Microteach

Reflection

This reflection needs to have a 5-10 sentence paragraph completed
Name: Jennifer Matosevic for each category in the Reflection template. Consult with the rubric
below to guide your responses.

Presentation Above Below
Exceptional Superior Satisfactory Weak
Rubric Average Average
Exceptional reflection
Evaluates his/her that considers self and
Completes all Completes all
own performance peer feedback and Reflection provides Reflection minimal or
components, components, Completes all
determines personal little insight or does not critically
making goals for the future
referencing specific referencing specific components of the
evidence of critical address components
portions and feedback portions of the lesson reflection adequately
suggestions for (with possible analysis of the lesson
from peers and delivery
improvement strategies to address
them)

Strengths of the lesson
I thought that the concept was a fun and inventive way to work on rhythmic patterns. For the most part, I think I
did a good job of being positive and encouraging the students as they learned the pattern. I feel that my lesson
progressed well from the basic rhythmic skills to the pattern utilizing the cup. Also, I think that the small
performance at the end was a fun way for the students to be creative with the rhythmic pattern and an effective
way to assess where they were after the lesson. The performance was also an excellent way to see what would
need to be reviewed before moving on to the next section of the song in future lessons. Additionally, having the
students perform in small groups created a sense of collaboration and helped to relieve some of the stress of
performing in front of the class.

Revisions that could be considered
Next time, I would make sure to go at a slower pace throughout the lesson; this was an element that was
mentioned in the peer reviews that I received. I found that it was a bit difficult to tell when the students were
ready to move on and there were moments where I definitely rushed. I would also make sure to explain my
concepts of rhythm more thoroughly. For example, I think associating the rhythms with words worked really well,
but I think I could have explained why I utilized it to the class better, which is something that was mentioned in the
feedback I received. Also, even though I know the rhythmic pattern really well, I underestimated how difficult it
would be to break down the pattern to better explain it to the students. Next time I teach this lesson, I will
practice the broken down version of the pattern as well as the complete, performance version. Lastly, I think that I
could improve my lesson by giving more specific feedback to the students as they are learning the pattern.

Overall evaluation of the lesson and next steps
Overall, I thought the lesson went well. In my peer responses, the students commented that they had fun and
enjoyed learning the cup song; I also had a lot of fun teaching it. I think next time before I begin, I will take a deep
breath and trust in my knowledge of the subject so I do not get nervous. However, I also think part of the reason
why I was nervous was because of the time limit. The next time I present this lesson I will make sure that I have
more time to go slower for the students and explain all of my concepts to them and allow them to fully understand
the concepts before I move on to the next element. Based on my peers feedback, I will make sure that I give a
deeper explanation of why I use different food words to demonstrate rhythm. Additionally, I look forward to
eventually teaching the rest of this series of lessons, which would include learning to sing the melody while
maintaining the rhythmic pattern. I believe that it would be a fun challenge and an effective way to introduce the
beginning of more complicated rhythmic concepts.

ED 2500 Orientation to Teaching

Instructor: Lisa Prawdzik