Observation Task 4: Observing a teacher during a Science

Lesson
Objective
To observe Science teaching in action and begin to understand effective strategies
for Science teaching and learning in groups.

Procedure

You will need a copy of the Observation Table:

Before the Observation

Arrange to observe a lesson that focuses on Science and discuss the lesson
with the teacher beforehand so you can know the Objectives and the lesson
development.
Ask the teacher what strategies she will use to help her deliver the lesson.
Get an idea of the Inquiry/experiment the students will do.

Objective:
Identify the role of scientist.
Able to think like scientist
Capacity to discover, investigate, draw conclusion and state hypothesis.
Strategies:
Show students video about how sciences work.
Model for students to help them to learn.
Complete the book with them.

Inquiry/Experiment
Three experiments:

1-What happens if we change the shape of the container.

2- My fingerprints.
3-Mixing colours.

During the Observation

Complete the Table and make notes in the appropriate column on:

How the teacher introduces key terms and engages students

The topic and how its introduced
How much of the lesson is teacher talking time

How much group work is used and if students are active participants
What materials were used and their purpose
How much Arabic is used

Title of Science Lesson : How do scientists work?.

Grade: One
Objective(s):
Identify the role of scientist.
Able to think like scientist
Capacity to discover, investigate, draw conclusion and state hypothesis.
Template For Task 4 Observing a Science Lesson
Interaction
Activity

Teacher

Student

Time

Materials

Purpose / objective of the activity

Resources

What happens if we change

1-Tell students the instructions

Lets pour the water

students answers the teacher by

water and glasses.

Understand that the amount of water is

the shape of the container.

and ask them to do it .

and investigate what

seeing it still the same. other

still the same if we change the shape o

2- After finishing the activity

will happen if we

students said no the large glass

the glass.

the teacher asks students

change the shape of

has more water than the small.

questions such as, are the

the glass?.

amount of water is still the

same ?. ( the interaction was
between teacher and
students.)

My fingerprints.

1-Tell students the instructions

lets put our

Each students said what they

before doing the activity.

fingerprints on the

notice. For example, one student

2-After doing the activity

ink. Now can you say

said that my fingerprints is

students tell the teacher their

what did you notice?.

different than my friends.

fingerprints ink.

Compare between my
fingerprints and my friends.

Understand that each

students has different

results. The interactions was

fingerprints.

between teacher and

students.

Mixing colors.

1-Theteacher tell them that

Choose two colours

Each group will say their results

we will do mixing colours

and mix it together.

and explorations. For example, if

experiment. So, we will

then said what will

we mix red and yellow we will get

Colours and plate.

Mix two colours will lead to have a new

colour.

choose two colours and mix it

happen. Finally, draw

together to know what will

you conclusion.

orange.

happen.
2-After finishing mixing the
colours students tell the
teacher the results of this
experiment. ( the interaction
was between students and
teacher)

After the Observation:

1. What was the objective of the lesson?

Identify the role of scientist.

Able to think like scientist
Capacity to discover, investigate, draw conclusion and state hypothesis.

2. Was the objective achieved?

Yes
3. How were key terms introduced and explained?
She provided the students instructions, then gave them materials to do the activities. After doing the activity
they shared their results with the teacher. Then they complete their books with the teacher.
4. How did the teacher build the teaching/leaning? How did the lesson progress?
While doing the activities the teacher walked around to observe them and asked them oral questions.
Moreover, students shared, discussed with the teacher. After sharing and discussion their results, they state
hypothesis.
Did teacher do whole-class teaching or group work? Why?

She did both. Group work when they did the activity. While whole class when they complete their books.
5. Was there an inquiry/experiment? Describe the process.
Yes. The title of the lesson was how the scientists work. So, they did three experiments such as, mixing
colours, what happens if we change the shape of the container and my fingerprints. All these experiments
will help students to discover, investigate and write a conclusion. As a result, they will understand the role of
scientists.
6. Did students record the experiment?
No

7. How much teaching was done in L1? Why do you think the teachers used L1?
All the time because the curriculum changed.

8. What was the purpose of these?

Identify how scientist work. Moreover, it will help them to observe, investigate, draw their conclusions and state a
hypotheses.
9. Were there any other resources/materials used to deliver the lesson?
Yes. Colours, fingerprints ink, glasses, water, and plate.
10. Did teacher do whole-class teaching or group work?
She did both
11. When did she work with the whole class? Why?
when they complete their books because she can check their understanding and to make sure that all students
write correct answers.

12. How much of the lesson were the students using the book?
Most of the time.
Reflect on students learning Science in English and the teacher teaching in English.
The teacher used Arabic because the curriculum is changed. Teaching students science in Arabic is great because
students will understand better. This means their learning will improve. Moreover, it helps their parents when they
will teach their kids because some parents faced problem to understand English. Therefore, the teacher, parents and
students will have a perfect environment with high level of learning. The teacher used a great technique which is
experiment. This way will help students to construct their ideas and understand better because they work by
themselves. According to Piaget who claimed that students learn better when they are doing the work by
themselves instead of giving them the explanation from adults.