Classroom Observation Paper

Being an early childhood teacher is a continuous journey; it has the potential to be challenging, fortifying and constantly changing. Nevertheless, exceeding all else it is rewarding. There not only is the role of the teacher crucial but also the role of the Early Childhood Facility, it along with the teachers take on numerous roles during the day. The environment establishes the framework for everything that happens within the facilities. In other words, it’s a location where children and educators spend long hours daily. It’s a place where needs are met and relationships cultivated to include skills learned, abilities enhanced and attitudes for learning formed. The two diverse Early Childhood Facilities I visited were: McRae Learning

McRae-Gaines Learning Center uses Wonders Reading Curriculum for reading and Go Math Curriculum for math. Each curriculum connects the students to standards that are comprehensive (McRae-Gaines Learning Center). Whereas, Byrd 1st Class Learning Center promotes school readiness for low-income children through the enhancement of cognitive, social, and emotional development in a learning environment. The foundation of the curriculum consists of: language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, as well as approaches to learning. However, they also use Gold Teaching Strategies for their instructional materials (Byrd 1st Class Learning

However, both McRae-Gaines and Byrd acknowledge their high-quality intensive programs have had positive outcomes from its students (McRae-Gaines Learning Center, Byrd 1st Class Learning Center). The staff at Byrd acknowledged that young children learn better through engaging in spontaneous and reciprocal interactions (Byrd 1st Class Learning Center). Attitudinal gains among the students at McRae-Gaines and Byrd appear to be one continuous movement of students as they obtain the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to succeed. The staff at McRae indicated that most of the student’s attitudes were quite positive; they had a desire to understand what they were reading they didn’t want to just finish the passage (McRae-Gaines Learning Center). The self-reflective behavior of the instructors in both facilities demonstrated positive results. At some point, we all must live up to our core values and personal mission, however, if we do not have structure we can end up anywhere. The instructors both implemented a set of guidelines to guide them. I felt both instructors were people others could emulate and respect. I also felt they met the expectations and regulatory guidance of the system in which they