What I am Learning in Field Experience: Week 1

To establish open and respectful communication with my classroom teacher, I began communication via email. I asked to set up a meeting so we could discuss everything we expect from each other. I met with my teacher the Friday before I started in the classroom. In that meeting we got our introductions out of the way and discussed the assignments I would be doing and my teacher's expectations of what I would be doing in the classroom. To keep this open communication, I often ask my teacher what I can be doing and ask for clarification about how to carry out the instructions. I plan to keep the communication open and respectful by asking questions and accepting feedback.

The preschool class I am doing my field experience in is a public preschool. Most of the children ride the buses and if their parents do bring them to school or pick them up they leave quickly. I have not had an opportunity yet to communicate with parents. Hopefully I will get the opportunity soon.

Keeping communication open with the children is easy for me. I simply talk to them about what they are doing, what they are learning, what they will do, like I would communicate with a peer my age. I try to have deeper conversations with the children whenever possible, not only when we are discussing what they are learning or why a behavior isn't acceptable. I think this shows the children that I respect our communication and hopefully will allow them to listen to our discussions with meaning.

I began communication on the first day I was in the classroom or before and am still hopeful to establish communication with the families of the children.