Artifact 1

ED 270 Final Observation

Student: Cheryl Hoskinson
Elementary
Practicum Supervisor: Jennifer Margolis

School: Cedaroak Park

Term: Winter 2016

I observed Cheryl on February 22, 2016 while she was working in the Life
Learning class with students in grades 1-5. During this time, the students
initially were sitting in a group at a table and working on reading. Cheryl
assisted one of the students individually to help read a book about animals.
She prompted the student to look at the book, and pointed out things in the
illustrations to help the student understand the story. Cheryl engaged the
student by asking questions about the story and redirected the student
when needed to help the student remain on task.
The class then transitioned to a group activity where the head teacher read
a story to the class. Several of the students in the class use a talking
computer with icons on it to help them communicate, and Cheryl did a great
job of helping students find the icons for the words from the story.
After the group reading activity, the class then worked as a group for math.
Cheryl worked 1:1 with a student to identify shapes, and used the talking
computer as an aide. She would ask the student which one of those is a
square? and have the student point to the icon. Cheryl would give positive
feedback, then repeat the shape, Yes, thats a square. The head teacher
was sitting nearby and suggested that Cheryl use two-word directions, such
as Touch square. Cheryl immediately changed her strategy, which worked
very well for the student. This demonstrated Cheryls ability to incorporate
feedback, as well as working together as a team to ensure that instruction
was delivered in a similar manner from all of the staff working in the
classroom.
Cheryl did an excellent job working with a group of students who have a
wide range of abilities, and with some students that could at times be
challenging. Cheryl has a good connection with the students, and is
respectful and patient in her interactions. She thinks about how to best help
the students and is ready to ask questions to other staff about what she
needs to do. Cheryl is very observant and tries to incorporate how she sees
other staff working with the students into her own approaches. For
example, based on her Journals, Cheryl reported that she noticed that one
student would often wave at Cheryl. Cheryl discovered that the student was

waving not to connect with Cheryl, but to have Cheryl be aware that she
wanted her to back away and give her space. Consequently, Cheryl realized
that it was best to watch this student from a distance rather than standing
close to the student as she played on the playground swings.
Cheryl handed in all of her written work in a timely manner, and it was
always thoughtful and well done. She did a great job this term!