EDUC 5312/3315-Curriculum and Instructional Design

Classroom Observation Assignment

Observation Form 1

Observation Date: 06-07-2017 Observation Time: 2:00pm

Teacher Observed: Crystal Foster Subject/Grade Level: 3rd grade Math

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzq-kuyhiqs

School Observed: ___________________________Observer: Silap Berdiyev

1-What was/were the learning objectives/outcomes of the lesson? (Add state objectives if
known, for example, TEKS 111.4. Grade 2.b.)

Learning objectives were written on the board but was never communicated to students.

2-How did the teacher begin and end the lesson?

Teacher gives the instruction before the group activity. She gave a clear instruction by
displaying the materials needed for the activity. Shen then answered student questions. She
ended the class by reviewing the group activity and verbally asked question to assess the
student understanding of the new content.

3-What did the teacher use for teaching materials or instructional aids/equipment?

The teacher used microphone, marker, white board, coins, and plastic bags.

4-Which instructional methods and strategies did the teacher use? (Lecture, inquiry, discovery
learning, discussions, games or simulations, demonstrations, cooperative learning, integration
of technology, socrative questioning, etc.)

Teachers used discussion strategy where she discussed the new learning with students. She also
used discovery learning strategy by arousing student interest on the topic by asking open ended
questions. She also used demonstration strategy throughout her class. She showed coins and
showed the students addition concept and involved students in the learning process.

5-How did the teacher assess learning? (Informal, formal, formative, summative, oral, open-
ended, quiz, feedback etc.) See Chapter 8 for more information on assessment methods

She used several strategies to assess the learning of students. She informally asked questions to
check on students` previous knowledge about the topic and check to see if they are able to
build the new topic on their previous knowledge. She also did a review of the group activity.
She did verbally ask questions as to assess their understanding at the very end while she was
reviewing the group activity.

6- What can you say about the teachers philosophy/beliefs and style?
(Traditional/progressive, behaviorist, student-centered vs. teacher centered, authoritative etc)

She holds more of a traditional/progressive teacher`s philosophy. Its more of a student-

centered style. The teacher believes that its almost the same as the traditional, but a bit more
distractive for the students because they spend more time in groups and they can get off-task
easily.

7-How does the teacher manage classroom? Can you identify classroom management
techniques used?

She mostly walked around to keep students stay focused. She would get the student back on
task by asking them to answer her question when she sees students getting off task. Since the
class was mostly doing their activity, she didnt have to apply any other techniques.

8-Observe in the classroom setting and determine types of behavior students play when off-
task. What do they do when they are not paying attention? How does the teacher re-direct
them or get them back on task?

They are not following directions and talking to students sitting next to them. Teacher directly
asks question ` Are you following the directions? ` to remind them about the classroom
procedures and expectations.

9-How does the teacher communicate with students (verbal, vocal, meta-verbal or non-verbal
communication such as facial, body language, use of space, motion and time?)

She communicates with students vocally for the most part of the class time. She does use some
body language by showing what she is telling verbally.

10-Who were the students in the class? What did you notice about them? (Background,
diversity, attitude, motivation, interaction, participation, etc.)

The class includes students from wide range of diverse background. It was a regular
mainstreamed class in which I did not see any student who needed an accommodation. They
were all active participant except few times where couple students went off task for a little bit.
However, the teacher noticed that on time and took an immediate action.
11-What did you see that is effective in engaging students? What do you see that is
ineffective in keeping students engaged?
The teacher was very strong in keeping students engaged with class. I was amazed by how she
was able to keep their attention span extended till the very last second of the class. She
modeled and walked around a lot which helped students to stay engaged.

12-What are the two instructional strategies you observed and would like to apply in your
classroom?

I would use the group activity in my classroom. I liked how she paired students and gave clear
instruction to students. She orchestrated the group activity very well by walking around to
show them that she was available if they needed help and to actively supervise so they
wouldn`t fall off task. I would also use the whole group review. She used this strategy
effectively to assess her students. She asked questions until the majority of students answered
the questions.

