Ragan Halsey

Education 115
End of Course Paper

Throughout my observations at Holston High School, I have learned new

instructional strategies that I plan to take to my classroom one day. I observed a
freshman, World History I class with Mrs. Matlock, and a Virginia/US History class
with Mr. Blevins. I enjoyed observing both teachers, and learning many strategies
for my upcoming teaching career.
Mrs. Matlock taught a lot of her material using PowerPoints, and quizzes that
the students were allowed to participate in. She would start the day by giving each
student a hand-out of fill-in-the-blank notes that corresponded with her PowerPoint
for that particular section. As she lectured from the PowerPoint she created, the
students would follow along by listening, answering questions, and filling in the
blanks on their notes. Throughout the section Mrs. Matlock created online quizzes
that the students could participate in using laminated shapes and letters to help
prepare them for the upcoming quiz or test. The way these work is rather complex.
Each student is labelled by the number on their laminated handout, each handout is
different shapes with small letters on each side. The different shapes and small
letters hold each student accountable for their own answer rather than copying.
Once the students have chosen an answer they hold the side with the correct letter
in the air, then Mrs. Matlock scans the handouts using an app through her phone.
Then each students chosen answer, along with the correct answer are displayed on
the board. This interactive quiz not only helps the students prepare for their
upcoming quizzes and tests but also the SOL, because each question is worded and
most of the time an old SOL question helping the students familiarize themselves

with the wordiness of SOL test. Mrs. Matlock also used a lot of skits and videos to
help her students grasp the information. In World History I there is so much
information to take in along with all the different religions of the world, who founded
them, how they came to be, and why they still exist are only a few of the topics
covered throughout the course. Mrs. Matlock would engage her students as fully as
possible and she developed a very passionate connection with each student, hoping
to see them reach their full understanding and potential in her classroom.
Mr. Blevins Virginia and US History course was a little different than Mrs.
Matlocks. I had the opportunity to not only observe Mr. Blevins, but his Student
Teacher, Mr. Hill, as well. They were both incredibly dedicated to their class and their
success. Although, Mr. Blevins was the original teacher majority of my observations
were spent learning from Mr. Hill. Although he was not as experienced as Mr.
Blevins, he conducted a very productive classroom. His main teaching method was
lecture, so the students participated through questions and scenarios Mr. Hill put
them through.
As I observed these two teachers I learned that having varying methods of
instruction are not only beneficial for the students but it also allows the teacher to
reach every student in one way or another. Having a strong bond with the students
matters immensely. When the students do not connect with the teacher in a positive
aspect they are less likely to grasp the information as fully as needed, not to
mention cooperating with the teacher to make things smooth and easy for both
student and teacher.