Breanna Cook

Lesson One Reflection

1. Student Extent of Meeting the Learning Objective:
My objective for this lesson was that all fifth grade students would
define the term theme and apply it to previous books they have read.
Students were able to define theme from my scaffolding prompts.
Before starting the discussion part of the lesson, students cut, colored,
and glued the title, theme, and the representation pictures into their
notebooks. The pictures for this lesson were a gumball machine and a
person blowing a bubble with their gum. Since theme is the message
the author wants you to take away from the reading, the gum
represents what should stick with readers or the theme. When
students were ready, I began the part of my lesson where students
took notes about theme. I asked students to look at what they had just
put inside their reading notebook and how the pictures could help
them infer the definition of theme. Using the pictures, my students
were able to connect theme to a visual aide, which will help them
remember the definition of theme, thus, meeting the learning
objective. I asked students to complete an exit slip and write their
thoughts about theme such as what they learned or what questions
they still had about theme. After looking over those, the students did
well with recall of theme from the lesson. The next day, I reviewed
theme at the start of my lesson. During this review, my students were
able to tell me the definition of theme without looking in their
notebooks. Therefore, the students met the learning objective.
2. Reflection of the Strategies and Interactions used:
During the lesson I used visual strategies such as writing on the notes
on the SmartBoard at the same time the students were expected to
take notes. I also modeled examples of common themes. My
observation stated that my beginning activity in the lesson allowed
students to be engaged with a hands-on interaction approach. The
observation also said that I constantly moved between tables and
students, especially when needed to remind students of their
expectations. I had great control of the classroom because of my
constant movement around the classroom. By constantly moving
students knew that I was watching and making sure they stayed on
task. Whenever I wanted students to answer I would not call on them
unless they raised their hands. If they blurted an answer I reminded
students that it was inappropriate and that they have to raise their
hand. This was a great management strategy because it showed
students my expectations for talking during lessons.
3. Revisions:
Originally my cooperating teacher and I planned on me teaching
Wednesday and Thursday. However, on Monday during planning period,
Mrs. Powell asked me to do the lesson on Tuesday. Since this lesson was an
Breanna Cook

introduction lesson to the story element of theme, I wanted to teach the
lesson as Mrs. Powell would introduce new ideas. I wanted to structure the
lesson similarly because it is what students are use to and was necessary for
students to prepare the theme pages of their reading notebooks.
One aspect I would change about my lesson is to set a timer so that
students will work faster to complete the cut, color, and glue process.
Students are not usually held to a timer, but I think the addition of a
timer during activities would help keep students focused on their own
without me having to stay on them to complete their work.
Another change I would make would be to practice writing on a
SmartBoard. It was difficult to write in a straight line as well as big
enough but not too big. I plan to stay after school on Tuesdays to
work with the SmartBoard to better familiarize myself. I would also
like to use other technology to present notes to students.
I also might consider other activities and ways to introduce new ideas
before students participate in the cut, color, and glue activity for their
notebooks. For preparation purposes, due to the change in teaching
dates, I was unable to create a different activity to introduce theme to
my students. It is my goal to incorporate more technology and to
make learning more engaging for students throughout the remainder
of the semester.