Elementary School Portfolio

Elementary Level Field Observation Reflection

Dommerich Elementary is an Elementary Public School in Maitland, Florida. I contacted

the principal, (Chapter 14, page 459) Dr. Junella Handley, and was assigned to observe in the 1st

grade classroom of Mrs. Joseph.

My daughters have all attended Dommerich, so I knew some things about the school, but

I learned more. The school culture (Chapter 2, page 33) at Dommerich is positive and

professional (Chapter 8, page 246). The Dommerich PTA (Chapter 11, page 373) is active and

supportive. The administration, faculty and staff are all heavily involved with the school and the

community (Chapter 8, page 263). Together, the PTA and the school stay on top of many

cognitive, emotional, social and mental issues. An example would be the existence of both a

fulltime counselor and a fulltime nurse, which are both partially supported by the PTA.

Ginger Joseph has been teaching at Dommerich for 17 years. She has taught

Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. Her favorite grade to teach is 1st grade, due to the growth

that she sees in each child every year. As I observed, I noticed that she is the classroom leader,

teacher and facilitator (Chapter 7, page 199). She has equipped the students with the knowledge

and skills they need to keep the classroom operating so as to provide the best instruction for

every child. Mrs. Joseph is pleased to be working within a positive, supportive environment

where Children come first.

The classroom consisted of 19 students9 boys and 10 girls. They call themselves a

School Family. 15 of the students are white, 4 are African American. In Mrs. Josephs class,

there is one little girl who is currently fighting brain cancer, and has many diverse needs

(Chapter 3, page 58). She was diagnosed when she was 3 years old. Susan has had surgery
and many cancer treatments. I was right away impressed by how the teacher and students care

for Susan and incorporate her into the classroom.

In Mrs. Josephs Class, the daily objectives are posted for all to see. They are in the form

of a question: What strategies help you count to subtract?. Below that, the learning goal is

posted for the math lesson of the day: I will be able to draw a picture and write a number

sentence. Mrs. Joseph pointed out these goals and objectives throughout the day.

I observed many things in Mrs. Josephs Classroom. During one math lesson, Mrs.

Joseph gathered the students on the floor. She started out the lesson by pointing out the learning

objective. She used a Promethean board. Students were given opportunities to work on the

Promethean board. Then, they returned to their seats and used cubes to solve problems. Mrs.

Joseph rotated around the classroom, helping as needed. To conclude the lesson, the students

were called up to show answers on the document cameras. All of the involvement in technology

(Chapter 7, page 205) was very motivating to the students!

During this lesson, assessment (Chapter 5, page 138) was taking place. At the beginning

of the lesson, Mrs. Joseph reminded the students of this assessment they are to keep in mind as

they work. A scale is posted in the classroom:

1I dont understand the learning goal and I need your help.

2I am starting to understand the learning goal and with help I can get the right answer.

3I understand the learning goal and I can work by myself.

4I understand the learning goal and I can teach it to a friend.

Dommerich is my neighborhood school, and I was thrilled to observe and learn more

about the school. After a few days with Mrs. Joseph and her students, I was reminded of the

intrinsic rewards (Chapter 1, page 4) associated with teaching.