showed me how even though students may learn differently, or take a bit longer to fully
understand the lesson that all students are capable of learning these lessons and topics with
the right teacher. While teaching may not be for everyone, I fully believe that it is for me!

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Anna Stewart

Field Observation Paper

Field Observation at Scottsdale Arts Academy

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