Small Group Observation Report

In this paper, I discuss my experience with observing a group counseling session with the purpose of evaluating it in terms of how it is set up, how it is run, interventions used, culturally sensitivity, and the contribution toward my professional development as a social worker. The group setting plays a critical role in social work outside of the individual session and can be largely beneficial for clients in the forms of therapy, counseling, self-help, and support. By attempting to better understand group interventions, I will learn how to apply this strategy in aiding clients for whom this method is appropriate by increasing their social supports.

In this group there were no disruptive members. I filled the role of an observer, I offered feedback at the end of the session. The counselor filled the role of standard setter. There was an encourager, a harmonizer, an expediter, and a follower.

The researchers goal was to know if the effects of small-group reading interventions implemented positive behavior in support model, on elementary students that show any emotional and behavior disorders or that do not show any emotional and behavior disorders. The following are the research questions they addressed: (a) the differences in reading instruction in a general classroom for students at risk and to compare schools that combine behavior/reading risk. (b) differential effects with small-group instruction. (c) how do any of the observable differences translate to the outcome of students’ growth in reading.

My participant observation research project is on sex offenders. A few topics I would be interested in is different type of offenders, such as pedophilic and non-pedophilic. I know sex offending is horrible all together but I really hate when I hear about children and teens being hurt. My questions would be what causes their urge to offend children? How do they know the victim? How to help the offender?

Carina: I observed a small group of four girls around the ages of 16-19 who were all getting burritos at Chipotle. They were still wearing their volleyball outfits and clearly belonged to a group of teenage athletes. They all seemed to be friends as they were laughing and talking loudly with one another. Their visit at Chipotle seemed to be some kind of social experience for them, much more so than just going there for nutrition. When ordering they asked each other: “what are you getting”, which showed that they valued each other’s food recommendation. The girl who asked her friend that question decided to order the same food as her friend. This shows the interdependence and great influence within the group.

Over the past few weeks, I have been observing an all-girl organization by the name of EAGER Inc. I observed middle-school aged girls in Baltimore City Charter Schools. The girls have been working together for about one to two years. They interact with one another on a daily basis, and sometimes after school for programs. The groups needs came to the agency's attention through the principal of the school who noticed that the girls needed behavioral assistance. This group of girls need mentors and the appropriate guidance that will help them transform into successful young women and people who can help keep them out of trouble. The group barely got along with each other, and they always bumped heads during the sessions. The girls realized that

Awards received: BOA Class Champions twice, 1st place in the local Regional Competition twice. Bronze in MetLife Stadium US Band Competition.

Moses was born in Leitrim, Ireland and lived there until he was six years old. His family moved to Greenville, SC where he grew up. As a child, Moses wanted to be a forest ranger or a pilot. Even though he hasn’t lived outside of South Carolina, every once in a while he travels to North Carolina, Florida and Georgia. He went to a small private high school called Hampton Park, where he also played soccer for three years. His high school didn’t have a lot to offer in regards to groups or clubs, but he did dance quite a bit. He has tried blues and lindy, but swing and contra dancing are still his favorites. His other interests and hobbies include biking at Clemson, rock wall climbing, hiking and climbing buildings. When it comes to sports, he enjoys watching soccer and his favorite teams are FC Bayern Munich and Clemson.

Young Leaders provides many different opportunities to get involved with the people of our community. Last fall, I helped with a game section that the YL group decided to do at Deal Orchard. This involved finding games that kids would find fun and interesting and interacting with the kids. Through this activity, I learned that it is not only fun to play games with kids, but also nice knowing that you help set up the activities that the kids are enjoying so much.

I know technology is so important for a non-traditional student.  Cellular phones are not going to get it done. I will utilize the public library in the area. Also, I am right around the corner from McDonalds and Burger King which all have free WiFi. I have a sister in Memphis Tennessee that has WiFi. My church has free WiFi for the community. We live in a world today where everywhere you go now has WiFi restaurants, hotel, and all government and state faculty. I can ask for permission from my supervisor as

Today was a very good day at New Foundations. After taking a tour of the facility I decided to stay with the older male group. The nurse told us that other nursing student groups mentioned that this group was boring because they did not talk with the students. She said that they were not use to having students visit, so she was unsure of how they would be. Prior to interacting with the group of boys we began reading through their charts. As we were reading their charts some of the boys came up to us to ask us questions. Afterwards we split up and played pool and cards with the boys. They were very open to talking with us. As Sydni and I were playing cards with two of the boys they began opening up to us. They shared their stories and what they

Groups talk about goals in different ways, using different words. Some groups have major and minor goals or meta- and micro-goals; others divide goals into mission, purpose or goal, and objectives, while other groups talk about aims and expectations. A group is strengthened to the extent it has clear goals and all members know what their roles are in helping to achieve them (Dimock and Kass, 2008, p.62-63). My placement is currently in the Mental Health field and as mental health workers we have groups that are organized to promote to mental health of all and to support the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

My first day of observations had finally arrived. Filled with excitement, I opened the doors to Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, and walked into the front office to sign in as a guest for the day. I made my way to the second grade wing to do my first observation for my field experience report. The second grade instructor greeted me as I entered her classroom, with a big bright smile I found made her classroom warm and inviting.

The Small Group Observation assignment provided the opportunity to experience a self-help group and better understand the intentions, purpose, and functions of support groups. The particular group that I observed was provided through my field agency, Richland 2 School District, for all interns serving as school social workers. The small group is considered a task group that is centered around giving an additional layer of support for graduate students during their field placement experience. In addition, the group addresses the school setting, district expectations, processes events, and assists when any stressful or unanticipated occasions occur throughout the semester. The group meets once monthly in a school conference room and continues for two hours. Furthermore, two school social workers from the district facilitate the support groups for interns throughout their year of field placement. The facilitators are not supervisors or preceptors for any of the group members. Each group consists of five group participants, all graduate students in a Social Work Program. Although the students are each completing internships as school social workers, their standing and stages in the coursework vary as some are part-time, full time, or advanced year. The group is established every year at the start of the fall semester and will conclude at the end of the spring semester.

The following data was gathered while fulfilling duties as a principal intern at Theresa Bunker Elementary School. The data was observed during five to seven minutes of classroom observation as part of a walk-through in the spring of the current school year. My cooperating supervisor for my internship was able to go on these walk-throughs with me in order to have a productive reflection meeting afterwards. This elementary school has two of each grade level from Kindergarten to sixth grade. Since it was more feasible in this small school setting, I actually was able to do a walkthrough in eight classes. Here I will report my observations from five of those walk-throughs. As I went in to each room I was looking for four