Overall, I had a feeling of great joy after walking out of Noble Elementary because I felt like teaching is definitely something that I would enjoy doing. During our class visit to Noble Elementary School, my
partner and I visited one 2nd and one 1st grade class. The
two teachers taught differently, and I believe this is because of both the
grade difference and the differences in the type of students in the two
classes. I discovered that I would prefer to be mix of the two teachers. The 1st
grade teacher did not snap at the children at all. She was extremely animated
with the group that she was working with and she did not address the children
who were working by themselves in the other groups unless it was to acknowledge
and reward good behavior. The second grade teacher, however said things like “you
need to get your act together today” to one child who was being restless in
class. I believe the teacher was just tired of dealing with this child’s
behavior, which is understandable. This child reminded me of the situation that
Bill Ayers brings up in To Teach when
there was an energetic child who was labeled with hyperactive disorder by an outside
observer and Bill thought that he was just energetic and needed a little extra
help and attention. This visit and observation helped me to discover how I
would want to interact with kids. I would want to be animated and enthusiastic about
learning and interacting with them, while also being in control and organized.
When dealing with children like the one in Bill Ayers’ story and also in the 2nd
grade classroom I visited, I would want to make sure they were not misbehaving,
but also not snap at them.
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Descriptions
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Interpretations
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2nd Grade
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When it was announced on the PA that we were
visiting, one student said “oooooohhhh John Carroll students?!?” in an exited
way and stood up.
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He was at a desk by himself in the corner.
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He may have a history of being disruptive in class.
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A little later he looked at us and stood up
and said “heeeyyy.”
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He moved around the classroom a lot trying to
find his pencil, which was on his desk.
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The other kids sat at groups of 4 desks pushed
together.
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They did work in workbooks on their own while
the teacher worked with one group at a separate group of desks.
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The groups rotated.
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The same student (mentioned above) was later
pounding on his desk saying he was tired.
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When it was his turn to be in the group that
worked with the teacher he said “Can I sit in your chair?” and she replied “Don’t
even think about it.”
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The first group of kids discussed character
and setting of a story.
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Some kids could tell the teacher what they
were; some couldn’t’.
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They may have learned the concepts recently.
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One girl blurted out that she would be getting
her hair done tonight so tomorrow it “would be flat.”
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This struck up conversation at the tables and
the boys said that was gross and the teacher realized the distraction this
caused.
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The teacher turned to the girl and said “I’m
going to tell you BINGO right now because I like you, but I can’t listen to
you right now.”
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When the students answered a question right,
the teacher told them to “kiss your brain.”
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They put their hand to their mouths first,
then to their head.
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They were proud of themselves
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When a new group came over, one girl sat down
in a chair next to another girl and one girl behind her immediately said “hey”
with annoyance and the girl who just sat down promptly got up and moved.
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The girl who said “hey” wanted to sit in that particular
spot maybe because she always sits in the same place or she wanted to sit
next to the other little girl who was already sitting down.
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1st Grade
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Like the 2nd grade classroom, the
first grade class was slit up into stations.
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There was a group working on iPads, some
working in workbooks, and some were spelling out words with play-dough.
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Another group was reading and doing activities
with the teacher.
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One boy used the play dough to spell his words
in very messy way.
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Another girl’s words were very neat.
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The messy boy worked near two boys who were
working in workbooks and they were talking to each other.
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One girl was working quietly by herself and
the teacher told her to “clip up” which was the reward system.
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Productivity in class is rewarded.
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Two workbook girls were working together and
talking.
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These girls may have been friends.
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