EDUC 5312/3315-Curriculum and Instructional Design

Classroom Observation Assignment

Observation Form 1

Observation Date: 6/10/17 Observation Time: 1:09 pm

Teacher Observed: Chisholm Trail Middle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyClt5S0gF8)

Subject/Grade Level: Middle school

School Observed: Pre-Algebra Class at Chisholm Trail Middle School

Observer: M.Karatas

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

Not observed

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

Teacher started with timed warm-up activity students worked individually and in pairs or groups
of four students. Teacher was walking around the classroom and asking them how they got. After
the class assignment some students summarized what they learned. They reflect their learning by
writing an email to parent for notifying parents about math misconception of their child.

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

Teacher posed the question by projector. Teacher made assignment copies were distributed.
Students have their calculators on their ready.

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)

Teacher used questioning technique effectively. Teacher used prompt and probing techniques.
Teacher used also redirecting, wait time, reinforcement effectively. Discussion was also used to
deliver the lesson.

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

Teacher is used informal, oral, and feedback strategies. Students worked on the problems
teacher asked questions to individuals, groups and the whole classroom
6- What can you say about the teachers philosophy/beliefs and style?
(Traditional/progressive, behaviorist, student-centered vs. teacher centered, authoritative etc)

For the observed I would say she is students centered teacher. Whole period she did not give any
instruction about the problem instead she asked questions to students to find the mistakes on
their own. Teacher was facilitating the activities.

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

Teacher did not have any behavioral issue. Students seems self-disciplined and respectful. They
know how to work in groups and they are confident to explain their answers to the classroom.
Teacher used directing question technique for keeping students on task. Teacher models and
reinforces ways that students can master challenging material. Students seek and receive support when
appropriate; take academic risks; and/or challenge themselves to learn.

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?

Not observed.

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?)

Teacher mostly communicated students verbally.

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

Students are mostly White students. There are was only African American student in the
classroom. Students are participating the activities and discussions and they are motivated to
learn.

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

Students are engaged in group activities. Groups are like a bee hive and students are asking
question to the teacher and each other. Teacher is promoting self-directed teaching. I would say
teacher should also clarify the confusions explaining.
12-What are the two instructional strategies you observed and would like to apply in your
classroom?

Cooperative Learning
Peer Tutoring
Inquiry Method

After working on a question individually three minutes. Students are sharing the answers and
teacher is checking students understating by stopping by the groups and asking clarification
and guiding questions. Teacher is also encouraging peer tutoring. What I like the most
implementation of the inquiry method, she never gave the answer for the questions instead she
directed to another students to engage students. I would like to implement those effective
methods in my future classrooms.

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

I have not seen any issue in this classroom. I believe teacher in consistently using questioning
and group work activities. Students were given more freedom and they know they are responsible
for their learning and know what they are expected. Giving freedom helped teacher to have safe
and productive environment and teacher used redirecting questions helped the teacher for
putting all students on the same page. I definitely would like to use redirecting method in my
classrooms.