Observations

Curriculum Freedom and Standards
There is minimal freedom in making curricular decisions. Teachers must adhere to the "ELA Prioritized Standards," aligned with state standards and the PSSA.

Testing
The primary "high-stakes" test administered is the PSSA, which evaluates third graders' skills in ELA and Math.

Student Engagement Strategies
Engagement strategies include songs, callbacks (e.g., “Oh teacher, Oh yes”), “Whole Brain” teaching movements (e.g., “Eagle Eyes”), and collaborative activities like moving high fives. These methods foster active participation and classroom community.

Encouraging Participation
Participation is encouraged using techniques such as a boy-girl rotation for answering questions, "turn and teach," "turn and talk," and drawing names from popsicle sticks. The teacher emphasizes the importance of students expressing their personalities, even if the classroom gets a little loud.

Classroom Routines and Procedures
Established routines include reciting classroom rules, a morning “What to do” activity, “Free Choice Friday,” and greeting games. Expectations for non-instructional tasks, hallway behavior, and morning greetings are also clearly defined.

Homework Policy
Homework is rare and is referred to as "home-practice." Students are encouraged to read nightly on Lexia or practice poems, but the teacher avoids making homework a burden.

Differentiation and Supporting Diverse Needs
Differentiation is flexible and responsive, often tailored to students with IEPs. Strategies include chunking tasks, smaller assessments, brain breaks, reading aloud test questions, and shortening assignments.

Behavior Management
The classroom follows Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS). Students are taught expectations and behavior is tracked using a tally system. Positive reinforcement is prioritized, with a 5:1 ratio of positive to corrective feedback. Rewards include bingo-based breakfast with the principal and Eagle Eye tickets redeemable for prizes.

Teacher Evaluation
Evaluations include annual state supervision tied to PSSA scores and a principal observation every three years.

Lessons Learned and Advice for New Teachers
Key advice includes remembering that children are individuals, being flexible with plans, and focusing on fostering good citizens over achieving perfect scores. Teachers are encouraged not to compare themselves to others and to prioritize tasks rather than attempting to do everything.

Challenges and Difficulties
The biggest challenges include covering the curriculum without rushing and balancing differentiation to ensure lessons are developmentally appropriate for all students.

Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
Attending extracurricular events and engaging with students during unstructured times like recess helps build strong connections and shows students their teacher cares.

Technology Integration
Technology is integrated through media songs, computer games, ST Math, Lexia, memes, Bitmojis, and slideshows to enhance learning and keep students engaged.