Field Placement Top Ten

1. Every student has a unique perspective and contributes to the overall classroom environment.

I learned this by going up to students and saw a glimpse of students’ lives outside of school.
Each student had a different experience in and out of school and would learn in very distinct
ways. Every student had their own perspective on the material being taught and how they would
understand the concepts being taught. Some students would try to draw connections to their
personal life while others needed to these connections to be made by the teacher. Moreover, each
student would apply the material in different ways on projects and assignments since they
thought in a unique way.

2. A classroom has so many moving components each class period.

When I first went to my field placement I was surprised how many components there are to a
classroom. Classroom management was so important as my lead teacher would have to focus
more on the behavior of his classroom more than teaching. I had respect for the tolerance my
lead teacher had and how many things he would have to focus on at once. My lead teacher could
not trust students to behave properly so he was always managing behaviors while teaching at the
same time. He could never solely focus on teaching and had to monitor students at all times.

3. Students can accomplish more working in groups.

My lead teacher used group work for the majority of his class and I could see a difference from
when he used groups compared to independent work. Students were much more engaged when
they were able to discuss it with others. Obviously, some groups got off task but students had
more trouble focusing when working alone as they would get bored extremely easily. Students
can also learn from each other in groups and will ultimately accomplish more through
collaboration.

4. Each class period is different and adjust your plan for each group of students.

During my field experience, I observed two classes that were very different. My teacher would
use similar methods of teaching but would have to adjust the assignments for each class. At first,
I thought he would try to use the same assignments but I quickly noticed the need for
adjustments in each class. Students learn in different ways and it is important to adjust each class
for the students in each class.
5. Allow students to think for themselves and let them be creative with assignments.

I was very surprised/impressed with the thoughts students could create on their own relating to
the material in class. Students also seemed more engaged when they were pushed within their
thought process and forced to think for themself. Students enjoyed using their creativity and
learn more from creation rather than repetition.

6. Attempt to get students out of their seats and moving around while learning.

I noticed students struggled to stay in their seats for more than 10 minutes, much less the entire
class period. Students are sitting all day and need to be active for some portion of the day. It
doesn’t have to be complex but simply asking students to get up and stretch can make a big
difference in their attentiveness.

7. Students enjoy games/competition, no matter how simple or complex.

One class period I observed students played a study game and were the most attentive/engaged I
have ever seen. Ine class particularly struggled to focus as a whole but every student was
engaged on the day of the review game. I think it has to do with the competition involved in a
review game as students’ competitiveness got them more involved in the class.

8. Place some accountability on students so they can learn to be responsible students.

I noticed my lead teacher’s students could not be held accountable on any measure and I think it
has to do with the lack of accountability placed on the students. I understand you can not place
everything upon students but introducing students to responsibility can make a difference in the
long run.

9. Create a routine from students so they know what to expect on a daily basis.

My lead teacher had a routine in place and for my service learning project, I tried to adjust this
routine very slightly to try and help out my lead teacher. When I tried to implement it I noticed
students were used to the routine in place and struggled to adjust to a different method. Students
get used to a routine and if the routine is effective it can be a good way for students to be effect
in a classroom since they know the expectations set in place.
10. Show some of your personality to your students.

I noticed students would feel more comfortable showing their own personality whenever my lead
teacher or I showed a glimpse of our own personality. I believe students have a mindset teachers
have power over them instead work with them and showing students a teacher wants to work
with you can shift this mindset. A teacher can seem more relatable when they appear to be
human since students can start to realize a teacher might actually want to help them. I tried this
and got much more of a response from students when I was more vulnerable and shared more of
my personality compared to times where I behaved strictly as a teacher.