Jessica Howard

Preschool Lab One

Teaching Day: Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Topic/Theme: ConstructionBuilding
1.

What went well today? Provide 3 specific examples of childrens actions/comments that occurred
during self-selected activities. What evidence do you have for your conclusion?
I felt like overall self-selected time went really well today. The children were engaged in most of
the activities and it was also good because it eliminated some of the good-guy, bad-guy play
that weve been having for the last couple of weeks. The children were really very creative in the
block area building off the pictures of famous structures, and really we had some very creative and
inventive things going on and fantastic conversation with the children during that time. Also, all of
the children, at one point or another, were involved in the pulley system and moving up and down
off of the loft. They also when through a great exploration process as they figured out that if they
pulled the opposite rope it would move the bucket more effectively. The balances also proved to
be something that the children were very interested it (which kind of surprised me actually) but
they did a lot of trial and error to get the balance to be equal. At first they just added more things
to each side, but as we talked some of them figured out that they could also remove objects to
balance the weight.
2. Evaluate gathering time. What were some positive aspects of gathering time? What were the
participation needs of the children and how were they met? What would you change for next
time?
The transition into gathering time was a little rough, but once we got started, I felt like it went
well. Most of the children were focused (though we did have a few stragglers because the
transition was rough). When we were talking about foundations and did the Topple the Tube
activity the children were very interested and engaged in what was going on. The more books or
blocks I added the more nervous they became because they were sure that it was going to fall over
and they couldnt believe how many it was able to hold! That was fun for all of us. I felt like they
were also engaged in the story and participated at the points that they needed to. Overall, I felt
good about how it went. Though for next time, I would probably add one more activity, because
even though I felt like it went well, I think that it would have used a little more umph at times.
3. Evaluate small focus groups. What were some positive aspects of small focus groups? What were
the participation needs of the children and how were they met? What would you change for next
time?
The transition into small focus was better than the one to gather time, so that helped. There were
just some children who had lost their picture tools and were kind of upset about that and that they
didnt know where to go, but it ended up working out okay. As for as small focus specifically, the
children were inventive and creative in the things that they built and how they used the materials
(I tried to pull in blocks that they had never used before so that it was a little bit more challenging
yet still achievable). They struggled with drawing blue prints, but enjoyed the building process.
Some carried through with the idea that they were building a dog house (like the story in gather
time and other children didnt). Also, it was interesting for me to note that some group did a really
good job working collaboratively to build their structures and it was impressive what they did,
while other children were more focused on their individual workboth were good, but it was nice
to see that certain children were meeting the objective of team building.
4. Evaluate closing circle. What were some positive aspects of closing circle? What were the
participation needs of the children and how were they met? What would you change for next
time?
Closing circle was good, nothing super exciting but it wasnt bad. The rhythm sticks were hard
because they ended up being used as gun or arrows (so that could have been avoided) but with the

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other activities that I had planned all of the children were able to participate and they were
involved in what was going on. They did really well at the phonemic awareness activity and we
were able to get through a couple of sounds. Also they were engaged in the stories and later asked
to sing 5 Green and Speckled Frogs again. In terms of what I would change, I would definitely
trade rhythm sticks for scarves or something similar. And I think I would have done the movement
song before having the children sit down (so ordering things).
How did you set clear expectations for childrens learning/ behaviors throughout the day?
When everyone was building, we had a fort being built in addition to towers and other things, so
the other teachers and I were sure to reinforce safety and block rules with the children. They
structures could not go higher than their shoulders and that limited roof pieces could be used to
keep them from falling on the children. The children needed to be reminded several times, but
stayed within the limits set. Also, it was good that the children were told what was going to
happen in small focus so that as soon as we got there, they were ready and knew what they were
doing.
What changes, or deviations, from the written plan did you make? Were they helpful? Why or
why not?
The foam blocks were used instead of the cardboard blocks, which ended up not being a bad thing
since the children used them primarily in the bucket with the pulley, also it was a type of block
that the children hadnt used yet so they were challenged in a different way during small focus. In
the sensory table, another lab was using the trucks I had planned on using, so we used wagons and
the children that I had initially planned that activity for, were not very interested, so it wasnt the
best trade I could have made.
If you were to teach this plan again what would you do differently?
I think that for the most part everything went like I had planned, but I would definitely change the
sensory table to be more engaging and create more of a challenge for the childrengive them
something that they had not yet experienced. In addition to the other changes that I have
mentioned previously, and just generally I would want to better at transitions.
How was your lead teaching better this time compared to the last time you taught?
I feel like today was better just because I felt more comfortable with what to do and how to do
thingsthat Im more comfortable with how lab runs and so that made things easier. And the
biggest thingI know the children better now than I did the first time I taught so I was able to
better plan for them rather than just writing a plan.
What did you learn about yourself as a preschool teacher? What are some specific goals you
would like to work on for your next lead teaching day?
Goals for my next lead teaching day: the main one would be to improve transitions. I think those
are the hardest part of the day, they are hard on the children and its something that comes with
time, I know that, but its something that I want to pay closer attention to when writing and
implementing my next lesson plan.
Some things that I learned about me today: Ive been noticing that I enjoy being in the block area
with the children and challenging what they do, but today especially I realize just how much I
enjoy blocks (maybe because we had so many different kinds out). And I found that Im better at
having meaningful conversations with the children in the block area than anywhere else in the
classroomand its interesting because I didnt play with blocks a lot as a child, but now it is
quickly becoming my favorite thing. Also, I learned that its good to have activities that hold the
childrens attention because more powerful learning takes placeso its important to be
thoughtful and plan purposefully with the children in mind.