I.

Observation 2:
Planning

II.

Grade:
Pre-K

III.

Students:
17 boys, 12 girls

IV.

Setting:
Mrs. Conniffs Pre-K Class at St. Matthias Catholic School
Multi-age (4-5 years old ) classroom, 29 students, 1 head teacher, 2 teachers aides.

V.

Pre-Observation:
The purpose of this observation was to understand how to teacher implements
her monthly plan within the classroom. Each school has a different set up and a variety of
planning styles. I was interested in learning how Mrs. Conniff plans for her classroom. As
I work as an assistant teacher at Stellar Academy, I know that the pre-k class follows a
creative curriculum. I am looking for similar and different styles within both academic
schools.

VI.

Data:
The teacher provided me with her lesson plan sheet for the week to explain how she plans
out her weeks. A new lesson plan is supposed to be written weekly. Mrs. Conniff, with
her great experience of many years is able to finish a lesson plan for the next week during
the weekend. She plans according to specific time intervals of each day. The lesson plans
provided help me with my observations in math and science. Each lesson has an objective
that is included. For example, on Monday for their Art Activity/Science, their objective
was to: identify and describe the attribute of color-painting. They were to mix the color
red and white in order to get the result of pink( Appendix 1). With this introduction, the
children were able to make a scientific observation that whenever the colors red and
white mix, they create the color pink.
The teacher also incorporates religion and pledge in the lesson plans as well as circle
time, story time, music and enrichment paper, which helps with fine motor
skills(Appendix 1).. The classroom also follows a creative curriculum. All days
incorporate the same subjects, but new material within each such as learning about
different colors or new stories from the Bible Stories.
It is the first time St. Matthias Catholic School has only one pre-k class with three
teachers. Instead of common planning, all three teachers work together to teach the
students each lesson as a team effort. Although the students are not incorporated in
creating the lessons, the teacher modifies her lessons to work with the childrens needs. If
a certain student or students have not grasped the concept of the lesson plan, the teacher
reviews the lesson again to ensure the children understand the lesson.

VII.

Analysis:

I believe that the lesson plans are created in a well and organized manner. I like how there
is a specific schedule with concise time intervals for each lesson and activity to take place
during the day. Each art activity, enrichment paper and weekly reader has a standard that
follows it, which makes it easier to understand if the certain activity is age appropriate for
the children. I like that the lesson plan sheet is easy for the teacher to read and also
simple for the class to follow. Children need a certain routine to prepare them for the rest
of the school year. With a routine, teachers will be able to achieve many goals and the
children will succeed with learning those goals. In my opinion, I believe that it would be
great if the pre-k was split into two classrooms. Yes, the three teachers are handling the
twenty-nine students in a great manner. However, it is difficult to try and achieve
teaching each specific lesson and making sure that all the students grasp the concept by
the end. If there were two pre-k classrooms, that would ensure each class to have two
teachers who would be able to provide more attention towards each individual child.
Also, common planning meetings would be able to take place, which would help the
teachers with other concepts and strategies of planning and creating new activities that
the children would enjoy. Having other people state their opinion always helps the brain
run with their imagination and create more new ideas.
I believe that with the common planning meetings, positive behavior guidance strategies
should take place. With a class close to thirty students with only three teachers, it is hard
to be able to control each individual child. If a list was guidance rules was implicated,
children will be able to focus more and feel important. In the article, Pre-K For All
Parent Handbook, I learned that labeling centers for children will help them feel more
comfortable in choosing one and focusing on a certain subject that they can work on
independently or with a friend(89). Also, as I said before, children with a routine are
always more likely to participate more within the classroom and retain a better
understanding of each lesson taught (Appendix 2,3,5). The teacher provides all the
activities this article talks about a child should be engaged in such as literacy centers,
dramatic play, computer, block play, math and manipulatives, nature,science, and
discovery, music and movement, and art (Appendix 5). Each of these is seen throughout
the day of the childs school schedule from morning until the end of the day. I believe that
the teachers lesson plan is well-planned and organized with a few minor changes.
VIII. Recommendations:
As I mentioned before, I believe that a split in the pre-k class to consist of two pre-ks
instead of one would be very beneficial. The teachers would not be as stressed and ample
amount of work would be completed in each classroom, since there are now fourteen in
each class with two teachers rather than three teachers with twenty-nine students. This
split would lead me into speaking about common planning meetings, which would also
benefit teachers by opening their minds to newer ideas. In the classroom, there is a class
schedule posted on the wall, however, I believe a schedule of the lesson plan should be
posted on the wall for parents to view as well. Parents are curious about what their child
learns throughout the day. With the lesson plan posted, their curiosity will turn into
questions for the teachers in how to help their child succeed in understanding the
objectives. The author of the article states, Yes, you must publicize your daily schedule
with times in any program description made during the application and enrollment period
so that families may make informed choices during enrollment (115). A parent should be

aware of what their child is going to be learning throughout the school year before
placing their child into an environment that is new. Overall, I believe the teachers lesson
plan is great, but common planning should be implemented and that two classes should
be created instead of one.
IX:

Post-Observation:
I enjoyed learning about the planning methods of my teacher to complete this
observation. Many new and old methods take place to create her schedule for her class,
which I liked to observe. The system of planning is very similar to the one at Stellar
Academy. A lesson plan created weekly is easier to maintain and organize, which helps
keep the students on track with their routines. I am excited to continue to complete other
observations within this class.

X:

Citations:
Chancellor, C. F. (2015, November).
Pre-K For All Policy Handbook. Retrieved October 9, 2016, from
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/64591C6F-A04A-4167-99FA867578FE4D6F/0/prek_policy_handbook_finaldraft_onlineversion.pdf

XI:

Appendixes:
Appendix 1:

Appendix 2:

Appendix 3:

Appendix 4:
C

Appendix 5: