Observation and Reflection of In-Service Teacher Science Lesson I was able to observe an In-Service teacher whom we will call,

Mrs. G, complete a whole class science lesson. This was a different teacher than my cooperating teacher due to the rotating schedule of Science and Social Studies. To begin the students were at their regular desks that were grouped in pods together. The teacher went to the front of the room to the smart board to begin. The lesson was on the different properties of matter. The teacher had prepared a slide show for the lesson that corresponded and supplemented their textbook. The teacher went over about four slides with the students introducing the topics, standards, and expectations of the lesson. Next she had the students read about five pages from their textbooks independently. After reading the pages from their text book the teacher reviewed four more slides. The class then had a discussion about what they had read and what Mrs. G had taught. Mrs. G begin to read questions from directly from their textbook to facilitate and guide the discussion. After discussing a few questions Mrs. G handed them a worksheet to complete on their own with similar questions as the textbooks end of lesson review, however the teacher had made the questions slightly more of a challenge because they had to be answered in complete sentences, and they had to include an explanation with their answers. The students completed the assignment and turned it in to be graded. If they finished early then the students read their independent reading books. I know that not every lesson is going to be glitz and glamour for any subject, but I was let down for my only observation in science. I did not have much of a choice in observations as mentioned above they are on a rotation schedule, and I barely was able to get to see the lesson I did observe. I did find out that this school use to have a Science lab as one of the Specials that

the students got to go to every week for 45minutes, and then every 4-6 weeks they got to go twice a week, but the position was cut and the lab was closed. Teachers are now trying to readjust to make time to teach science in their classroom time again. I know we have talked numerous times in Science methods course about how we want to include the 5E lesson plans when possible but that direct instruction is needed as well, I just had hoped I would be able to see a 5E like lesson during my time. My teacher was well prepared and organized, she knew the material well and was good at teaching and explaining the material to the students. The lesson was brief with the whole thing from start to finish about twenty minutes. The lesson did not seem to have a hook or engaging introduction. Nor was it all that engaging throughout the lesson. The teacher did make the slides pretty and included pictures and effects on the slides. However the students responded well to the lesson and were active and participating when expected. They seem to understand the material and to be able to master the concepts. The teacher spoke to me after the lesson and explained that unfortunately due to the time restraints for the heavy subjects it does not leave a lot of time for Science, and Social Studies. She feels as though this curriculum is barely skimming the surface and not allowing for much depth. She made a profound statement when discussing with me after the lesson, It is unfortunate for our students, but even more so for the future of our nation. This resonated with me. It is true our society has become and is continuing to become and advancing technological society where science is extremely important yet we are brushing it off in the schools and half the time not even getting around to it. It was a disappointing realization of the current curricula for the school system. They allow over half of the day for reading, but cannot allocate enough time for Science is disgraceful. It was an alarming thing to actually see happening in the classrooms. I have heard it

before but until her statement and then the rest of my clinical experience and witnessing the effect first hand is when it hit me. So despite the missing glitz and glamour and experiments from the lesson, kudos to the teacher for making sure no matter what that Science was taught in her classroom.