Observation Task 3: Observing a teacher during a Maths

Lesson

Objective

To observe Maths teaching in action and begin to understand effective strategies

for Math teaching and learning in groups.

Procedure

You will need a copy of the Observation Table:

Before the Observation

Arrange to observe a lesson that focuses on Maths and discuss the lesson
with the teacher beforehand so you can know the Objectives and the
lesson development.
Ask the teacher what strategies she will use to help her deliver the lesson.

Objective:

Recognize the estimates depending on a strategy.

Analyze each problem to find the solution.

Formulate a strategy for solving each problem.

Apply estimation strategies to solve problems.

Strategies:

Using the front-end strategy to know the place value of the numbers.

Solving the problems by rounding the numbers.

During the Observation

Complete the Table and make notes in the appropriate column on:

How the teacher engages students

How the concept is presented

How
teacher talking time

much of the lesson is

How much group work is used

What manipulatives were used and their purpose

Title of Math Lesson : Estimate products (1 and 2 digits)

Objective(s):
Recognize the estimates depending on a strategy.

Analyze each problem to find the solution.

Formulate a strategy for solving each problem.

Apply estimation strategies to solve problems.

Grade: 4 - 2

Template For Task 3 Observing a Maths Lesson

Activity

Random
Times Table

Time

7-8
min

Interaction

Multiplying

Student (activity and actual

language used)

language used)

Teacher opens an online

groups

game and pick one student

Game

Random

Teacher (activity and actual

from each group.

5 min

Individual

correct answer by picking a

Students will raise two or

cards (0-9) and ask them

three digits that shows the

random Qs. from times

answer.

table.

Example:

89= ?|?

Purpose / objective of the activity

Online games for

times table with a

number.

Teacher gives each student

Example:

Students must choose the

Manipulatives

Identify the student

memorization of times table.

timer (1min)

Laminated Cards
(0-9)

Understand how to multiply

several digits.

set for each student

89= 7|2

Students will show their

Multiplying
3 digits

6 min

Individual

Teacher gives students 3 4

understanding for the lesson

exercises to answer the

by showing the right method

problems that has 3 digits.

to multiply 3 digits by 1 or 2
digits.

game Cards (UNO)

Understanding the method of

Small piece of

finding an answer for two or

papers

three digits.

After the Observation:

1. What was the objective of the lesson?
Identify the method of how to multiply large numbers.
2. Was the objective achieved?
Nearly by 85%, because some students still didnt understand how to solve the
questions.
3. How was the concept introduced?
Explaining the place value of the numbers by connecting it with the previous lesson.
4. How much teaching was done in L1?
1 Class = 45 min
Teacher = 25 min
Students = 20 min
5. Why do you think the teachers used L1?
Because the curriculum is in L1 (Arabic).
6. Did the teacher use manipulatives? What were the purpose of these?
Yes.
Laminated cards, to let the students use the numbers in its correct place value.
Game cards (UNO), to let the students choose random cards to create math
problem.
7. Were there any other resources/materials used to deliver the lesson?
Soft copy of the students book that is displayed on the projector for the students to
know what page they are at.
8. What strategies/method did she use to teach the concept?
She used the numbers place value method so the student will know how to answer
questions with large numbers.
9. Did teacher do whole-class teaching or group work?
Whole class teaching.
10. When did she work with the whole class? Why?
When the teacher starts a new lesson.
Because the lesson is new to the students, so she has to explain it
as a whole class to see who understands the lesson and whos not.
11. How much of the lesson were the students using the book?
Nearly about 20 mins.
12. What strategies did the teacher use to teach the concept?
Playing Games by using PC or cards.
Do some competitions between the groups.
Let students to work in pairs.
Giving some real life examples.

Reflect on students learning Math in English and the teacher teaching in English.
Math was taught in Arabic. The lesson that I observed in this subject was
so interesting. As well as, the teacher used warm up activities at the
beginning of the class before starting a lesson. And I found it interesting,
since I didnt see any warms up for math in the public school in my first
year TP. Also, the students were enjoying it, since it was like a challenge
for them. And they were very interested in the lesson, but some of them
didnt really like this subject, since they find it really hard, especially the
multiplication.