Fall 2024 - Junior 1

For the first semester of my Junior year, I was placed in Ms. Pfeifer's third-grade classroom at Loma Verde Elementary School located in Novato. During my time in her classroom, not only did I get the opportunity to observe her class and the strategies she utilizes to teach her students, but I also had the chance to work with a group of students! In her classroom, To begin, I learned various techniques to help students be focused and do the work that is expected of them. For example, in a corner of her classroom, she has a calm corner where students can go if they feel overwhelmed or need a small brain break. Ms. Pfeifer also presents learning materials for students in many ways. Such differentiated instructions such as having them act it out with their hands, writing it down on their whiteboards or papers, collaborating with other students, and playing games that consistently reinforce their learning are ways that I've seen her use in her classroom. Through my time there, I've observed how helpful such instructions are. For example, for Spanish-only speaking students, she has worksheets, assignments, and directions in Spanish so it's easier for students to understand. In addition, she allows students to answer questions in their languages if they are having difficulty which not only encourages them to engage but helps them understand that speaking in another language is not a barrier.  As aforementioned, I also was able to work with a small group of students high-achieving students. In this group, we read two passages and identified clues on whether they were written by the same author through discussions. While I was unable to get through the second part of creating a Venn diagram and having more discussion, this presented me the chance to connect with students who I didn't interact with much before and teach them and myself as well!

Spring 2025 - Junior 2

For my second semester of my junior year, I was placed in Ms. Thomas’s first-grade classroom at Loma Verde Elementary School. During my time in her classroom, I was exposed to various teaching strategies and different types of students. Since this was my first time in a first-grade class, I felt nervous. However, with the help of Ms. Thomas, who explained how to teach young students, I learned several techniques to help students stay focused and complete the work expected of them. For example, Ms. Thomas has a slide on her TV when students enter the classroom. When they see it, they automatically take out their appropriate notebooks and begin working silently. This taught me how consistent routines and encouragement can help students navigate schoolwork smoothly. I also learned different techniques she uses to teach phonics. Ms. Thomas reads out words for students to repeat. She also uses her hands to help students blend different sounds to form a word. I found this very helpful, and it deepened my understanding of phonics. Additionally, I regularly worked one-on-one with students using Heggerty packets and read with them as well. Not only did I have the opportunity to work with English Language learners, but also a student with ADHD who had specific accommodations. Overall, my experience in Ms. Thomas’s classroom was valuable and helped me learn more about teaching young children.