My Elementary

School Community
Student Teaching Placement, Spring 2016
Ashby Lee ES

Student Population
Ashby Lee has an extremely high poverty level. So-much-so that
90% of the students are in poverty (thats the highest in the
county.) The school does everything they can to give students
things like free or reduced lunch or even tennis shoes in PE, but
unfortunately there is not enough money in the school to
provide as much as needed.
Considering many of the students in the school are Hispanic,
the English Language Learner population is high.
Students with IEPs: high

Ashby Lees Environment & Community

Overall, the school and community are very close-knit. There are a lot of
related students and faculty, so it is difficult for people to break into that
environment when they do not follow the trend.
There is a great climate and culture at Ashby Lee, and the administration
provides a significant amount of support. Unfortunately the surrounding
community is not supportive of Physical Education. The only community
resources for physical activity are Little League Football and a Wrestling Club.
The only extracurricular school activities offered for students include a Coding
Club, a STEM Club, and Discovery Education. Tutoring and other
extracurriculars are not offered again because of funds. After school activities
would require additional transportation, and it is just not possible with the
limited budget.

Ashby Lees Physical

Education Program
There are two gymnasiums at Ashby Lee (one per teacher) which is great! Each gym is small but useful.
Ashby Lee has a great deal of equipment, but it is not in the best shape. Because there is a very limited
budget, receiving new equipment is rare.
There are grass areas and a mini track available for students to utilize outdoors.
There are 15-30 students in each physical education class.
Classes meet every other day for 45 minutes (except pre-school which meets for 30 minutes.)
Grading System
Students are graded on effort, participation, behavior, and dress on a 1-3 scale (3 being excellent, 2
being satisfactory, and 1 being needs improvement.) Students get 2 inappropriate dress freebies
every 6 weeks.
Assessments and fitness testing scores are not included in the grading process.
Jump rope, Rhythm and Dance, and Cooperative/Teambuilding units are to be taught during my student
teaching placement. The GLSP vary upon grade levels, however all units are beneficial in the fact that
they go beyond your typical sports realm.

Creating the Learning

Environment
Management protocols
Enter quietly and sit in designated spot
Music = go/play/be active!
Freeze or no Music = stop
Line up on red line with eyes facing forward and mouths
closed before exiting
Do not touch any equipment unless instructed by
teacher

To introduce myself, I will play a

Cooperative/Teambuilding activity with my students,
exemplifying that were all in this together. I want
my students to know that I am here to diligently
work with them all two months of student teaching.

Thoughtful Commentary
The greatest obstacle regarding teaching and student learning will definitely be
incorporating a variety of teaching strategies other than verbal interactions. Because
many of the students are ELL, they need other approaches to be successful. The gym is
also split by a curtain to the cafeteria. As one can imagine, the room gets extremely
noisy. As the teacher, I will need to be loud and direct in order to get and maintain the
students attention.
In order to assist with these obstacles, I will incorporate at least three different
teaching techniques for every activity. Examples include, but are not limited to,
demonstration, object manipulation, physical manipulation, videos, etc. I will also
incorporate continuous checks for understanding, ensuring my students can hear me
and understand what to do.
These opportunities will provide me the chance to brush up on my Spanish, be creative
when teaching to a variety of learning styles, and develop that ultimate gym voice.

Data Sources
Coordinating Teacher Interviews
Personal Observations
Shenandoah Country Public Schools
http://www.shenandoah.k12.va.us/
Ashby Lee Elementary School
http://shenandoahales.sharpschool.net/