Fieldwork Experience in Math Class

Fieldwork Experience
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Fieldwork Experience
My fieldwork was conducted at Greenburgh Graham School in Ms. Nicole's 3rd-grade math class on April 27th and 28th, 2023. The focus of the observation was examining the math curriculum, classroom environment, teaching methods, and community involvement. After the observation, I had an opportunity to interview Miss Nicole. This report details my field experience.
Fieldwork Observation
Greenburgh Graham School is in Greenburgh, New York, which is a suburban community with a diverse population. Thus, the school serves students from various socio-economic backgrounds and offers a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Ms. Nicole's class consists of 24 students, including 13 boys and 11 girls. Out of these students, 3 have identified learning disabilities and are provided with appropriate accommodations to facilitate their learning experience. I observed the classroom for 6 hours between 9 AM and 3 PM on April 27, 2023, and for four hours between 9 am and 1 pm on April 28.
Upon entering the class, the organization is evident. The class has designated spaces for group work, independent study, and teacher-led instruction. Kalio (2018) observes that designated spaces are important as they provide structure and organization in the learning environment. I observed that Ms. Nicole has designated spaces to the extent that each student has personalized spaces where they work during classes. I also observed that the classroom walls were decorated with colorful posters and student work, creating a welcoming and stimulating atmosphere. The class follows a daily schedule, which includes time for math, reading, writing, social studies, and science. Students are encouraged to participate actively and respectfully engage with their peers. Throughout my observation, I could feel that Ms. Nicole was making a conscious effort to promote a positive learning culture by emphasizing collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
During my observation, Ms. Nicole's lessons were aligned with Math Content and Standards. Ms. Nicole introduced a lesson on fractions, which aligns with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) - Grade 3 where students were asked to represent and identify fractions using number lines and shapes. In the lesson, Ms. Nicole provided visual aids and manipulatives to help students understand the concept of fractions and their equivalence. In another lesson, Ms. Nicole focused on multiplication and division, as outlined in the CCSSM for Grade 3. Students practiced solving word problems and applying various strategies, such as repeated addition, equal groups, and arrays. They also learned the importance of using inverse operations to check their work for accuracy.
I also recognize the use of constructivist and problem-solving methods in Ms. Nicole’s lessons. In one activity, students were given a real-life problem that involved sharing a pizza among friends. The learners were asked to find different ways to divide the pizza equally and represent their findings using fractions. The task encouraged students to think critically and apply their mathematical knowledge to a practical scenario. ...