Location:  Lincoln Elementary, Olympia

Date:  October 5, 2006

Time:  9:00-11:30

Observations on Environment

Inferences

?’s

Problem solving sheets above doorway

“Complex thinkers use these skills” sheet

This is a community where the students learn how to solve their own problems.

How often do they review these rules?

Birthday chart hung from the bulletin board with birthday data on each child.

Barbara uses many opportunities to teach math.  Using birthdays was a great way to enlist children’s input on building a data chart.

Do they recognize birthdays with food or a class gift?  What about holidays?

Pictures of students for roll call hung at front of room

Pictures of students at back of room on a field trip.

Barbara has a good camera!  Children enjoyed looking at themselves.

Several world globes in windowsill and one hanging from ceiling.

The earth is studied in this classroom.

How many field trips does the class embark on?  What types?

Commercial poster “No place like home” of planet earth.

The environment is an important part of this classroom

A skeleton in windowsill.

Science is valued here.

Large animal masks mounted on top of lights.  Also a house backdrop behind desks.

Drama and the arts are utilized in here.

A large wall covered with bookshelves and filled with a variety of books as well as a corner with Nation Geographics.  (Over 1,000)  Also, a reading loft filled with pillows and a lookout into the room.

Reading is encouraged.

The class had 2 parent helpers.  A sign up calendar indicated that parent help was in the class daily.

The parents seemed involved with their children.

Does it become overwhelming having that many helpers in the classroom?

Mobiles hanging from lights.  Four mobiles of student work.

Students either haven’t made much to display or they have taken it home.

Why don’t all the students have something displayed?

**Desks pushed off to the sides and perimeter of the room, leaving a large floor space in the middle.

Group time is sought out more than individual work time.  It seems difficult, however, for the children to be instructed when they are at their desks, only at circle time.

In the entrance to room is a large chalkboard with the day’s agenda written on it.

Barbara keeps class and self updated as to the day’s activities.

How flexible are the lesson plans? 

The hallway showed one display of class artwork.

The assume the children haven’t had time to make and display much as the year is still new.

There are two walls with high windows on them.  Windows are covered with blinds.

They let in sufficient light and the room seems bright.

A reading loft is in the back of the room covered with pillows.

It seems to be an escape for one child.

Can children go there at anytime?

The desks have recycled cans as pencil holders.

The school lives up to its image of “environmentally friendly.”

There was sounds heard from the floor above at the beginning of class.

It was minimal and probably happened during the rest of the morning, but I didn’t notice.

Being in the basement, I wonder if there is issues with the room being cold in the winter.

Observations on Barbara (teacher)

Inferences

?’s

**Barbara greeted each child as they came in the classroom with first name and they with her first name.

She seemed happy to see everyone and to be starting her day.  I was surprised to see the students address her by first name.

Barbara spoke a few phrases in Spanish.

She seems to try and incorporate a little of another language.

How much does she know?  When I asked her about this, she said, “I wish I knew more phrases, but I don’t have time to look them up.”  (I think I will send her a few.)

Several times I saw Barbara physically touch a student: on the head, the arm, gave one hug.

She seemed well connected to her class.

When a student had an incorrect answer, Barbara said, “I don’t agree with that answer, but it’s a great strategy.”

When Barbara had several children around her she encouraged two children to work together.

**The pledge of allegiance was not said in the morning.

I saw a flag in a corner, but thought it different that the pledge was not said.

Was Barbara trying to make a political statement?

Barbara read a picture book during snack time.

It seemed a little young for this age group, but she was able to stop often and ask questions about the plot and themes.

Does she read chapter books?