Anecdotal Log for Field Experience and Practicum I
A log entry is a short report that describes in a factual way any incident of educational interest that occurs in the classroom, the hallway, while children are getting off the school bus, etc. They can describe interactions between children, children and adults, or children and materials in the environment.
Observations: The class is singing a song to end the day and break for the weekend. The message of the song is wishing everyone a good weekend and every child is excited. Danny is already at the door, singing just like others. He remembers that his pullover is missing and bursts out crying and shouting so loudly that he interrupts everyone and makes it hard for the classmates to sing on. His voice is irritating as he shouts, “I want my pullover, give me back my pullover.” No one understands whoever he is addressing in particular as he shouts on. To everyone’s surprise, Nancy, one of the most quite girls in class is crying. She struggles through emotions to say, “This is my pullover, not yours.” When the teacher approaches, Danny is on Gerald’s back, another boy in the class, pulling his pullover and saying, “Bring it, this one is mine.” All over a sudden, they are both speaking in anger, Danny trying to prove his point as he says, “you won’t go away with my pullover; and Gerald strongly objecting, “This is not your pullover, its mine. My mom bought it for me…”
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The teacher asks Danny and Gerald to end their violence calmly and says, “both of you will not go home till you stop what you are doing.” The teacher, knowing very well that Danny has lost his pullover, lets other children to go out and instructs, “Ensure that you get out your pullover and show me before you pass.” She turns to Danny, “Ensure that you look very carefully, If it is yours, tell me.” Danny is at the door observing all the pullovers as other children passes. Then, even before Daisy arrives at the door, realizes that she has two pullovers and shouts apologetically, “Teacher, here I have two sweaters, maybe it is this one.” Danny is happy about his mistake and the teacher asks him, “Apologize to your friend, and ensure that next time you keep your property safely and carefully.” Danny obeys and is even ashamed, swearing “I will not repeat it teacher.
Critical Analysis of the Observations: From the scenario above, it is seen that Danny is generally disruptive and forgetful. He does not remember where he left his pullover and blames others inappropriately. The teacher has noted this and has taken him through the process of finding the lost property. Danny is sorry at the end and of it, he comes to apologize, implying that he has realized his mistake. Had the teacher handled her like a crooked child and punished him, chances are that it would have led to the escalation of his anger. However, the teacher took care of his emotions, correcting and condemning his mistake but regarding him as a good child while showing him the best way of correcting his mistake or solving his problem. This is one way of holistic teaching whereby children learn extra skills through unplanned means (Klein, 2018).
A log entry is a short report that describes in a factual way any incident of educational interest that occurs in the classroom, the hallway, while children are getting off the school bus, etc. They can describe interactions between children, children and adults, or children and materials in the environment.
Observations: Danny is seated in his group during a mathematics lesson on counting activities. The teacher has allocated every group to counting objects including counting sticks, flashcards, marbles and picture books showing groups of various objects grouped together. The class is silent with every child concentrating on their own group activities. A scream of excitement comes in air and it ambushes all other children in class. Danny is up, jumping with five marbles. He sings “Look at my marbles, they are so nice”. Caroline, the group leader of Danny’s group is also up, almost fighting. “I want our marbles!” she is shouting, almost crying. The teacher intervenes; “Wait, what is the problem Danny and Caroline?” Caroline answers, “Danny has taken all the marbles, we have nothing to count, we want our marbles back.”
The teacher instructs calmly, “Both of you remain standing.” She then asks, do you think what you’re doing is right? Making noise for others?” Danny is feeling ashamed, he sits down with marbles in his palms. Caroline also sits down, still annoyed. Teacher asks, “Danny, are you going to use those marbles alone yet they belong to the group?” Danny drops the marbles on the table. “Before you can continue with counting activities, can you please talk and make sure you don’t repeat the same mistake in class?” Danny begins by apologizing to Caroline and his group members.
Critical Analysis of the Observations: From this analysis, it is apparent that Danny is disruptive in his interaction with others as seen in the act of possessing objects that belong to the whole group. He manifests signs of egocentrism which is age inappropriate since it is not evident to other members of his group. The teacher’s response has made Danny realize his mistake without feeling intimidated, which is in accordance with the principles of negative reinforcement as stated by Klein, (2018). Since the teacher’s approach was in accordance with the guidelines of negative reinforce
References
Chapman, J. L. (2016). Singing and teaching singing: A holistic approach to classical voice . Plural Publishing.
Klein, S. B. (2018). Learning: Principles and applications . Sage Publications.
