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Classroom management will appear very different in a daycare or preschool setting compared to a K–3 setting. For example, daycare and preschool settings highly encourage social play and exploration. That’s not to say that K–3 settings don’t offer those options, but these grades usually incorporate more academic and structured learning.
Source and schedule observations of 2 early childhood education programs that meet the following criteria:
1 observation must be in an early childhood setting that serves children from birth through preschool, such as Head Start, a Montessori school, a licensed daycare, or a preschool facility.
1 observation must be in an early childhood setting that serves children in kindergarten through grade 3.
Ensure each observation:
Is at least 1 hour in duration
Includes an indoor and outdoor play setting, if possible
Submit your observation locations to your instructor for approval by Week 3.
Use the Observation Chart to guide and document your observations.
Write a 525- to 700-word reflection paper that compares each observation and provides the following information:
Describe each setting. Include the type of setting, the grade or age level, the classroom demographics, and the philosophy, model, or approach the school/program follows.
Describe the classroom organization at each observation and determine how it impacted classroom management and promoted physical, social, and cognitive development.
Describe the student engagement or non-engagement at each observation and determine what factors contributed to that. Include any evidence of efforts made to help engage the students.
Describe the classroom expectations and interactions at each observation and determine whether they were clear and developmentally appropriate. Provide examples of evidence of positive reinforcement, mutual respect, and positive interactions between the children and the teacher.
Describe the schedule, transitions, and routines at each observation. Determine whether the schedules were developmentally appropriate, and whether or not the routine activities and transition practices between activities were effective.
Summarize any insight gained from these observations and identify if there was anything surprising to you about either of the observations. Explain how you will apply it to your future role as a teacher.
Cite references to support your reflection paper.
Format your citations according to APA guidelines.
Record your field experience observations in My Time Log in Tk20.
Submit your observation chart and reflection paper.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Your Reflection Paper
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Observation Locations:
- Step 1: Schedule and observe two early childhood education programs, making sure to get approval for your locations from your instructor by Week 3.
- Step 2: Your observations must last at least one hour each, and if possible, include both indoor and outdoor settings.
- Step 3: Choose one observation from a setting serving children from birth through preschool (e.g., Head Start, Montessori, licensed daycare) and one from a setting serving children in kindergarten through grade 3.
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Writing the Reflection Paper:
- Length: Your paper should be between 525 and 700 words in total.
- Format: Follow the APA format for citations and references.
- Sections:
A. Describe Each Setting (150–200 words):
- Provide a detailed description of the two educational settings you observed.
- Include:
- The type of setting (Head Start, Montessori, daycare, etc.).
- The age or grade level of the children served.
- Demographics of the classroom (e.g., number of children, diversity, etc.).
- The philosophy, model, or approach followed by the school/program (e.g., play-based, structured learning, etc.).
B. Classroom Organization (100–150 words):
- Describe the classroom organization during each observation.
- Discuss how the classroom layout, materials, and activities impacted:
- Classroom management.
- Physical, social, and cognitive development of the children.
C. Student Engagement and Non-Engagement (100–150 words):
- Describe the level of engagement you observed from the children during the activities.
- Determine what factors contributed to the engagement or non-engagement, such as:
- Activities provided.
- Classroom environment.
- Teacher interactions.
- Discuss any strategies the teacher used to engage the students.
D. Classroom Expectations and Interactions (100–150 words):
- Discuss the expectations for student behavior in both settings.
- Determine whether they were clear, developmentally appropriate, and respectful.
- Provide examples of positive reinforcement and positive interactions between the teacher and children (e.g., praise, guidance, mutual respect).
E. Schedule, Transitions, and Routines (100–150 words):
- Describe the daily schedule, routines, and transitions between activities in both settings.
- Assess whether these schedules and transitions were developmentally appropriate (e.g., did the children have enough time for play, rest, and structured activities?).
- Evaluate how effective these transitions were in maintaining student engagement and minimizing disruptions.
F. Insights and Surprises (50–100 words):
- Summarize any insights you gained from the observations.
- Mention if there was anything surprising or unexpected in either of the observations.
- Reflect on how you can apply what you learned to your future role as a teacher, such as improving classroom management, engaging students, or setting clear expectations.
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Conclusion:
- Summarize key points about the comparison between the two observations.
- Provide a thoughtful reflection on how each environment supports the development of young children and how classroom management plays a role.
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Citations and References:
- Cite any relevant references to support your observations and conclusions. For example, you may reference classroom management theories, child development models, or academic sources on early childhood education.
- Format your citations according to the APA guidelines.
Tips for Writing Your Paper:
- Make sure to refer to your Observation Chart to document all key observations during your field experiences.
- Focus on providing specific, concrete examples of what you observed in the classroom to support your analysis.
- Use clear and concise language to describe your insights and reflections.
By following this guide, you will be able to structure your paper logically and provide a detailed, well-supported reflection on your observations in early childhood education settings.
Good luck, and remember to engage deeply with your observations to create a meaningful reflection!
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