Blog Entry 1 - 5/23

The classroom I observed had a range of individual development. The students were in first grade and therefore still had a large gap from the education they received at home, where they were at developmentally, and the kindergarten classroom they had come from. All of the students could read but as I witnessed either during one on one time or as the class read aloud, some read very comfortably and others slowly and with more difficulty. There was also a difference in maturity. Some students were able to sit still, listen, line up, etc. while others required a lot of prompting and occasional help. I also saw a difference in levels of interest based on the type of information or the way it was being taught. 

I spent mostly mornings in the classroom but was able to observe a few afternoons. During my time I met Ms. Lapossa before the students arrived. She would generally be enjoying a coffee and the last few minutes of the day she had to herself. Depending on the lessons that day she had a few things to prep and I was able to help.  When the students arrived they would take role, pass in homework etc. Any of the to-dos for the day. They would have lessons until recess. Depending on the day Ms. Lapossa would either go with them or would prepare for the next part of her day. Early morning was spent on english and late morning math. I generally left at lunch. The afternoons were spent either in the children's extra curricular classes, such as hebrew, art, and sports club, or in the classroom twice a week doing science and social studies. At the end of the day the students would go over the day, receive homework, cleaning up and discussing the plan for the following day. Ms. Lapossa would spend the after school hours tidying the classroom, grading papers, preparing lessons, and helping with after school activities. A very long and busy day full of lots of energy.