Blog #13/14 Part 2: Observation Notes- Co-teaching Pre-K Classroom

Observations

Co-teaching

One day in the pre-k classroom

Observation began at 9:00 AM

                  1. Head teacher leads class
                a. Circle time-led by head teacher, teacher leads the class in doing the pledge of allegiance, the calendar, the weather and the theme of the day
                 b. Assistant prepares morning snack and is in and out of the classroom

2. Assistant does children’s paper work
a. Children go home every day with a piece of paper that explains what they were learning that day and what activities they participated in. it also includes how long they napped and what they ate for lunch. 

3.     Morning play

a. Both are disciplining

b. Responding to each others names

c. Communication verbally about a particular students progress

                                                                           i. One student who needs assistance and parent conversation

d. Communication about dismissal the previous day (head teacher was the only one present)

4. Snack time

a. Children are separated at 2 tables

b. Each teacher took one table to assist kids open their snacks

5. Academic Work

a. Children remained at the two tables

b. Each teacher helped a table

c. Both pass out papers

                                            i. Head teacher hands out worksheets

                                          ii. Assistant hands out students name tags and alphabets for support for certain children

d. Assistant teacher went around with a stamp as children were working

e. Children received a stamp when they completed their worksheet

f. Head teacher did all the explaining for each worksheet

g. Head teacher led the children in making a letter book (letter J)

                                             i. Assistant teacher assembled the children’s books

                                           ii. Head teacher prompted children when coloring and circulated between the two tables

                  6. Arts and crafts

a. Head teacher explained what a Teepee is

b. Assistant sat at one of the tables and encouraged the head teachers directions

                                            i. Enforced the task

c. Head teacher stood and circulated the room constantly when the students were working

d. Both teachers engaged in constant communication and enforcement with the children about what they were doing

e. Assistant teacher reinforces the head teachers instructions

f. Both praise children and show good examples to the others

g. Each teacher engage in different tasks without communication with each other

                                              i. Unsaid responsibilities

h. Conversation occurred about a last minute project to do that day

i. Head teacher consulted assistant for opinion

                                            i. Quick response from the assistant, results in a quick decisions

j. Team effort to prepare

                                            i. One completed Teepee (assistant)

                                          ii. Head teacher began preparation for second project

k. Both move quickly between activities to keep the class moving and the students engaged.

l. Both help each other without instruction

                                            i. Assistant asked if glue was ready, without head teacher having to say anything

                                           ii. Head teacher passed out papers for second craft

                                          iii. Assistant followed behind with the glue for step one

                                          iv. One table at a time

                                           v. When assistant table went for step one at the second table, head teacher went back to table one to monitor and guide

                                          vi. Assistant went around to label students work  

                 7. Playtime

a. Head teacher put students in centers

b. Assistant teacher finished projects

c. Both cleaned up

d. As students were playing and problems occurred between the children, both or one responded without hesitation

8.        Circle time activity

a. Head teacher led circle time song

b. Assistant teacher sat on side of circle and probed the students

c. Assistant teacher left half way between the activity to set up for lunch

9. Lunch

a. Head teacher takes students to wash their hands

b. Assistant sets up for lunch

c. Both circulate and make sure each child is eating

d. Assistant records students lunch on their dailies

e. Children cleaned up

f. Head teacher cleaned tables

g. Assistant teacher set up cots

h. Assistant teacher put napping music on

i. Children went down for nap

Observation complete