13-What are two important classroom management strategies that you observed and would
like to apply in your classroom?

One classroom management she used effectively was walking around the classroom at all
times. It did really help her to minimize the potential discipline problems. Because of her
mobility, she was able to see misbehavior quick enough to take action on time. I will definitely
adopt this strategy of hers to my classroom. The other is she used body language strategy a lot
which matters for the elementary level kids. Lecturing by standing by her desk would probably
lead to chaotic situations. She modeled the directions and transitions and made an eye contact
with students. All of these helped her to keep her students engaged and not to show any
misbehavior.
 EDUC 5312/3315-Curriculum and Instructional Design

Classroom Observation Assignment

Observation Form 2

Observation Date: 06-07-2017 Observation Time: 2:00pm

Teacher Observed: Crystal Foster Subject/Grade Level: 3rd grade Math

School Observed: _______________________Observer: Silap Berdiyev

For the things you observed, place a check. Please explain further about the checked item
directly below the particular section. Provide overall comments and reflections at the end.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR (MAJORITY OF STUDENTS):

X On Task _____ Off Task _____ Engaged X Learning Successfully

Explain:
Students stayed engaged and on task for the most time during the class. The teacher had a
very effective transition in between activities that did not allow students get a gap time.

TEACHER STRATEGIES OBSERVED:

X Modeling X Question/Answer _____ Lecture X Monitoring Groups
X Listening ____ Problem Solving _____ Evaluating _____ Reading to Students
____ Modifying ____ Integrating Content X Guiding Cooperative Groups
___ Other _ _____________________

Explain:
Teacher orchestrated the paired group and the whole group activity. She walked around the room
to make sure all students were participating in the activity. She was active listener and provided
with an immediate answer to student questions. She modeled what she lectured.

TEACHING MATERIALS BEING USED:

____ Manipulatives ____ Workbooks ___ Overhead Projector ____ Smart Board
_____ Chalkboard ____ Maps ____ Computer ____ Projector
_____ Books ____ Other Audio Visuals ____ None
X Other: microphone, marker, white board, coins, and plastic bags.

Explain:
Teacher used the mic to be heard to everyone. There was a built-in speaker system around the room.
She used the white board to show the addition steps. She also used coins to do hands-on related
classroom activity.
TYPE OF STUDENT GROUPING:
____ Small Groups X Whole Group X Pairs _____ Individuals

Explain: She used paired group activity for her classroom activity where she gave a clear
instruction of the given activity. I was very impressed by how all of the students understood the
procedure in the first time it was given. She concluded her class by conducting the whole group
activity to do review as an assessment tool.

TYPE OF STUDENT ACTIVITY:

__ Worksheet ____ Listening _____ Writing _____ Reading _____ Performing
___ Journaling ___ Discussing _____ Centers _____ Homework _____ Research
___ Investigation _____ Laboratory _____ Using Technology
X Other: White board

Explain: Students had their assigned white board that they used to write down the mathematical
steps for addition.

MANAGEMENT/DISCIPLINE:
X Stated Expectations for Behavior _____ Positive Reinforcement
____ Redirection of Inappropriate Behavior ____ Encouragement of Students
_____ Self-disciplined Students _____ Effective Time Management
_____ Materials Ready _____ Enthusiasm for Teaching/Learning
Explain: Teachers clearly communicated her expectation with the whole class and received
questions to clear out the ambiguities. I think this strategy helped her to manage the class
effectively.

OVERALL COMMENTS AND REFLECTIONS:

Teacher was expert in content knowledge as well as the pedagogical knowledge. She knew the cognitive
development of her student and prepared her lesson plan accordingly. I am under the impression that
students left the class with learning how to do addition in Math. Overall, it was a very productive
observation experience to me. I learnt some important instructional and management strategies I would
like to use in my classroom.