Observation

October 22, 2001                      Classes: Beginning Keyboarding � 9th Grade
Ms. Wendell & Ms. Smith                       Business II � 10th/11th Grade Mix
Ridgewood High School                           Customer Svc/Life Skills � 10th/11th Grade

Before I walked into my first classroom, I will admit I was quite nervous. In my head, I pictured high school students to be wild and unpredictable. I did not know how to dress. Being that I am 24 yrs old, I didn�t want to be mistaken for a student with my trendy wear, nor did I want to dress in a fashion where I couldn�t handle myself, but I wanted to look professional. High heels where out of the question.

Initial Observations: Okay, the students were not monsters as I initially thought. They were just kids, still seeming to contain their innocence. This was a bad morning; I was already an hour late for the observation. My better half went to work with my car keys, so I had to wait until 2nd period to begin observing. Ridgewood High School had a big opening area welcoming me as I walked up to the front of the school. There was a sign stating visitors must report to the main office, however, there was no sign directing a visitor to the main office. I had to wear a visitors patch on my clothing and office personnel escorted me to my classroom. The school halls were crowded with students, I had to get in line and move with the crowd until I got to my destination.

Classroom Environment: The classroom had 25 computers for instruction. The teacher�s desk was situated in the front of the classroom with a working telephone and computer for the teacher�s own use. The telephone strikes me as odd, and it did interrupt the classes forcing the students to wait on the teacher to finish her block of instruction. This observation was an extra treat for me because Ms. Wendell had an intern, Ms. Smith, who gave me some good pointers as I approached my journey. The teachers of the Business Department had there own faculty area with branching individual offices. Only half of the lights remained on for the duration of my observation. All textbooks are in a closet located in the back of the room. There were not enough textbooks in this district for students to have their own book, which makes assigning homework to students difficult. It takes time away from the class when the students are clustered around the wall locker getting their textbooks. I liked the use of technology in this classroom. The teacher used a projector with a computer screen converter, which emulated her laptop, still a proxy screen would be the best for the classroom, but this second-rate technology is reasonably good considering this district�s budget. The classes are an hour in length. There could be no more that 25 students because of the seats available.

Teacher Methods: In 2nd period, my first observation was Ms. Smith, the student teacher, during Beginning Keyboarding. There was not a typing program for the students learn from; they complete their assignments from a book in a Microsoft Word. I learned from a tutor program back in 1995, I thought all students did. This was a valuable experience of what I will not do as a student teacher. It took her 10 minutes just to get the class situated and settled down, collecting homework, passing out student disks, etc. The vocabulary word of the day is in on the board along with the class assignments, those who choose to be on task write it down in their notebook. Half the class does not. She takes role and then goes over homework. Ms. Smith is talking slow and reading from her notes. She uses the word of the day in sentences and integrates vocabulary in her lesson. She is open to questions and to individual attention. The class is disinterested in Ms. Smith�s instruction. There are side conversations throughout her lesson. There is no smile on Ms. Smith�s face; she gives no praise to students the whole class period. During break, spoke with me and answered my questions, but the students require their attention, so they answer student questions during the break.

In third period, Business II, it was refreshing to observe Ms. Wendell. She is fast, on task and has no time to play student games. In the beginning of class, she gives a progress report of the class and what is expected of them for the next quarter. The lecture is fast, those not on task or having technical difficulty will fall behind, on the other hand, the teacher maximizes her time, the students aren�t waiting while the teacher disciplines other students. The instruction is on getting acquainted with Windows. Three minutes into her lesson and she has to lecture them about listening. They all worked on their computer along with teacher, step-by step demonstrations. When she is talking she demands attention, I like that, she corrects a student when he tries to throw away trash, stating he can do that later and that he needs to sit and listen right now. Ms. Wendell gives no praise during her class, not even for correct answers.

During 4th period, I observed Ms. Smith�s Customer Service and Life Skills class, the students are taking a personal assessment on Choices software. They are to work all period on this computer program. This gave me an opportunity to speak with Ms. Smith about her experiences, struggles, and hints for me to use in the future. She says, �ssshhhh� to her students, which I think is a little elementary for these students. I would reconsider my choice of words used for this grade level.

Students Observed: In 2nd period, 4/20 students claim they did not understand the assignment. Students are very sarcastic to Ms. Smith. They are talking during her lecture and surfing the web, she does not correct them, and she ignores them as they do her. Students look bored, no one is smiling, how depressing.

In third period, the students walk in ready for class. What a difference one year makes in maturity of high school students. They retrieve their student discs upon entering the class and write down the vocabulary word and assignments. The students are more receptive to Ms. Wendell stern approach, although one student likes to press her. He continually talks out of turn, makes excuses for his actions, and keeps trying to walk around. Fourth period students are to work on their own with a computer program, yet there is a group that continually talks in the back. Class Clowns, I would call them, but they give the student teacher headache.

Teacher Interview: I was glad to have an opportunity to speak to Ms. Smith about her experiences. She told me to throw away nothing from my teaching courses, that I will use it all again for the next two years. She also informed me of ways to integrate myself into the school system, so that when I apply for a job, the school is familiar with my teaching qualities. Her main struggle was classroom management. She suggested I get started with this as soon as possible, although I do foresee this as a problem for me, I believe this was her problem. She loves teaching, and told me that for the first two years of my teaching experience I will do lesson plans on my own time, until I have something to work with and improve upon. She works 10 hours a day on school related work. I am getting started now. I started a website that I will maintain for the next two years while in school, collecting my knowledge with links to lesson plans I wish to integrate in classroom. Ms. Smith is still struggling with the grade book and administrative paperwork involved with teaching, she was not taught these things in college. I wish to start my internship now. I really enjoyed this observation and wish to observe other business classes.