Observation - Math Foundation year 11

Observation

11 Math Foundation

Thurs 22nd 2016

- Computers (laptops) have been booked and the students are logging in

- Gathering the students together in a centre table. Teacher reminds a student not to sit with a back to anybody

- Students are reminded to leave their computers behind

- Teacher asks students to remember what they did last lesson - this is what we are doing this lesson. Teacher goes through a quick reminder instructional discussion. Teacher asks for help from the students memory. Teacher is trying to get students to get back into their memories.

- Instructions issued with some help with what they do not remember

- Students are all listening well and looking at the teacher as she describes the process of what they are doing

- Lovely mood to start the lesson with

- Sitting together with students (I like this approach, I would like to try this in my classes)

- A reminder of the terminology, good use of sarcasm and humour

- Praise when the student gets the answer correct

- Teacher reiterates why she is going over the instructions verbally - we have better memories if we speak about it

- Teacher hands out the sheet that students are working from

- Teacher reads the sheet out in case there are troubles with reading / comprehension

- Reminder that the test coming up gives students numeracy and literacy (reinforcing the point of the learning)

- When teacher is asking the students to listen, she calls them sweetheart afterwards to calm the instruction

- After the students have done the independent work, teacher goes to the board and re-iterates the skills and facts that they have been working on. This re-iteration is a good reminder for the students and what they are doing. They are using this skill for the current activity they are working on

- Teacher goes over the conclusion that they have come to after the activity. She pauses and waits for the students to answer the questions and helps them form a sentence to describe their findings from the activity.

- Student has not listened, but teacher reminds him nicely (student, you have not listened to a word that has been said, and you never know you may get this question in the exam). Student stops talking and listens.

- Leading questions work well here.

- Praise, praise praise. Teacher tells the students they are working well, and since they have 20mins remaining in the lesson they have enough time for another one. “Well done”

- Slow paced, calm lesson. No rush

- Teacher reiterates the next set of instructions and explains that the next one will be a harder one, and is more like the questions in the test

- Alot of explanation that they have not done it wrong, but they have just done it a different way, and now they know that that way will not work

- Teacher asks student what colour they have an issue with, and does not use that colour not he board (Good relationships)

- Teacher notices a new student has something in his mouth. She tells him that she is going to count to three, and if there is still something in his mouth then he is in trouble so he needs to make a decision.

- Another student enters the class, she tells him to get rid of the food, and turn off the music

- Student sits down and gets ready. Another student is asking if the two new ones are ready as he is going to help them

- Teacher tells the whole class that they are doing so well, and that they are all learning. She tell them that they are all working well, and behaving well.

- Calm language, calm voice from the teacher

What I take away from this lesson:

- Even though I am at a stressed out time of year, praise is important. I have been neglecting praise in the classroom as the students are so far behind (in my eyes).

My action:

September 27:

- I have used praise in the classroom for my year 11 class. It is a tried and true method that praise works, but I have defs noticed an uplift in the atmosphere here since complimenting the students. There work speed is still extremely slow, and I am still applying the pressure to them, but also adding praise. I will continue with this and see if it has any effects over the school holidays.

#observation