Classroom Observation Notes

Richard Dinko, Evaluator

Name: K. Edwards Course: Algebra 1

Period: 3 Date: 3/1/16
Number of Students: 18 Room: A308

Lesson Goal: Wall poster with chapter goals is on wall. Pink sticker is by the goal for the day.
Goal is displayed and discussed on SmartBoard slide as well.

9:28 Bell rings. Teacher welcomes class and asks them to work on the bell ringer. A Warm-Up
problem is displayed on the SmartBoard- Solve (2x+3)2 and solve 1,345,678.3294 * 0. A
student goes to the SmartBoard and shows work for first problem. Teacher discusses
solution for both with class.

9:33 Lesson goal is posted on SmartBoard- Solve quadratic equations by inspection, taking
square roots, completing the square, the quadratic formula and factoring, as appropriate to
the initial form of the equation. A student reads the goal for the class.

9:34 Zero-Product Property is posted and discussed. Students are to write this in their notes.
An example is shown. Solve (x-4)(x+2) = 0. Students are called on to help solve. Teacher
praises student responses with good, perfect, etc.

9:38 A second example is shown and students are to solve this on their own. They are to solve
the expression (x-3)(x+4)=0. Student goes up to the SmartBoard to show answer.
Teacher reminds them to show their work. Teacher debriefs work on board with class and
elaborates. Teacher asks how many got this right- hands go up- teacher says good.

9:40 Factoring problems are shown. Teacher asks what to do- students offer suggestions.
Teacher discusses and solves with student input. Second sample expression is factored
with student input. This one has a variable to factor out as well. Teacher says if they are
confused about answer being correct- can distribute back in to see if get original
expression.

9:43 Expression is displayed 2x2+8x=0. Students are to factor and solve. Students provide info
for each step. Teacher prompts for each step. Student asks if they need to do both
solutions- teacher says yes and clarifies why it is necessary- because both will work.

9:46 Factor and solve expression is displayed. Student hand goes up- teacher asks for a
student other than xx who has already answered a few times. More students help solve.
Teacher works out solution with student input. Teacher uses two different colors to show
work for each of the two solutions.
9:49 Last two expressions are displayed- students are to work out the solutions on their own or
with a partner. Teacher will circulate as well to assist. Teacher walks up isles and looks at
student work- offers suggestions as needed.

9:55 Both problems are worked out on the SmartBoard with student questioning and input.
Teacher mentions there will be more practice with this tomorrow as well. Not to panic yet.

9:58 Wall activity is presented. Students are to take a piece of paper and pick a partner. There
are 10 problems around the room. They are to number on paper 1-10 and leave space
throughout. They will circulate room and do problems from the walls. Students get up and
move around room. Teacher circulates room as well. Teacher asks them to write down
the problem and the answer- so it can be used to study later.

10:02 Observation is concluded. Lesson continues.