2nd Grade Classroom
I observed 2nd-grade learners from Calvert ABC pre-school, whose teacher was Audrea Minor. It is worth noting that I learned so much from the observation session. First, I realized Mrs. Minor grouped all the second graders into five groups and positioned them at a table to start their weekly packet. Regarding the environment, the class was well arranged and furnished with different learning centers for learners to learn and play during their free time. During the observation, I worked with Mrs. Minor by helping the students with their homework bNeed help with your assignment ? Reach out to us. We offer excellent services.
The classroom is well-printed and shaded blue. It also has a smartboard and five tables where six learners sit at each table. The class also has learning centers like a board games center and a reading center. The 2nd-grade learners I observed at Calvert ABC School worked on addition and subtraction for mathematics. For reading, the learners identified vocabulary, read stories, and matched words and vocabulary to their correct definitions. The 2nd-grade learners are also combining compound sentences. Unfortunately, during my observation week, the class had no sight words to work on, but they had vocabulary words that they were to match to their correct definitions.
The teacher, Mrs. Minor, used the Hooked on Phonics program for her instruction. The Hooked on Phonics program is a fun and simple approach to giving learners a strong foundation for reading and phonics skills. Mrs. Minor introduced the concept of the day using interactive activities and catchy songs. For instance, she engaged the learners in a story-reading activity, a hooked phonics program. In addition, she utilized the Reading Rocket curriculum for the reading lessons.
Impressively, the 2nd graders I observed are good and excellent readers. Remarkably, four of the five learners in the groups I observed this week could read excellently. In addition, while we were reading passages, I realized almost all learners read excellently. Only one girl required help as we took turns reading the paragraph in our group. As a result, it is appropriate to conclude that the 2nd graders at Calvert School are good readers. While at the reading centers or play centers, I realized that the teacher controlled the learners to reduce chaos and noise. The second graders were never allowed to play unorderly like the kindergarten and pre-school learners. There were exclusive limits and restrictions at the various learning centers created in class.
The class has a reading area or center where learners can sit on sofas or at the table to read stories. Several books are available at the reading center, and learners are free to pick or request their book of choice to read. Amazingly, I never saw any time wasted, even during the transition of activities or lessons. All students transitioned into the next activities procedurally and in an organized manner. Bear et al. confirm that as learner transition to other grades, their play and learning is more controlled to enhance orderly and organization in class (85). For example, I noted that once all learners completed their classwork, they played educational games on the smart board or board games; hence, no time was wasted, and free time was used appropriately to benefit learners. For the last standardized test, most learners performed excellently. There were about four learners who scored below 25% percent. Possibly, this is because the school encourages inclusive education; hence, learners with special needs are less likely to perform well. Besides, three of the four who scored below 25% were students with special needs.
Work Cited
Bear, Donald R., et al. Words their way: Word study for phonics, vocabulary, and spelling. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill, 2017.
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Question 
Read Chapter 6. We are still talking about word study, but we are also including patterns and higher-level skills.
This week, you will observe in a 2nd-grade classroom. You will probably see more worksheets being done rather than play. Should 2nd graders be allowed to have centers and play? Well, I personally think they should, but it should be more controlled and involve more partner games at tables rather than moving freely. I have always been told by NBPTS and other early childhood professionals that if children are not moving and talking, they are not learning. So, I am a firm believer in controlled chaos in the classroom. Had I rather everyone sit quietly at a desk all day? Probably so, but that is not what is best for the child. A child needs movement!
2nd Grade Classroom
What do you see in the classroom? What skills are they working on?
How many sight words? How does the teacher teach sight words? What phonics program or curriculum does she use? What reading curriculum does she use? Are the 2nd graders good readers? Are there books available for the kids to read in their spare time or when they complete their work? Is there any wasted time? How many children scored below the 25% on the last standardized test?