Elementary Classroom Observation

For my observations this semester, I am observing Mrs. Debbie Clay’s 8th grade US history class. Mrs. Clay is the head of the social studies department at Brink Jr. High in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This school is one of the top junior highs in the state. Though her room is quite small, Mrs. Clay effectively utilizes the space she has. Desks are arranged in rows and columns, with one set of desks facing directly towards the front, and another set facing towards the front at a slight angle. A Smart Board is mounted at the front of the room, with the attached computer setting to the side on a desk. Adjacent to the computer desk lies another desk, which Mrs. Clay actually uses as her desk. On the opposite side of the teacher’s desks lies the aid’s desk. One of the walls has an old fashioned chalkboard that runs the length of the wall. Attached to this …show more content…
The Opposite wall has a couple file cabinets, a set of shelves, and a table with a printer against it. The back wall has more maps, a couple of history related posters, another filing cabinet, and another shelf. The school lies on the outskirts of Oklahoma City, so there is some diversity in student body, but not as much as much as could be seen elsewhere. The lesson Mrs. Clay presented was not specific to any one race or ethnic group and could have been taught in a variety of different schools (Diversity: Competency 11a.) As could be expected for in an experienced teacher’s class, the students appeared to be quite well behaved. They were free to ask questions throughout the