EDUC 5312/3315-Curriculum and Instructional Design

Classroom Observation Assignment

Observation Form 1

Observation Date: 3/31/2017 Observation Time: One Hour Class Period

Teacher Observed: Mrs. Mayers Subject/Grade Level: Math/Algebra 1,9th Grade

School Observed: Harmony School of Science Observer: Sumeyra Sakar

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

The learning objective was on written on the white board and there was a goal list which stated
the topics that the teacher was going to cover and covered before. Students will be able to write a
quadratic function given the roots.

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

The teacher began the class with warm-up questions on the smart board. She picked a volunteer
student to solve a question on the board. Students solved the question while student was solving
question she helped. The student solved the question in 3 minutes then, teacher explained
question again. They solved around 5 questions like this. Secondly, she opened a small video
about where we see shape of parabola in daily life. Then, she gave a worksheet to students.
Suddenly students changed their seats, students divided into groups with their best friends.
Teacher was walking around to students. If students have any questions she helped them. Finally,
she gave them cards. Students matched the cards with questions with this they learned how many
questions wrong and right.

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

She used worksheet, match cards, smart board, and a video.

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)
It was cooperative learning with integration of technology.

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

The teacher used formal learning method in the classroom. She present an oral assessment. Also,
she gave feedbacks to her students.

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

I can say that she is doing well. It was more student-centered style. But I see some problems.
When she was picking students she picked volunteer students every time. There were three
students for volunteer so all other students were very passive during the class. I think as a teacher
we should encourage all students.

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

I could not see any techniques. Half of the class didnt pay attention and unfortanely she couldnt
manage it.

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?

I observed only one thing. She was telling them: I know it is friday but if you listen I will finish
class early.

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 used verbal communication to lecture and warn to students.

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

It was a diverse class. They were from African American, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Hispanic,
Saudi Arabia. Some of them motivated to participate but some of them werent motivated to
participate.

11-What did you see that is effective in engaging students? What do you see that is
ineffective in keeping students engaged?

She was walking around the classroom when they were working on worksheet
Asking them questions
Warm up questions

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

I would like to use the warm up questioning and card matching group activity.

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

I believe that there wasnt good classroom management in this class. For example there was a
student he was playing with his phone and she didnt say anything to him she ignore it. As far as
I know phone is not allow during the lecturing.