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Brianna Bartlett
Linda Williams
EDUC 350
23 October 2018
Field Notes

Observed: Mrs. Scandary’s 8th Grade Science Class

1. Impressions of one day: 10/25
a. Start of the day: The class began with announcements, as well as Mrs. Scandary
addressing the students who were leaving for their field trip. She let them know that
they needed to begin their lab write up with the questions she would discuss, as well
as coming in for lunch to finish the in-class activity.
b. Learning target:
i. Apply terms of astronomy to describe planetary motion
ii. Agenda: Holy Grail Video, Introduction to the Light Lab Problem and
Research Questions, Vocabulary terms for Astronomy
iii. Standard: ESS 3.3 The Solar System is comprised of various objects that orbit
the Sun and are classified based on their appearance.
c. Work covered. Mrs. Scandary went talked with the students about possible research
questions for their upcoming lab write-up. She also had them finish the Space booklet
activity from the class before.
d. Accomplished: The learning target for the day was indeed accomplished.
e. Since the lesson was contingent my previous lesson, the student’s assessment will be
the booklet they complete.
f. Yes, during announcements, a couple students in the classroom were speaking loudly,
so respect for the man giving the announcements was requested as well as silence in
the future during announcements.
g. Reflection: I quite enjoy Mrs. Secondary’s lessons; I think she challenges the students
to think for themselves without going to overboard with it so that they get confused. I
think if I were to teach it, I would go over more specifically what the students needed
to do for their booklets. There were a couple who were very confused
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2. List and Explain 2 teaching strategies/techniques/activities observed in class

a. Mrs. Scandary used discussion in class as well as kinetic and creative aspects in order
to engage the students bodies as well by allowing them to color and cut-out their
books.
3. What kind of technology is being used in class?
a. Mrs. Scandary always uses her Smart Board in order to display the date, the
objectives, a trivia question, as well as any upcoming due dates. Also all of the
students have computers, and they often bring them out to do research or complete
assignments.
4. Numbers and changes needed for learning and lesson planning for the class you will teach:
a. There are _17_ students in the class I observed, but I also observe a class of _22_.
b. Number of students with exceptionalities:
i. IEP: 2 504: 2 GT: 0 ELL: 2
c. When lessons are taught, often the aid will help the student write down the
information. Also some of the students are not required to do as much work.
5. Classroom:
a. Throughout the classroom are a variety of posters the students made, based on the
newest scientific research. There is also an assortment of posters on scientists and
historically significant people in science. On the teacher’s desk area of the classroom
there is a lot of KU gear as well as inspiration quotes and information about the
Olympics, as Mrs. Scandary referees the Olympics (swimming).
b. As for how the classroom is situated, I think the lighting and the clock visibility is
okay. I might change the seating arrangement of the students so that they are closer
together. Some of the students are off to their own a little bit and it makes it harder to
teach them in the classroom when they are so far away.
6. Learning Outcomes:
a. Describe ways to create a positive and productive learning environment
i. By having the students participate in a variety of activities, they can engage
more parts of their brain. In having the students color to learn about the
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planets, as well as think about what type of research questions they have for
their new lab, they engage both sides of their brain: the analytical and the
creative. Also in having the students all face the same direction as well as sit
side by side with another student, it encourages peer learning as well as
allowing the students to pay attention to the board easier.
b. Understand attitudes and actions that are within our control
i. When listening to announcements, it is important for the students to not talk.
However, when they do talk, it is within the teacher’s control to ask respect of
the students for the person giving announcements. Respect is key, especially
for adults in charge, and in reminding the student of the respect they need to
give their superiors; they push the student to operate under an attitude of
respect by acting respectfully.