Interview with Ms. Birkman.
1) What is the “feel” of instruction/learning in the classroom? Tense, active, relaxed, enjoyable, comfortable, etc.? Why do you think this is the case, at least at this point in time?
The classroom feels active, because the students are working on their phonological awareness. First, the teacher instructs the students about ‘Me First, then You,” than the teacher says a sound and the students repeat the sound and spell it. I believe the students are not only active in this lesson, but also comfortable. I feel they are comfortable because they are used to this activity.
2) What appears to be the relationship between the teacher and the students?
The relationship between the teacher and her students seem caring. I believe the teachers shows how much she cares about her students by how she manages her classroom. She utilizing all the new strategies like, “Flexible Seating,” “Harry Potter Theme,” and “Flip Grid.” I believe the students trust her because they see how she is always trying to make learning fun.
3) How interested are the students in the content or learning materials? How do you know?
Like I said before, that the teacher is always trying new ways of making lessons fun. I myself find them very interesting, and as I go around the room I see most of the student engaged. There are a few that need a little help refocusing, but most of the students seem to enjoy her lesson.
4) How is instruction related to students’ real life experiences, interests, or needs?
I believe that phonological awareness is teaching them not only how to spell words, but also how to pronounce words, which is needed in their everyday life experience.
5) In what ways does the teacher adapt instruction/materials to address students’ needs and strengths?
In this lesson, she will repeat it again for the students who need to hear it more than once.
6) How would you describe the demographics of the students (age range, ethnic groups, gender, new or returning, primary language, etc.?
I believe the student’s ages range from 8 to 9 years old. In this classroom the ethnic groups are, Latinos, Whites, Mexicans, and Native Americans. There are eleven boys and ten girls. The primary language is English.
7) What is the overall management style (organization of time/space/ resources, expectations of students’ responsibility and behavior)? What works well, and why?
The teacher’s classroom management skills are wonderful. I can see that the students have had a part in making the rules, because they not only helped create the rules, but also signed them. She uses different strategies to get them to refocus. First, she says, “Wingardium” and they reply, “Leviosa.” A second strategy is holding her hand up, and the stop what they are doing and hold their hands up, or she starts counting down from five.
8) Describe or sketch the physical environment of the classroom below (seating, supplies and equipment, work areas, lighting, etc.)
The teacher’s theme is Harry Potter, and has different collectible around the room. She has separated her students into three groups and named them, “Hufflepuff,” “Gryffindor,” and “Ravenclaw,” and she has three large posters with their names hanging from the ceiling. This classroom also has ‘Flexible seating,” 4-tall chairs, 2-balance balls, 2-beach chairs, 2-lawn chairs, 2-floor mats seats, 2-crate chairs, three stand-up table, and two tables with regular chairs. In front of the classroom she a large space for their morning meeting or story-time. The library is a small space, and its’ in the back of the classroom. It is very colorful with its’ own lighting, and seating.