Oct 26, 2009 21:09
1. Describe a great classroom activity that you observed. What made it great? What was the impact on student learning?
2. Discuss factors affecting teaching and learning in the classroom
3. What are the different ways student learning is assessed?
4. Notice the culture of the classroom. What is its impact on student learning?
5. How are your own biases affecting your observations of the classroom?
6. What have you come to know about the individual students in your classroom (you don't have to tell about each student, just a few examples)? What do you know about how they learn? Give examples, be sure to use Pseudonyms for students names.
Larry and Rob are getting Fs in 4th period bio. When going over the HW at the beginning of class today neither had the assignment completed or the activity printed out for that day's activity. The CT asked them to stay after class. She sat with these two boys as I listened from my desk, and discussed with them that their grades are both in really bad shape and what could SHE do to help. I think this really showed that she cared. She went on to help these guys brainstorm how to be more organized and create better routines. Larry stayed longer and the CT explained to him that she could see he is very smart but doesn't try all the time. And if he was giving up she just wanted to know. She said to him that she "is only nagging him so much because she cares" the Larry kinda teared up. Larry had said that during lectures he can focus for the first 5 min and then just can't stay on task and stops taking notes. She tried to explain that she can't get around doing no lectures so we have to think of way to keep him on task somehow (My research for Tom's class is this- w/o reinventing the wheel and getting rid of lectures entirely, how can I make students feel more engaged during them?)
I think even though it was a somewhat uncomfortable talk with Larry and Rob it needed to be done. And to give them hope now before the year is over that if they did the work they could pass the class.
7. What affect does classroom management have on student learning?
Many times the CT, if she finishes a lecture early she allows students to work quietly on that nights homework or gives more time for the in-class activity. However she becomes kind of obsessive as to how silent it has to be during this time. And if within just barely ONE minute if student are off task sheh threatens them with taking away this time. I find it confusing writting about it now, because if the time is "offered" that implies that there is a choice, students can choose to work on the HW or not, but her idea of that is that this time is a "gift" to be used 100% effectively and the moment a student makes a PEEP they are repremanded, even if it is to their neighbor about what they are doing. I don't think the CT really listens to what the studnets are trying to talk about in such a situation, and just assumes if she can hear talking that the students are off task. I do however get it that for many students to read in class it needs to be quiet (me included), and she is probably trying to enforce that. However, when it's me, and I see a kid just sitting there zoning out for the last 5 min of class I'm not really gonna give them a hard time. It almost looks like a sweatshop, it made me laugh.
8. What do you notice about the broader school context and how it affects student learning?