Classroom Observation

Classroom Observation

For this math assignment I chose to study a first grade classroom. Mrs. Cooper a first grade teacher told me that she would be honored to have me observe her instruction for as many days as I needed to complete my assignment. When I first stepped into her classroom, Mrs. Cooper told me that I could look around and one of the first things that I saw was a series of posters to help children in mathematics. The posters had the following message:

Ð'* Numbers: This poster displayed the numerals 1 through

10, and next to each number there were color cartoon animals representing that number. Example, next to the number 3 there were three yellow ducks.

Ð'* Animals: This poster displayed animals and numbers as well. But rather than having the number followed by the number of animals, it displayed the animals with the number representing it underneath, ranging from the numbers 1 through

12.

Ð'* Paddington: This poster used a famous children's cartoon to help count numbers Paddington Bear! The numbers 1 through

10 were displayed on the poster with color images of Paddington Bear throughout displaying the number being represented with different food items.

I settled into the classroom with the kindness and comfort from Mrs. Cooper, and upon further observation I noticed that the desks in the classroom were arranged in groups. Each group had four desks they were pushed together to make a square with two desks side by side. The desks were arranged in such a way that all the children were able to see the board in the front of the classroom.

There are several stations set-up throughout the classroom for when the children enter in the morning. Some of the stations are set up at the desks while others are on tables throughout the classroom and the floor. One of the activities was the "library corner" as Mrs. Cooper explained it to me, she said that there are several books in the library and the children are encouraged to open them, look at the pictures, read them aloud, or to a friend. Furthermore, Mrs. Cooper explained that many of the books in the library were ones that they have already read as a class, and this gives the children confidence because they are already familiar with it.

Another station in the classroom was set up on a table and on this table were a bunch of buttons, I would guess about 100. The buttons were different colors and sizes along with some large post cards displaying simple addition and subtraction problems. At this station the children were encouraged to find the solution to these mathematical problems using the buttons. Mrs. Cooper told me this was going to be a part of their Math Lesson Plan for today.

Once all the children are in the classroom and have about ten minutes to discover the stations Mrs. Cooper had all the children place the items they were playing with in the appropriate place and return quietly to their desk. Upon returning to their seats Mrs. Cooper greeted the children very enthusiastically with a "Good Morning,