Education Division

Student Teaching Observation #2, October 16 2014

Donna Soriano
Lehua Elementary School
5
th
Grade
Mrs. Romias, Mentor Teacher

Lesson Planning: Math: regular inclusion classroomMrs. Kriedler

Your lesson plan was very well-developed. I appreciate the fact that you did a pre-
assessment that helped you to diversify instruction by breaking the students into ability
groups, based on their understanding of the concept of volume. I also appreciated having
copies of the worksheets ahead of time, in addition to the .ppt.

Lesson Delivery:

Very good to go over classroom rules, especially since you do not work with these
students every day as a whole class. Excellent to provide an overview of the whole lesson.

Very clear, direct explanation of concepts throughout todays lesson.
Loved the Reeses Puffs cereal box! Minecraft image certainly got their attention.
Excellent use of the KWL chart, in the context of a math lesson.

Awesome video! You are so clever and creative to go the extra mile to illustrate a
practical application for volume. The volume song was so cute! Its going to stick in my
head for sure .

Lots of hands-on activities and critical thinking level activities---e.g. predicting the
number of cubes that will fit in the box.

Important Point: Prediction: Student predicted 12. Ask, How did you come up
with that prediction? Nice illustration using the one-inch cubes.

Management: Lots of playing with rulers, in spite of your rules.

Comparing Reeses & M&M boxes: Ask, Can you predict which one is bigger (has
greater volume or will hold more cereal or candy) just by looking?

Be sure to respond to the student who decomposed 13 and got the answer
incorrect. Why did that happen? You need to follow up to make sure he doesnt keep
making the same mistake over and over when multiplying double digit numbers.

Small group work somewhat chaotic but most students on task. I like the hands-on
measurement of objects in the classroom, as well as the classroom itself.

Why was one student sent to sit in the doorway? Why was he not brought back into
the class for the sharing session? Utilize positive (not negative) reinforcement to
extinguish bad behavior.

Measurements of the whole room didnt make sense to one of the students. Could
ask why it didnt make sense to clear up confusion.

Some groups were more articulate than others while presenting. You might consider
putting prompts on the white board to remind them of what you are expecting them to
report. More practice giving oral presentations will help students get better at sharing in
front of peers.

Time management: Try to bring lesson to closure before its time for lunch.

Strengths:

Friendly, positive teaching style.
Well-organized lesson planning and delivery
Differentiation of instruction very well conceived and effective
Excellent use of technology (home video), as well as hands-on activities

Needs: Work on

Providing clear instructions with visuals, especially prior to having students break
into small groups to work on projects.

Continuously asking questions relative to the concepts under study: e.g.,
prediction How did you come up with your prediction? Calculating volume: How
did you come up with that answer, which is incorrect.
Encourage appropriate classroom behavior by utilizing positive reinforcement of
good behaviors, as opposed to negative reinforcement of bad behaviors.

Being proactive with students who are bored or who seem to thrive on negative
attention. Think of ways to engage/motivate theme.g., Teachers Helper; or
Team Leader. You could also do a whole class interest inventory/survey to
determine what would engage each of the students.



Reflections on Teaching & Learning: One paragraph minimum. Please email on or before
Friday, November 7.

Think about the impact of your instruction on your students learning. How do you
know that all of the students met your objectives? What did you learn from this lesson that
will inform your future lesson planning, implementation, and assessment? How will you
use your assessment data (formative and summative) to improve your future lessons?