SRCS Remote Learning Program

Today, I was welcomed to the class and introduced myself to the students. The teacher read a picture book titled "Freedom on the Menu" by Carol Boston Weatherford. During her read-aloud the teacher asked many observational questions such as "What do you think the genre of the book is based on the cover?" This engages students and develops their critical thinking skills.

Takeaway: Before reading a book to students, it's imperative to review the genre and literary elements of the book itself with the class

In today's lesson, Ms. deBaere read "A picture book of Cesar Chavez" by David Adler. The class had a brief discussion about impactful lines from the book and they added to their hero charts. Ms. deBaere then spilt the class into breakout rooms for self-reading. Meanwhile I observed the highest level group work on a read-aloud with the teacher. She used the "your turn, my turn" method so the students could repeat after her.

Takeaway: The "your turn, my turn" method is best when students are don't feel confident enough to read out-loud to the class.

Today I taught a lesson based on the book "Thank You, Omu!" by Oge Mora. This book reinforces the importance of being thankful for what you have. After reading the book out-loud, I instructed students to write about what they are thankful for in the form of a thank you note. (pictured above)

Critique from the Teacher: When reading, be sure to pause and make eye contact with students as it keeps them engaged.

Today, the students began learning about another historical hero, Sacagawea, through another David Adler book "A Picture Book of Sacagawea". As part of their historical hero project, the students were tasked with creating their own slideshow highlighting the achievements of their own chosen historical hero. I aided a student with her slideshow on Martin Luther King Jr, but found it difficult to effectively show her how to use the technology. However, I overcome this challenge by going over it step by step in the "My turn, your turn" method.

Takeaway: Giving students choices keeps them engaged and they feel as if they are contributing to their own learning

There was no class today, however I was able to observe a parent-teacher conference. Ms. deBaere began with what works well first for this student, as opposed to beginning with what the student needs to improve on. This establishes a good relationship between teacher and parent. The teacher went by each subject one by one. She showed the parent a chart of reading levels and where there child is. Towards the end Ms. deBaere recommended resources that the student can use at home to improve their mathematics skills.

Takeaway: It's important to build a trusting relationship between parent and child.

Today, the teacher began the class with a vocabulary lesson on Ecosystems. Ms. deBaere created a graphic organizer with her students so they are able to keep all of their vocabulary words all in one place. In a small group, I taught a phonemic awareness lesson of "I spy" where students had to identify objects that started with a particular sound in a picture.

Takeaway: "I spy" phonemic awareness activity is a great way to engage students in an interactive way.