J. B. Hunt Elementary Classroom Observation

I observed Mrs. Collier’s first grade class at J.B. Hunt elementary on Thursday September 13, 2015. The classroom had a great climate and was decorated nicely. She had bright posters hanging on the wall as well as many colorful boxes, curtains, and chairs around the room. The desks were set up in one giant “U” with Mrs. Collier sitting in the middle. It was a great set up for the kids because they could easily see her and she could easily see them. The dynamics in the classroom seemed great because she connected well with each student and was interested in what they had to say. The students behavior seemed very respectful towards her and they listened when she asked them to do something. Mrs. Collier’s equity between her and her students was
very even. She made a point to call on every student and wouldn’t allow the students to get a question wrong. Though, she does not do a good job about being discreet with the children that need extra help. When students would get called out into the hall, she would stop class and announce which student needed to leave. I thought it was uncalled for and a little embarrassing for the students. The classroom did not have much diversity in it.
There were no African Americans, and few Hispanics. Each child seemed relatively the same social status, and there was a very close ratio of girls to boys. With the classroom having a pretty close to equal amount of girls to boys in it, I think it balanced out the rowdy 1st grade boys to the calmer 1st grade girls. Though, I did not like the way she handled disciplining a child that acted out. Mrs. Collier has a disciplinary system that focuses on ramifications and rewards. She has a point system that can earn them rewards, but if they are bad she takes their points away and it can cause them to get a note written home to their parents about their behavior. Mrs. Collier would make a point to call the student out and embarrass them. At one point during their reading time, we were reading a book that had the theme of kids learning their lesson from their actions. She specifically called out one little girl in front of the whole class and pointed out a time when she messed up. Mrs. Collier told the whole class what her punishment was and said, “That’s why you should never do that class”. I thought it was very inappropriate, rude and embarrassing for the kids. It made me realize that I would never handle a situation like that when I become a
teacher.