Class Observation "Polaris High School."

The class in   Polaris high school that we attended was a great opportunity for me to understand the American high school experience. Even though this was an especial class with students with a different situation, the overall experience was very revealing for me. I think that the interaction between the teacher an the students was not so much of a hierarchy but a relationship based on respect and a well balance use of media in a context in which the circumstances may not always be so favorable.

I had no idea about the class or the students this teacher was dealing with, so after knowing that my vision might have change slightly.  The class was about current events, Amberly was very energetic and calm down some of the students rapidly. I waited a bit to see if that was her only reaction every time someone was talking or maybe it was something that she would do to get some attention before losing control of the class period.  I was greatly impress that during the class there was a lot of participation, not as much as in a college level, but still I thought some of the students were very much engage with the topics they were talking about. The class was about the process of planning a documentary, Amberly used media to explained about  shots, and how can we plan on this with macro, medium, wide shots example. Something interesting about the media she used was that, she presented a wedding video, I thought it was a very normal, and maybe even a little boring representation of different shots. The video  was well done, although there were some improvements in many aspects related to the aesthetics of the short film. After she finishes and the classes discusses and identifies the different shots that were in the video. Amberly said that she was the author, at that moment I understood better why she was showing that to the class. I think it was very courageous from her to show something so she can be criticizes and put on the spot. I believe a teacher should show him/her self-not as a Godlike presence, but as we have talked in class, a superior that is still learning and also can learn from students. The class discussed thinks that they like and that learned from the media she presented, also could felt identified with the level of knowledge they were receiving, the goal of doing a documentary is not as hard as maybe a Hollywood film could express. The learning they had, was relatable with their lives and it challenges but do not stress.

I also realize some  real direction from Amerbly that I think is very important , especially when dealing with kids in high school. The dynamics are different and the energy should be different too. I could see a difference from Amberly teaching and then having a small conversation with me, is just not the same situation, and I’m not saying she has to be a different person, but the teacher who is interested on getting to his or her students are willing to adapt somehow, depending on the students.   The teacher in this matter did very well because attracted the attention of the kids, and at the same time made an effort to keep a class were everybody can express themselves, but in the right time, without overstepping on others students comments or interrupting the teacher.

Finally, Amberly did some group activities and approach each one of the groups and pay attention to consults and other questions. She also took time to notice a student that was late, and ask him quietly the reason he was late without calling the attention of the class. I could tell that although she can be tough, she may act this way because she knows them and care for them letting them know that showing interest on their activities.

This wasn’t a perfect class, but it was a really fun class to watch and to analyze. The teacher applied many of the key concepts that we have talked in class, and the students also collaborate with the teacher. I sense a feeling of community within the class and I thought it was a remarkable sensation. There are some shy and different students in the class but I can tell that there is an ambiance of respect and care among some of the loud students present towards their teacher.