Observing
and Interacting With Professionals, Children, and Families in an Early
Childhood Setting
The preschool program I observed is The Salvation Army, Incarnation Head Start. There are two sessions of 3 ½ hours. The morning session starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. The second session starts at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Each session serves 17 children, but right now the enrollment is a little bit low, there are only 10 children in the morning and 8 children in the afternoon. There are two teachers in the classroom; Ms. Erika Byrd that is the lead teacher, and Ms. Wendy Lara the teacher assistance.
I observed the afternoon class, and as the children were arriving parents were helping their children to hang up their jackets, then they went to wash their hands for lunch. Children were helping to set up tables, and I noticed that they have a routine, because they knew what to do without the teachers help. During lunch time teachers and children were talking, some children were talking in Spanish, and Ms. Byrd told me that most of the children are from Hispanic families. She does not know a lot of Spanish, but Ms. Lara is bilingual, and they help each other, when children say something and Ms. Byrd does not understand, Ms. Lara translates to her or she translates for the children.
After lunch children went to get a book, and then they went to sit on the carpet. Ms. Byrd had a Helpers Chart, and children look at the chart to see who the book collector is. Ms. Byrd started circle time by dancing with the children, and then she started reading the book of the day. This is the activity that I observed the most, because it is related to my topic that it is early literature. Ms. Byrd started the reading activity by showing the cover of the book to children and after that she asked them what they thought the book was about. After she was finished with the book Ms. Byrd told children that they were going to draw a picture about the story, and that they will dictate a story. Children went to draw the picture, while others went to play. Children dictate their story in English as well as in Spanish.
Ms. Byrd and Ms. Lara had a good communication. Ms. Lara was taking care of the children that were having a hard time during reading time. One insight I gained was that Ms. Byrd has books in each area of the classroom, for example she has books about cars and numbers in the block area, and books about different families and cooking books in the housekeeping area. One more insight I gained is the way she reads the books to children. She makes faces, she changes her voice if she needs it according to the character of the book, and this really engages the children into the reading activity. Another insight is that it is important to talk to children in their own language if it’s possible, like Ms. Byrd and Ms. Lara they took turns to take history dictations according to the children’s language.
Butler_Anissa_First Response Eliosa Gil www.loycita.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHello Eliosa,
It seems like Eliosa enjoy yourself at the Head Start program, and it was a lot information you gained from your host teachers. I can certainly tell that host teachers have a close relationship in the classroom, and they communicate a lot with each other. It is easier when comes to planning, and doing co-teaching in the classroom. I like the idea how the students are divided into groups giving them enough time for each activity. It gives the teacher an opportunity to work with limited students helping them with their own individual needs.
I have never had the experience to visit a classroom where both teachers were fluent in two languages. The children were allowed to speak their own language along with if they knew any English. The materials are available in both languages making easier for students to understand. Early Childhood Programs do not have their information available like enrollment information, pamphlets, phone book, and labeling things in the classroom.
I think that this is a great opener for students in their circle time activity. Students enjoy moving to the music, and they remember many things through repetition. Most teachers do not introduce the physical attributes of a book. Some teachers begin reading the story, and asking questions as the students are following along.
When a teacher plans a great learning experience for students make it easier for them to scaffold their experience. The student will take that experience, and they are able to put the activity into action. It is great when teachers allow students to problem solve through their own situation. The students can come up with own plans along with making their decision on what to do next. This challenges the children thinking, and students do not depend on their teachers for support.
Young children begin to better social emotional skills communicating with their peers who are speaking on or beyond their level. I would like to see more classroom like this one in video program three. It is up to the teacher set up an environment that allows students to interact closely with each other. Teachers should always observe their students to see what did or did not work for the students.
Eliosa have an interesting topic early literature with young children in the primary grades. This is really an interesting topic, but I need to hear anyone discussed or focus on this as a topic. Why did you choose this topic? What is your three subtopic for this topic? I enjoyed reading your blog, and I wish you the best with your paper. Good Luck!!!!
Eliosa,
DeleteI think that it is great that the teachers work well together. They are good role models for the children. I also think that it helps that one of the teachers is bilingual and the other one isn't. There are so many children these days who don't speak English who could benefit from this.
The children really seemed to enjoy circle time. It's good to keep the kids attention by doing fun activities. I also like that they had a job chart. It's important to let the children try to do things on their own to make them feel special and proud.
I noticed that you said the teacher read the book a certain way. She read it with enthusiasm and changed her voice at different parts of the book. This is very important for teachers to do as they are reading. It helps the children understand the story better and they seem to enjoy it more.
Do you feel that you got enough information about literacy to help with your advocacy plan?
Christy, thank you for your comments,I think I will need more information from the teacher, She told me anything I will need, just to tell her and she will be happy to help me.
DeleteSince many of the children in the program are Hispanic do you think it's important to also read the stories in Spanish. Do they have a program set-up for parental involvement in regards to reading to their children at home. What kind of a library do they have in each of the classes in regards to books written in other languages?
ReplyDelete