My Service Learning Observations: Part Seven

I feel as though all throughout this course I have been successful in connecting my course topics and my blog posts. I have been able to observe many things in the classroom that have connected with my coursework. The fact that my observations and the course have connected have made the class more engaging. The blogs have been a good way for me to assess the things that I've been learning. I have really enjoyed keeping a blog as a way to monitor my learning and my understanding of the course material.

Blogging has been a wonderful way for me to monitor some of the things I've seen in the classroom. It has been a good way for me to think about the things I've seen on a deeper level. Blogging has helped me to keep track of the good and the bad things I've seen in the classroom. It has been a good way to take note of some of the strategies I'd like to use in my classroom. From my first blog post to the last I've seen a growth of the things I've observed in the classroom. I have noticed that by the last blog post I felt much more comfortable expressing the things that I had seen and learned and comparing it to our topics.

My Service Learning Observations: Part Six

In my service learning placement I see lots of evidence of the core curriculum in use. I know this because in my classroom my teacher uses an app that is supported by the core and deals with many of the items core requires. The kids use this app on the ipads for 20 minutes 2 times a week. The app is for reading and English skills. It works at the students level and they move up at their own pace. I have seen my teacher take or record data for the core as well. And she talked to me about the data and explained it me. She tests reading comprehension and English skills every week.

In my service learning placement I have seen an emphasis on Language Arts, Reading and or English more than any of the other subjects of core. I have not seen math or science addressed. I believe that I have seen the emphasis on English because number one I go to their class the same day every week at the same time so I see the same things in their schedule every week. And number two it is my understanding that they cover their math and science sections in their Spanish class. My teacher believes that standardized testing can be beneficial if they are adaptable depending on the level of each student.

My Service Learning Observations: Part Five

I have seen lots of diversity in my service learning placement as I'm sure is seen in every classroom. The one set of diverse kids that stand out to me are the ones who may have learning disabilities or are just a little bit slower to catch up with the rest of the kids in their class. For these particular students they just need a little extra time, or practice. My service learning teacher has me and parent volunteers pull these students into the hall to practice. We practice sounds, sight words or we read a book. I know that the one on one help is very beneficial for these students. My teacher also helps these students by sending notes home to parents to let them know what needs to be practiced at home.

Another diversity that I've seen is that there are many students who come from different cultural backgrounds. This could mean, religion, race, language etc. My service learning teacher recognizes this and makes culture a part of the class. She values all students and their participation and encourages students to share how they feel or what they value. The students are encouraged to often work as teams on assignments so they get to hear all different ideas and values that are among their classroom. I have been blessed to see diversity in a classroom and to see how diversity can be a beneficial part of the classroom experience.