EDUC 5312/3315-Curriculum and Instructional Design

Classroom Observation Assignment

Observation Form 1
Observation Date: 3/10/2016

Observation Time: 12:40-1:20pm

Teacher Observed: Christina Alexander - Subject/Grade Level Math/6th

School Observed: Harmony School of Excellence - Observer: Ahmet Saytas

1-What was/were the learning objectives/outcomes of the lesson?

(Add state objectives, TEKS 111.26. Grade 6.b.)
A) Apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;
(B) Use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a
plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problemsolving process and the reasonableness of the solution;
112.19. Science, Grade 7
4E) Organisms and environments.
(i) Students will understand the relationship between living organisms and their environment.
Different environments support different living organisms that are adapted to that region of
Earth. Organisms are living systems that maintain a steady state with that environment and
whose balance may be disrupted by internal and external stimuli. External stimuli include human
activity or the environment. Successful organisms can reestablish a balance through different
processes such as a feedback mechanism. Ecological succession can be seen on a broad or small
scale.

2-How did the teacher begin and end the lesson? Teacher asked background questions
about why we enjoy nature?
Teacher asks, Is mathematics a part of nature? Teach asks student to take 2 minutes to discuss
in their group. Students started discussing among themselves their thoughts, teacher asks
students to justify why/how they think math is a part of nature after majority of students agreed
that math is a part of nature and shared their opinions.
Objective: use mathematics to improve a natural habitat.

3-What did the teacher use for teaching materials or instructional aids/equipment?
Laptop, measuring tape, calculator, white board, and marker also a camera.
4-Which instructional methods and strategies did the teacher use?
Teacher uses several different strategies such as inquiry, discovery learning, discussions,
demonstrations, cooperative learning, integration of technology, questioning, etc.
5-How did the teacher assess learning?
The teacher uses student created power point and actual budget calculations using $400 grant.
Informal oral assessment is used and overall project design and implementation is also assessed
using a rubric.
6- What can you say about the teachers philosophy/beliefs and style?

Student-centered

7-How does the teacher manage classroom? Can you identify classroom management
techniques used?
Teacher says class, class, class to get students attention. Obvious norms have been put into
place because students are on task and take appropriate educational risks.
8-Observe in the classroom setting and determine types of behavior students play when offtask. What do they do when they are not paying attention? How does the teacher re-direct
them or get them back on task?
N/A students enjoy this class and have been told that if they need to be re directed they will go
back to their main subject class.
9-How does the teacher communicate with students?
Teacher communicates verbally and through email. Teacher has a happy disposition and tries to
stay at eye level with students.
10-Who were the students in the class? What did you notice about them?
Students were a small GT pull out group. They were of various background Socio-economic
status could not be determined as all students wear uniforms.
4 Asian, 1 White, 1 Black, 2 Hispanic- 4 Girls and 4 Boys

11-What did you see that is effective in engaging students? What do you see that is
ineffective in keeping students engaged?
Teachers personality is firm, but loving; teacher seems fun and tries to appeal to the interests of
the students.

12-What are the two instructional strategies you observed and would like to apply in your
classroom?
Teacher mostly uses students centered creating and analyzing strategies in class. Students made
power point presentation. They were preparing their own presentation at home or at school.
Teacher was trying to be passive when students analyzing and discussing given subject from
teacher. If students do something wrong teacher dont say the correct one. She gives them clue to
find or create correct one. Students were taking notes, what others say and they used their
computers. This was really perfect strategy to teach student centered, creating, analyzing with
discussion and having notes.
13-What are two important classroom management strategies that you observed and would
like to apply in your classroom?
I noticed that there was a weekly plan on the right side of the white board. The student also
could see their weekly plan on their computer. There was a plan on the wall how to work in
groups as respect others and their thoughts, give thoughtful feedback, participate actively, and
be on task all the time, use soft voices She was treating students as they were adults. Students
were really happy for that. But sometimes she was very serious if a student loses their expected
attitude. I really liked her classroom management and teaching methods.