Observation of 4th grade math class - Book Report/Review Example

The dynamic is fundamentally dependent on how the teacher handles and organizes the Respect and rapport in in achieve though solid organization and protocol that the school implements. Discipline was created through raising hands in classrooms, respecting opinions of everyone and through collaboration. A culture of learning is implemented through implementing a certain method that is effectively proven to work in an educational environment For instance; the teacher enters the class, greets the class, takes the attendance, and initiates the class.

Although this might seem straightforward, it is essential for these protocols to be instilled in order to cultivate a culture of learning. A learning environment that facilitates the students depends on many factors. A classroom must be organized and clean in order to accommodate the students. In addition, the classroom must have proper equipment, supplies, and technology that enable students in order to engage in safe environment. Supplies such as chalk, whiteboards, pencils, graph paper are essential.

Moreover, adequate light and minimum distractions can solidify the learning process. Classroom management procedures are critical for the academic success of students. Following procedures such as being seated in class on time, handing homework before deadline, lining up to pick up papers, raising hands in class, etc. In this environment, students learn the proper etiquettes of the classroom and will continue to adapt in their future academic career. Communication is one of the most important aspects that is heavily emphasized in any classroom.

The teacher ensures that the student understands the main concepts by reiterating important facts. In addition, good communication is conducted through collaboration and listening effectively. Teachers also assure that they are communicating to students by being clear in their statements and intentions. For instance, the teacher will specify the student whether she wants the final answers in decimals or fractions, and will probably highlight the directions. Teachers use both open and closed questions, funnel questions, probing questions, leading questions and rhetorical questions.

Open and closed questions usually consist of a single word or short. For instance, open and closed questions induce critical thinking and longer answers. The teacher used this technique by writing out a word problem and then asking students which facts they gathered from the problem. Then, the tutor used funnel questions and encouraged the students to “tell her more” about the problem. By emphasizing on details, the tutor used deductive reasoning methods to achieve her aims. The students’ engagement is extremely crucial to their learning development.

Hence, the teacher engaged the students in different ways. One of the ways that the teachers engaged the students was to put a problem set on the board. Then, she told the students to get into groups of 4 and work out the problem sets. However, the teacher did not end there. The tutor then told the students to send one member of the group to put the answers in the board as they checked the answers collectively. The students clearly did not anticipate it as they are used to traditional methods of the teacher putting or shouting out the answers in the classroom.

Feedback gives the teacher if the students comprehended the material. One of the key non-verbal feedback given by students was body and facial expressions. The teacher during the lesson saw that they were some puzzled faces even though the students murmured they understood the material. However, the teacher went back and then emphasized the step-by-step directions into solving a particular problem that seemed challenging. Some students, who are more passive, addressed the issues if they did not comprehend the lesson.

Other students, who were shyer, tend to use non-verbal expressions for feedback. In the end of the class, the teacher would ask some students to give a summary of what they learned in the classroom. The teacher demonstrated flexibility and responsiveness in many ways. One way the teacher demonstrated flexibility is by showing arithmetic such as adding and subtracting through the animation online. The teacher showed arithmetic to students through an interactive website, which illustrates those methods by giving a dynamic visual of how arithmetic is conducted.

In addition, the teacher used real life example. For example, the tutor will use examples of US or Chase banks and how they calculate Interest through I=P*R*T. In essence, she used an example by pointing out a particular student by saying “Suppose Sam you wanted to earn interest in Chase bank. Well, you would have an initial payment of $10 for 2 years with an interest rate 0f 3%. How much interest will you accumulate Sam” Usually, this process engages the students to think “outside the box.

” During the lesson, there teacher was clear and concise in giving instructions. For instance, the teacher used white boards in an effectively manner so the teacher could assess the students proficiency level. Moreover, the teacher used the thumbs up/thumbs down technique to signify whether they agreed or disagreed with a solution. This strategy allowed students to collaborate in a healthy manner. Moreover, the teacher also reviewed the material from last lesson in the beginning of the class to aid the students.

No doubt these techniques were useful as the review certainly helped the students obtain clarity and focus. The thumbs up and down technique allowed students to think why one answer was right and the other one was wrong. The students learned the mistakes that they know they might make in an examination. Yes, transitions between activities were effective. The class started with a review of last homework and then switched to checking homework through whiteboards. It was excellently time management skilled enforced by the teacher.

The students were so concentrated that they did not get distracted switching from one activity to another. The teacher before class asked the class whether they understood the homework. Although the majority understood it, the teacher reiterated some of the material in order to ensure that all the other students caught up. Five minutes before the bell, the teacher asked the students to write one-sentence on a half-sheet paper on what they learned today. This feedback is important and enables the teacher to either improve or maintain a teaching method.

That’s how the teacher assessed whether the students were learning and comprehending the material. Works Cited Scruggs, Catherine, and M.A.. "Formative Assessment Types | eHow.com." eHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles | eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. .