Many introductory education courses offer fieldwork at a school site as part of the class requirements. By participating in hands-on experiences in the field, education students may have opportunities to observe teaching practices, assist with instructional activities, and mentor children. This helps students to connect learning theory with real-world applications in the classroom. When going to your observation site, bring your journal and answer the following questions. These exercises link to the content for this chapter of the text.

1		How would you characterize the cognitive stage(s) of the students in your site classroom? What evidence can you give to support your response?
2		What are some approaches the teacher uses to teach the children in this stage?
3		Describe the physical differences and commonalities among the students in your site classroom. In what ways does the curriculum at the school support health and nutrition?