FIELD OBSERVATION REFLECTIVE PAPER

FIELD OBSERVATION REFLECTIVE PAPER

The field observation reflective paper is an in-depth written discussion of your overall field experience.

The reflective paper is a detailed rumination that describes your field experience and should

illuminate connections between course content including: theoretical concepts, relevant lived

experiences and other course content. A good starting point for your discussion is the classroom

setting, including any observed modifications related to the promotion of an inclusive environment, if

applicable. Extend your discussion to incorporate your interactions with individual and groups of

students, as well as any specific developmental opportunities provided by the cooperating teacher.

The paper should provide a summary of your daily observations, interactions, etc. made during your

classroom visits. Describe the elements of instruction and teaching strategies you observed, as well as

assessment tools that were utilized as part of the lessons. Be sure to make reference of any salient

reactions and analyses associated with your observations and experiences. The paper should be

formatted in APA writing style and consists of 4-5 pages not including the title, abstract and

reference pages. Some final components that should also be included are:

1. General Identifying data

Your name, field assignment location, type of class, grade level, demographics (i.e. race, gender),

and profile of students, include the number of students with exceptionalities (i.e. ESL,

disabilities), if any.

2. Learning Environment

Arrangement of the classroom, educational resources (including technology), classroom

procedures, teacher/student and student/student communicative practices, implied or clearly

communicated performance expectation, record keeping/grading, and assigned seating (if seating

is not assigned describe the elected student groupings). How were the varying issues of

difference, multiculturalism, and/or exception addressed?

3. Classroom Management

Describe strategies and practices that were employed to manage the classroom and individual or

group behavior, including class rules, monitoring of behavior, cooperating teacher’s address of

appropriate and inappropriate behaviors as well as inattention. Discuss equitable and/or

inequitable application of rules and discipline.

4. Educational Activities

Describe the instructional activities you observed in the classroom, indicate if learning activities

are designed in a manner that is relevant to the subject matter, outlined objectives, goals and

standards. Describe students’ level of engagement with lessons and activities and indicated if

observed lessons and activities were meaningful. In addition, discuss assessment practices and

cooperating teacher’s monitoring of performance and engagement including reference to any

implemented accommodations

5. Personal Reflections

Describe areas that you feel are opportunities for improvement as well as areas of strength in

relation to the cooperating teacher’s practices, philosophy and overall classroom engagement.

Discuss any correlations between your philosophy of education and your observational

experiences; include any strategies for how the lessons, activities, classroom management or

other aspects could be revised for greater effectiveness. Finally, provide any insights you gained

about the students, educators, educational processes and yourself as a potential educator.