Field Experiences

I have been observing a Kindergarten classroom at Washington Elementary school for the year, and this semester I have been paying particular attention to language arts instruction. Usually, I am at Washington on Monday mornings for at least an hour and half. When I am there, the students are coming back from specials, have morning meeting, centers, and meet again before lunch. Mrs. Brown is so great to observe. She has been teaching for more than twenty years, and it shows in her natural ease when working with children.

My favorite thing about the semester had been watching students grow and developing relationships with them. In addition to observing language arts, I also help Mrs. Brown out and work with individual or small groups of students. Usually the students I work with need help in a particular area, so it has been so interesting to see how they have improved throughout the year. It has also been great practice figuring out what works and what doesn't work. I have been able to see activities I want to adopt and activities I don't particularly like.

There has not been a visit I did not enjoy. Each time I leave, I take away something positive. I am constantly seeing course applications, especially Language Arts, but also in my Child Development and other education classes. I am so excited and thankful to be getting this experience early in the game.