This field experience allows students to spend an extended length of time in an appropriate classroom working with a cooperating teacher to plan and implement instruction designed to teach objectives in mathematics/ science and evaluate learning outcomes. Students will document and reflect upon the experiences in their assigned classrooms.

Each student will keep a log of all observations during the field experience. Documentation of each day’s activities must be recorded. These written observation notes will include such things as the physical environment; teacher modeling instruction; teacher management techniques; activities outside of the classroom (library, music, or P.E.); and anecdotal recordings about the students. The log should include the complete classroom schedule for the assigned field experience days. The first log will be due to the instructor at the beginning of the second week of field experience via email.

After each lesson is taught, you are to record your reflections of the lesson. The following questions will guide you as you do this self-evaluation.

• Did I accomplish the objective(s)?

• What are the strengths of the instructional techniques that I used in this lesson?

• What are the weaknesses of the instructional techniques that I used in this lesson?

• How did this lesson go in relationship to other lessons?

• How could the lesson be improved?

• Were any students in need of additional instruction/help? What revisions could I have made in this lesson to help these students?

• What other comments do you have about the lesson?

The Integrated Unit should be shared with cooperating teachers as a work in progress. Include suggested changes from the cooperating teacher as she/he is more knowledgeable about the students in the classroom. When your university supervisor comes to observe, provide a copy of the lesson plan you are teaching.

Throughout the field experience, you will be formally and informally evaluated. Three lessons must be evaluated formally. Two evaluations should be completed by the cooperating teacher and one by the WSU supervisor. An evaluation form is furnished for the three formal evaluations. A variety of methods may be used for the informal assessments. Your cooperating teacher will also complete a final evaluation of the pre-student teaching. The cooperating teacher, principal, or the WSU supervisor may request a conference at any time throughout the field experience. These evaluations and your reflective evaluations are to help you critique your ability to work with elementary and middle school age students.

Requirements

Complete all field experience documentation—observation log, lesson plans, reflections, evaluations.

Attendance: If absent from any field experience due to an emergency, you must make arrangements with the cooperating teacher to make up the full amount of time. The cooperating teacher, your CI 413 supervisor, and the building principal must be notified prior to any absence. These people should be contacted at their place of work, unless you have made special arrangements to call them at home. Punctuality is required.

Attend all on-site individual or group conferences conducted by your cooperating teacher, the principal, or your CI 413 supervisor. You may schedule an appointment with the supervisor.

TB documentation must be on file in the Student Services Office, Corbin Room 107 prior to beginning work in an elementary school. The test is valid for one year.

The course grade will be S/U. The following criteria must be met to receive an "S" grade.

• Required attendance.

• Satisfactory completion of classroom observations, instruction, reflections, and evaluations.

Maintained by:  Mara Alagic
Curriculum and Instruction Department
College of Education
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS 67260-0028

Updated October 17, 1999