Wendy Lemon

Education 320-01 Teaching Reading

November 30, 2013
Field Experience- final presentation





My Education 320-01 field placement assignment was at Cross Lanes Elementary in Mrs.
Joanna Coreys first grade classroom. On September 13, 2013, I went to the school and
introduced myself to Principal Brown and the classroom teacher, Mrs. Corey. We determined
that observations would begin the following Wednesday, September 18, 2013. The first third of
the field placement was primarily focused on classroom observations and aiding in performing

Read-a-loud

Alarmed by the number of
students that had not
developed a love for reading I
chose to read as my read-a-
loud:
I WILL NOT READ THIS BOOK
By
Cece Meng
I had a great response from
the students in this class. One
of the students who greatly
dislike reading asked me to
read it to the class again.
Surprised by the response;
Mrs. Cory allowed me to read
it again right then.

Wendy Lemon
Education 320-01 Teaching Reading
November 30, 2013
Field Experience- final presentation

assessments on the students. Assessment evaluations performed included: number recognition,
counting, and sight word recognition.
On September 25, 2013, I worked with the students on completing the reading interest
inventory that I had created. Out of the 20 children that completed the interest inventory, six
children marked that they did not like to read, four students marked they did not even like to
have books read to them, and six marked that they did not like books associated with learning.
This was very disheartening to me. When discussing this with Mrs. Corey, it was brought to my
attention that there are six students in the class that work with the reading interventionist 30
minutes each day. I decided that I would have to find a book that would challenge even those
that did not like reading to be intrigued. I also noted that the eighteen of the twenty students
liked adventure books, eighteen liked animals in the book, and seventeen liked going to the
library. I decided to go to the local library and choose a book that the students could later check
out themselves. Based on the positive and negative feedback concerning reading obtained from
the interest inventory; I chose the book I Will Not Read This Book, by CeCe Meng for the
Read-a-loud presentation on October 16, 2013. This book is an adventure book, has some
animals in it, and challenges those who dislike reading to consider it again. After reading the
book, I asked the students if they enjoyed me reading that book to them. Every student in the
class stated that they really liked the book. One student who had previously showed detest for
reading asked for the book to be read a second time. With Mrs. Coreys permission the book
was read a second time with the students reading along. I felt a great sense of accomplishment
from this particular activity and was able to see the true purpose of data based assessing.
Wendy Lemon
Education 320-01 Teaching Reading
November 30, 2013
Field Experience- final presentation

The second-third of the observation was focused on shadowing phonics lessons, preparing
for the upcoming lessons, and teaching Lessons 21 and 24 of the Saxon Phonics program. Each
lesson was broke down into 45 minute segments. Each lessons included an alphabet activity,
Phonological/Phonemic Awareness activity, Letter and Sound Review, and a Spelling sound
review. New letters were introduced with a new letter card, picture card, and spelling card as a
whole group activity. New content was then applied to a written assignment that had the
children identify pictures, beginning sounds, and letters, and then write the letters in connection
with corresponding pictures. Students were given the directions according to the curriculum.
While students completed their work, we used the document camera to provide additional
support.
During the final third of the field experience time, I had several opportunities to observe
Dibbles testing, participate in reading rotations, and complete several more read-a-loud
activities. Having exposure to Dibbles testing was an experience that I had not had the
opportunity to observe close up in the past and felt that the experience was very beneficial. I
also had the opportunity to learn several new strategies in teaching literacy and phonemic
awareness.
This was a great field placement and had many positive aspects to observe concerning
teaching strategies, supplemental activities, classroom environment. There were a few things
that I would change if this were my classroom. I would have a tote of books that could be
checked out and taken home with students. This would allow families that do not have books in
their home to have one there for bedtime or cuddle-time reading. Since pleasure reading is vital
for enhancing the love of reading, I would set aside time so students could read individually or
Wendy Lemon
Education 320-01 Teaching Reading
November 30, 2013
Field Experience- final presentation

with a partner. I would also move the reading center into a more predominate location in the
room instead of by the back door. Since the class has no books for learning to perform a task, I
would bring several into the room. Some of these books could be used by students at their desk
and some could be used for large or small group projects. I would also change out visual
displays in the classroom on a regular basis so that students still be engaged by the visuals and
not simply perceive them as dcor. I would have a different seating arrangement to better allow
for small group and collaborative learning. One final change that I would really like to see is a
more inviting computer lab that promotes a comfortable learning environment. Although, these
may seem like small changes, I believe that small changes can make the a big difference.
This experience has opened my eyes to the struggles that even the youngest of readers face on
a daily basis. My sense of responsibility to promote a positive learning environment and a love
for reading is heightened more than ever. I absolutely love working with the younger children
and am very anxious to use some of the new strategies I have learned in the near future.