The Musings of a Sub (Module I Field Experience)

About the School Where You Are Observing or doing Field Experience
School Name and City: Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, Palos Hills
Type of School: Elementary school, Middle School, High School, or Other: High School
Setting: Urban, Suburban, or Rural: Suburban

Write your responses to the three questions below in paragraph form.
1.       List any special features of the school or classroom setting (e.g., themed magnet, classroom aide, bilingual, co-taught with a special education teacher, pull-out program).
The classroom I substitute taught was an Extended Sophomore Academic English, meaning that they had an entire period of English class along with an extra half period in the class as well. I would assume that the students in this class tend to struggle with the subject of English, judging by the extra half -period they are assigned to take.

2.       Describe any district, school, or cooperating teacher requirements or expectations that affects the planning or delivery of instruction, such as required curricula, pacing plan, use of specific instructional strategies, or standardized tests.
To be completely honest, I do not know of any requirements or expectations that affect delivery. The only experience in the school setting that I have had so far is substitute teaching and coaching. In February, I am planning on making the transition from the laboratory to the classroom, as a full-time substitute teacher.


About the Students in this Class [Give a brief or one word response]
1.    Estimated percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch: 50%?
2.    Grade level(s): 10th (Sophomore)
3.    Number of
a.    students in the class: 25-30
b.    males: 15-20
females: 15-20
c.     English language learners: <5 (ballpark estimate)
d.    students identified as gifted and talented: 0

e.    students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans: Information not provided to me.

About the Class You Observed
1.       How much time is devoted each day to instruction in the classroom? Describe the class periods (if applicable)? Choose a content area of your specialty or major. How much time is devoted to teaching that subject?
As a substitute, I am not present for actual instruction. Having been a student of the district in which I am currently subbing, I would estimate around 20-30 minutes.

2.       Is there any ability grouping or tracking? If so, please describe how it affects your class.
In the class I substituted, I did not see any grouping based on ability or tracking.


3.       Identify any textbook or instructional program you primarily use for instruction. If a textbook, please provide the title, publisher, and date of publication.
The English class I was in did not make much use of their official textbook. Rather they were reading the short novel Speak.

4.       List other resources (e.g., SMARTBoard, manipulatives, online resources) used for instruction in this class.
The paradigm has shifted towards the use of more technology. All students are now given Chromebooks and their assignments are given and submitted online. 



5.       What do you know about what your students know, what can they do, and what are they learning to do? What do you know about your students’ everyday experiences, cultural backgrounds and practices, and interests?
To be completely honest, aside from the few students who are my players, I do not know much about the students I am assigned to. I am familiar with their ethnic backgrounds, having attended Stagg as a student, and the culture of the school but not much else.
  

6.       Describe one teaching event. What best practices in teaching were used?
A few students came to me for help on their assignment. They were having trouble identifying first person view from third person view. I helped them by giving them examples of both. For example “I hate English class” is first person while “Jim really hates English class” is written in the third person. Yes, I really did use those examples. I like to incorporate humor into my classrooms.

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