Claudia Govea

ECE 251/ SEC. 3001

Classroom Observation

October 09, 2017

Classroom Observation

1. School: CSN ECE LAB SCHOOL (North Las Vegas) Telephone: (702) 651-4001

2. Teacher: Susan Smythe Age/ Grade Level: 3-4 years old

3. Number Children: 5

4. List of Centers

a. Arts & Crafts Center

i. 3 children

b. Building Center

i. 3 children

c. Reading Center

i. 5-6 children

d. Home Center

i. 2 children

e. Dramatic Play Center

i. 3 children

f. Sand and Water Center

i. 4 children

g. Math Center

i. 3 children
5. Floor plan

6. Checklist

a. Arrangement of Physical Space

i. Clear Pathways

ii. Dead Space

iii. Every Item at a Child’s Reach

iv. Math Area

v. Block Area

vi. Reading Area

vii. Dress up Area

viii. Sand and Water Area

ix. Kitchen Area

x. Noise Control

b. Learning Materials, Equipment, Furniture

i. Chairs.

ii. Tables

iii. Shelves

iv. Rugs

v. Pillows

vi. Cubbies

vii. Books

viii. Toys

ix. Easel for Art

 x. Couch

xi. Mats

xii. Space for privacy

xiii. Children Displays

c. Storage of Materials and Equipment

i. Cubbies

ii. Hooks

iii. Plastic Containers/Baskets

d. Other Elements of Physical Environment

i. Natural Lighting

ii. Ventilation

iii. Ramps

iv. Handrails

v. Water Fountain

vi. Restrooms.

vii. Sink

7. Checklist

a. Arrangement of Physical Space

i. Clear Pathways

1. Some of the sections in the classroom contained enough space for

the children to navigate to each center. There was not enough

space for children to change from one center to another center.

 Children were able to walk from one center to another center right

through it.

ii. Dead Space

1. Not Present

iii. Every Item at a Child’s Reach

1. All the items in the center are at a level that the child can reach

without the help of the caregiver. Childs can see over the furniture.

iv. Math Area

1. Upstairs with plenty of space for children to learn the concepts of

math.

v. Block Area

1. The block area was an area where there was not enough space

provided. The section of the blocks was small for children to move

around and be able to build projects.

vi. Art Area

1. Art area also has a small section.

vii. Reading Area

1. Has the biggest section in the classroom. Children sit on the floor

on mats when they are in this center.

viii. Dress up Area

1. Dress up has a space children are able to move around in the

center.

ix. Sand and Water Area

 1. This center contains only one table and it is a small space in the

classroom.

x. Kitchen Area

1. Kitchen area is combined with the dress up are in the classroom

xi. Noise Control

1. Not Present

b. Learning Materials, Equipment, Furniture

i. Chairs

1. Are in a height where children can sit on their own. No broken

chip or damage chairs in the classroom. Chairs are stable and can

hold the child while sitting.

ii. Tables

1. There are tables in the classroom spread in different areas. All

tables are in good condition. No table has any signs of damage.

iii. Shelves

1. Shelves are there to hold child's belongings.

iv. Rugs

1. There is a rug in the center of the reading section. The rug is in

good condition. There is no tears and rugs are maintain clean no

stains on the rugs.

v. Pillows

1. Pillows are in good condition. Only used when children are going

to nap.
 vi. Cubbies

1. They are in the entrance of the classroom. Height is good for the

child. Children leave their belongings once they arrive.

vii. Books

1. A variety of books all in good condition.

viii. Toys

1. Toys are organized by center. They are maintain in good

conditions. No hazard toys in the classroom.

ix. Easel for Art

1. Only one in the classroom. Only two children per easel.

x. Couch

1. One couch in the classroom where the teacher sits to read to

children during circle time.

xi. Mats

1. Each child has their individual matt with their name and picture on

the matt.

xii. Space for privacy

1. Not Present

xiii. Children Displays

1. All around the classroom. Examples: paintings, drawings, crafts,

and pictures.

c. Storage of Materials and Equipment

i. Cubbies
 1. Used to store the belongings of the child,

ii. Hooks

1. Used inside the cubbies for children to hang coats

iii. Plastic Containers/Buckets

1. Around the whole classroom used to separate toys and other

materials

d. Other Elements of Physical Environment

i. Natural Lighting

1. Windows are present curtains are there to let in natural lighting.

ii. Lighting

1. There close 12 lights in the ceiling. Good lighting no flickering in

the classroom

iii. Ventilation

1. Air is controlled. Room Temperature is fine

iv. Ramps

1. Not Present

v. Handrails

1. Not Present

vi. Water Fountain

1. Not Present

vii. Restrooms

1. Present away from the toys and centers

viii. Sink
 1. Close to the restrooms. Height is acceptable for the children.

8. Diversity in the Classroom

a. The classroom presented a diverse classroom because the teacher had a lot of

pictures of the children with their family. There was a family tree in the

classroom. Next to each child's name there was a picture of their families. Other

than the pictures the labeling in the classroom as well was diverse. Lables were

labeled in two languages.

9. Classroom

a. There were two children playing in the dress up center. Both of them enjoying the

play laughing and talking to each other. There another child in the kitchen center

that was playing on her own. She kept turning back focusing on the interaction

between the other two children. She stopped for a second and after finishing what

she was cooking she walked right over to the other two children. She began

conversation with the others. They all played together at the end of their free play.

Both sides still enjoying the kitchen area and the dress up area.

b. As the observation occurred what made it possible for children to social interact

with each other was that furniture was at the child’s height. The children were

able to look at each other from across the room. The centers were also set up in a

way where they were aligned with each other.

10. Overall Evaluation

a. If I was director or principal observing this area I would rate the classroom a 3.

b. I would rate it at that because there could be some improvements that could be

done in the classroom. The space in the classroom when it comes to the block, art,
 and sand/water area. Those areas need a bigger area for children to play. The art

area is in a room where carpet is present which can cause a lot of stains. Also

because the water are does not have any matt or any protection from slippery floor

or spills. The block area needs a bigger space children aren't able to play or build

because it has a small space. There was also good things i observe the way the

classroom is set up to height level of the children. How the teacher provided

appropriate centers and a lined the centers that needed to be together. The

maintenance in the classroom is neat and organized. Pets are also kept in a safety

place for children to be able to see them but not mess with them.

c. The only improvements I would see this classroom would need is the space. A

better arrangement of space in the classroom.