EDUC 5312/3315-Curriculum and Instructional Design

Classroom Observation Assignment

Observation Form 1
Observation Date: _______3/8/2016 _______ Observation Time: ___9:40-10:25__
Teacher Observed: ___Lynn ODonnell

Subject/Grade Level__8th/Pre-Algebra

School Observed: _Harmony School of Political Science Observer: Sadrettin Orman

1-What was/were the learning objectives/outcomes of the lesson? (Add state objectives if
known, for example, TEKS 111.4. Grade 2.b.)
-Proportional and Non-proportional Quantities
2-How did the teacher begin and end the lesson?
-Students worked on warm up questions. Teacher explained how to identify proportional and
non-proportional quantities in different from by solving three questions
3-What did the teacher use for teaching materials or instructional aids/equipment?
-Teacher used projector, document camera, prepared worksheet and textbook.
4-Which instructional methods and strategies did the teacher use? ( lecture, inquiry,
discovery learning, discussions, games or simulations, demonstrations, cooperative learning,
integration of technology, socrative questioning, etc)
-

Teacher lectured at the beginning when explaining the concept. Then, She used
discussion, games and cooperative learning strategies.

5-How did the teacher assess learning? (informal, formal, formative, summative, oral, openended, quiz, feedback etc) See Chapter 8 for more information on assessment methods
-

Teacher used informal assessment while students were working on the questions from
textbook, teacher visit each group and ask them questions about the problems that
students were working on. Mrs. ODonnell also used formative assessment while students
were working on a matching game about proportional and non-proportional quantities.

6- What can you say about the teachers philosophy/beliefs and style?
(Traditional/progressive, behaviorist, student-centered vs. teacher centered, authoritative etc)
-

Teacher has combined students and teacher centered style in her classroom.

7-How does the teacher manage classroom? Can you identify classroom management
techniques used?
-

Teacher had classroom rules and expectation on wall. Teacher also gave positive
feedback her students a lot.

8-Observe in the classroom setting and determine types of behavior students play when offtask. What do they do when they are not paying attention? How does the teacher re-direct
them or get them back on task?
-

Students were talking with each other at back side of class, Two students were getting up
and walking around very often. One student was sleeping and two others were drawing
something on their desks. Teacher warned students who were walking around several
times, she came to next to students who was sleeping and called his name to get back to
work.

9-How does the teacher communicate with students (verbal, vocal, meta-verbal or non-verbal
communication such as facial, body language, use of space, motion and time?)
-

Teacher used verbal communication with students mainly. She called students name
whenever they were off task and asking them questions.

10-Who were the students in the class? What did you notice about them? (Background,
diversity, attitude, motivation, interaction, participation, etc)
-

Students group was very diverse. They had low motivation and participation except 2-3
students. After class while talking with teacher, she mentioned that more than half of
class was SPED or ESL students.

11-What did you see that is effective in engaging students? What do you see that is
ineffective in keeping students engaged?
-

The matching game was very engaging for students. Most of them were working with
their group during the game. Students were reluctant during the lecture and practice
questions that teacher was solving on document camera.

12-What are the two instructional strategies you observed and would like to apply in your
classroom?
-

I liked the game teacher used to for group work. I took a copy of it. I will definitely use
it.

13-What are two important classroom management strategies that you observed and would
like to apply in your classroom?

I was impressed to see students were writing a formula on board every time they were
going to restroom or get a drink of water. I am planning to use it in my classes.