Loma Verde Elementary School: Kindergarten

Journal Entry #1 (1/27/22)

Today, I was welcomed into Ms. McMorrow's classroom and began introducing myself to her students.  Students began working on "was" worksheet, in which students were challenged with writing the word "was" and writing a short sentence including "was". In Ms. Manion's class, I mostly observed students correct spelling/punctuation errors in various sentences.

Takeaway: Having the class repeat incorrect sentences out-loud are beneficial to ELL students.

Journal Entry #2 (2/3/22)

For today's observation, students in Ms. McMorrow's class began the morning sounding out words and solving spelling puzzles. I helped a table group with their spelling puzzle and they began to understand how to solve it. In Ms. Manion's class, I observed students taking the Math portion of the CAASPP state testing exam. I watched students through their though processes and the specific questions and visual aids that the CAASPP offers. 

Takeaway: The CAASPP 1st Grade test offers many visuals and aids such as flagging a question so students can come back to problems.

Today, students began their morning by drawing and writing their favorite activity they did the day before. This allowed students to practice writing words in the past tense and show their interests. I walked around the classroom and aided any students who needed help with spelling. In Ms. Manion's class, students read their own books during reading time.

Takeway: Reading time after recess is a great way for students to wind down.

Today, I followed Ms. McMorrow's class through the library and read a few books to her students. I worked with a table group to sound our words from a book and interpret the text using the illustrations. In Ms. Manion's students focused on social emotional learning as they watched a video about diversity and different body types.

In Ms. McMorrow's class, students worked on their "Around the World" booklet. They explored India and learned various vocabulary words. 

Students worked together during this math activity in which they must find the correct math key to unlock the correct lock. 

Students went to the library and picked out various books. I really enjoy how Loma Verde allows students to get books not at their level, this fosters their passion for reading

Students worked on determining the correct word that matches the picture. 

In Ms. Manion's class, students collaborated together to identify the mistakes in this paragraph. I really enjoyed this activity and the students were highly engaged.