Karly DeMain

TED 570
Team 40
Lens #4

Lens 4: Observe Task Orientation

Task orientation​ involves effective teaching practices that help the teacher maintain an instructional
focus, such as methods of managing classroom activities efficiently, ways of handling misbehavior with
minimal disruption to the class, reducing instructional time devoted to clerical duties, and maximizing time
devoted to content coverage. Methods of task orientation can be observed in lesson plans that reflect the
text and follow state standards, rules and procedures that anticipate and thereby reduce misbehavior, and
established milestones e.g., tests, reviews, and assignments) for maintaining instructional momentum.

How does the teacher maintain instructional momentum in the classroom? Give at least three examples
in which the teacher efficiently manages activities and transitions, maximizes time for instruction, and
uses established rules and procedures to reduce misbehavior. Explain how this might change your own
instructional practice.

In my class, I have a handful of students who are known to have emotional episodes once in a
while. When my students do have an overwhelming emotion that needs time, I offer them a hug
and some alone time on the carpet on the side of the room. I have pillows, stuffed animals, and
some calming toys that are available to them when they need it. Many of my other students come
to me or the upset student with comments of concern, but I remind everyone that the student is
okay and would like some alone time to feel better. The class does a great job of giving them
some privacy and refocusing on the task assigned to them.

For students who are misbehaving, this can often be complicated. Most minor incidents can be
easily corrected with a one-on-one reminder of my expectations for the class. I always express
why it is important to follow the class rules and ask, “do you think you can do that?” to remind
students that there is always a choice in the way they are behaving. Further misbehaving leads to
a seat change to limit distractions and minimize motivation to act out. These are rules that I
established on the first day of class and I have tried my best to stick with them.

I am lucky to have a prep period at the beginning of the day, so I can rereview the lesson plans
for the day and double check that I have everything I need to make the lesson run efficiently. I
like feeling prepared and ready for anything, so I often plan extra things just in case. Things like
having extra copies of the assignments, back up activities, or extra resources help me keep
instructional momentum in my classroom.