FIU

Off-Campus Observation Map

Your Name: Juan D Balleza

E-Mail: jball024@fiu.edu

Name of School: Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary

Name of Teacher Observed: Cathy Benedict
Observation Date: 11/20/14

Describe the teaching

environment. Who are the
children? Who is the
teacher? How might the
school environment impact
what happens in the
classroom?

Town: Miami
Class: Elementary
Time: 9:30 am/10:45 am

State: FL
Grade(s): 3rd Grade
Date Submitted 11/24/14

The class took place inside a classroom setup without desks for 15 to 20 Elementary school
students, who gathered around Dr. Benedict, a teacher at both FIU and Finlay Elementary, along
with her FIU Music students who attended as instructors, to closely experience a 2 hour lesson
related to musical techniques, songs and rhythms. The Elementary students completed different
learning activities given by the FIU instructors and seemed very interested and focused
throughout the entire class.

Dr. Benedicts college class is not a typical one since she usually takes her current FIU Music
What were the teachers students to different schools where they can experience her teaching methods. The teachers
goals
for
the goals include both for the Finlay Elementary students to learn the different rhythms, techniques
class/ensemble? How did
and sounds associated with music, and for the FIU Music students to prepare in becoming future
she/he act on those?
instructors in this area. In order to meet her goals, Dr. Benedict had a scheduled method with
different activities for the FIU students to instruct and the Elementary students to execute, in an
entertaining and fun way for both.

What teaching/rehearsal
strategies did you see? What
was the learning sequence?

The first teaching strategy that I observed was the fact of removing the students desks to better interact
with each other and create a closer connection with the instructors. The first lesson was given by one of the
FIU instructors, where she taught the students a traditional song while explaining the different meanings of
each word in the lyrics as well as the dynamic of the song. The second instructor took on by teaching a
typical Thanksgiving song to the students and had them perform and dance along, followed by the third
instructor, who taught about rhythm by showing the students cardboard signs with symbols associated to
different rhythms.

In my opinion, I would have applied more interactive activities for the students to have a better learning
What would you do differently? experience, such as making musical instruments available for them to play and explore the different sounds
What was missing from the
and rhythms associated with each instrument.
lesson?

What evidence did you

observe that would indicate
that the learning goals were
met?

Following Dr. Benedicts techniques, the Elementary students seemed to completely engage in each of the
activities with great energy, enthusiasm and excitement, demonstrating their passion for music and
eagerness to learn. You could see that the students knew the lyrics to a song they had previously learned
thanks to a read and repeat technique used by Dr. Benedict. On the other hand, the FIU instructors were
interacting with the students and taking full advantage of the opportunity to experience what is like to
teach a music class. It was a learning process for both the students and instructors.

What National Standards did

you see?

Based on the National Standards of Music Education the following took place during the lesson: Reading
music, listening and analyzing music, relationship between music and other arts, singing with a group, and
dancing.

How did students engage in

the classroom? What was
happening at the time when
students were really focused?

Teaching a 3rd grade class is not an easy task, but Dr. Benedict and the instructors did a great job at
keeping the students focused. There were moments where the students lost focus and misbehaved but
nothing out of the ordinary. During most of the class, the students were engaged in the different activities
by singing, dancing, paying close attention to what the instructors had to say, asking questions, applying
what they were learning and really enjoying the overall experience.

What constructive comments might you make about this lesson/rehearsal?

I would recommend for the FIU instructors to better prepare before the lesson, since some of them where
constantly interrupted by Dr. Benedict because of their lack of past experiences teaching a younger audience.

What is your overall assessment of this teacher, the students and the lesson/rehearsal?
Overall, the teacher was well prepared and made great use of the time provided to apply the different methods
and activities scheduled. The Elementary students showed focus, engagement, high-energy and motivation to
learn throughout the class. The lesson was very entertaining, well organized and an overall fun experience for all.