Brigham Lesson Reflection

This past week Annie and I taught our lesson in Mrs. Silva’s Kindergarten classroom at Brigham Elementary School.  Our lesson was about the four seasons that our environment goes through.  We talked about what the trees look like, how the temperature feels like outside, and the type of clothes that we wear during that season.

I feel that we had many strengths in our lesson for the Kindergarteners with a few weaknesses as well.  One of the strengths in our lesson was the participation and engagement of the students. Anyone that was in the classroom with us and observing was able to see that most all of the students were very excited throughout our entire lesson and talking with us. The students were eager to participate in the activities and discussions that we provided for them. We did not struggle at all with trying to get answers from the students and their experiences. Most of the time throughout our lesson they were not prompted to share or were eager to share their answer. Even though it was difficult at times managing the students’ excitement I think that it benefitted us because we did not have to vary ways to ask the question. The students were ready with an answer! I think that another strength from our lesson on Thursday were the activities that we provided and engaged in with the students. We incorporated what we have learned from Dr. Husband’s lesson in TCH 274. Our lesson was structured as I do it, we do it, and then you do it. This allowed us to engage in discussions with the students, work with all of the students, and observe what they have taken from our lesson and seeing if they can apply their new knowledge. The beginning of our lesson with the book allowed us to build on and drawn in what the children have experienced and what they know about the seasons in our environment. This book sparked the students’ interest and it began using the vocabulary we wanted them to use throughout the lesson. They were able to hear and see the new vocabulary along with a real picture. I also am really glad that we included an anchor chart in our lesson. It gave the students a visual as well as allowed for the students to contribute to what words should go on our anchor chart.  We also had them participate in completing our anchor chart by adding the leaves for each season onto the trees.

Although I am happy with how our lesson went with the Kindergarteners at Brigham, there are different things that I would change and needed improvement. First of all, I am really happy that the students were so excited, happy, and eager to work with us and participate in our lesson. However, it became difficult when all of the students wanted to talk and did not raise their hand to wait to be called on. They were all so eager and wanted turns that they began talking when they wanted and grabbing for items that we had laid out on the floor. We tried using the attention getter that they have in their classroom, however they did not quiet down after they responded. One factor I think that affects this so much is that they do not see us often. This was only our second time working with the Kindergarteners and we had not been back there since the very first week we were at Brigham. We had a difficult time from the start getting the students to sit down all in a circle and it escalated from there. In order to make this go more smoothly I would have asked the teacher from the beginning what the attention getter was and begin using that with the students as soon as we were all together. I also would have asked the other teachers to come and join our circle to help us keep all of the students on task and help manage the behaviors. They would have been able to help us keep the students in their spots and not scoot closer to us and grab for the materials on the rug. It was difficult working with students you do not know at all and they do not know you as well. Also they were taken to a new room and I think this has an effect on everyone’s behavior. They are in a new environment with new teachers not all students adapt to this change. I think is much more practical and good practice to teach students that you are a little more familiar with. I also would change the way we did the anchor chart. We were unable to put the anchor chart on the board because we did not have the appropriate clips and magnets. So the chart was on the floor with us and the students. The leaves and cotton balls we had were also on the floor because we could not put it up on a surface away from the student’s reach. The students were constantly grabbing for the items and not paying attention to what we were doing. If I was able to change this for a future lesson I would change it into a Smart board activity. Then the students would not be able to grab at the materials and stay where they are seated as well. It would also give each of the students a chance to participate because I would make sure there were enough items for all the students to move on the activity. I would also add in the element of the clothes that are appropriate for the season. This would allow us all to discuss this together as well as incorporate it into an activity all together before they do it independently at their seats.

I am happy with how this lesson went overall. We worked with the situations and made them work for us and the students. I think that the students enjoyed all of the activities and learned something new as well!