Obervation II

November 14, 2007

I decided to observe Emanuel during Math and Science centers.  The children begin centers around 9:15.  They are in certain groups and are to work on an assignment for each center.  Time allotted is 20 minutes.  The children this morning seemed really enthusiastic.  They were all excited because Papa John's Pizza was bringing lunch to the school that day.  So, it was a little hard to keep them on task.

9:15-  Emanuel's group was to work on their Science booklet, which contains activities on the human body.  I noticed that Emanuel was having trouble just getting started.  He had misplaced his Science booklet.  I started to help Emanuel find it when another child found it on a shelf. 

9:20-  Emanuel was having a lot of difficulty understanding the worksheet on the human body.  He couldn't understand what the directions were meaning.  I sat down and explained to him but he still seemed to have trouble.  As I walked around the room, I noticed Emanuel was just on problem 2.

9:28-  I sat down with Emanuel when I noticed that he was just on problem 4.  The questions were asking for the children to label the bones of the body.  Mr. Tanner had sang a song with the children for the last several days about where each bone was located.  I reminded Emanuel of this song but it didn't seem to help.

9:34-  I finally got Emanuel to start singing the song quietly and he got a few of them right.  But, I noticed he had gotten a lot more wrong.  This troubles me.  I really don't think he can keep up in this group.  These worksheets just seem too difficult for him. 

9:36-  Emanuel had to change centers and go to Math.  Once again, Emanuel could not find his workbook.  Mr. Tanner was able to locate it but he started 4 minutes latter than the others. 

9:40-  Emanuel did not understand the worksheet.  The questions were 3 digit addition.  I worked several different problems for him on a dry erase board. 

9:50-  Emanuel finally started getting some of the answers correct.  He was doing well but then center time ended.  He only had around 5 minutes to work out the problems on his own before time was up. 

I really feel that Emanuel needs to have a one on one tutor.  He had so much trouble understanding these worksheets and by the time he catches on; it's time to switch activities.