EDUC 5312/3315-Curriculum and Instructional Design

Classroom Observation Assignment

Observation Form 1
Observation Date: March 10, 2016
Teacher Observed: Mr. Keith Bradshaw
School Observed: HAS Houston High

Observation Time:90 min of class

Subject/Grade Level: AP Social Study grade 10
Observer:_Touria Porter_

1-What was/were the learning objectives/outcomes of the lesson? (Add state objectives if
known)
The learning Objective was People conceptualized society and culture in new ways , some
challenged old assumption about race class, gender, and religion. Often using new technologies
to spread reconfigured tradition.
2-How did the teacher begin and end the lesson?
The teacher started the session with a quiz to assess the previous lesson, he wrote the rules on the
smart board after students started working on their quiz he was walking around reminding them
of the time remaining. After the time ended he collected the paper and distributed a printed
article, he gave student 15 min to read , then he opened the discussion by asking students to
summarize the entire article in one sentence ,the teacher was calling each group to listen to their
answer then the class worked on one summary that they wrote on the board. Some groups were
not able to come up with an answer but the teacher used some encouragement to help them.
The session ended with an assignment that student started working on but was not going to be
due until next class.
3-What did the teacher use for teaching materials or instructional aids/equipment?
Smart board was used to initially to write the quiz rules, then he switched to handouts he was
using the writing on the board when they were discussing the article, then he used the projector
to show an additional article.
4-Which instructional methods and strategies did the teacher use? (lecture, inquiry,
discovery learning, discussions, games or simulations, demonstrations, cooperative learning,
integration of technology, Socratic questioning, etc)
After students read the article students were brainstorming with their peers, then the teacher
started with the whole class discussion being the leader, then back to discovery learning when

they tried to identify the problem following the scientific method of investigation, using small
groups ,teacher also used the Socratic method helping students to come up with the answer, it
was very interactive and kept students engaged the entire session.

5-How did the teacher assess learning? (informal, formal, formative, summative, oral, openended, quiz, feedback etc) See Chapter 8 for more information on assessment methods
The teacher was checking for understanding through the lesson by asking questions, then he will
put student into small groups to work on certain questions, he was giving an immediate feedback
and redirect student to reevaluate their answer or to come up with more accurate answer.

6- What can you say about the teachers philosophy/beliefs and style? (Traditional,
progressive, behaviorist, student-centered vs. teacher centered, authoritative etc)
The teacher is clearly a progressive he was directing the class but still using more of student
centered , he must believe in students generating information instead of offering it to them , he
was teaching student critical thinking, and problem solving,
7-How does the teacher manage classroom? Can you identify classroom management
techniques used?
The entire session went without any behavior issue students were engaged and busy with their
work, they was talking when necessary, no side conversation, or interruptions there was no need
for any disciplinary action , there was a lot of respect between the teacher and his students .

8-Observe in the classroom setting and determine types of behavior students play when offtask. What do they do when they are not paying attention? How does the teacher re-direct
them or get them back on task?
There was no need for any action student were on task talking only to answer questions, e rest to
finish , since it was their first class, some may put their heads on the table after waiting for the
teacher didnt seem bothered with that .

9-How does the teacher communicate with students (verbal, vocal, meta-verbal or non-verbal
communication such as facial, body language, use of space, motion and time?)
The teacher was communication with his student verbally the entire session, he was using a lot
gestures and positive face expression to agree or disagree when an answer is given, He kept eye

contact with all student equally, he will move closer to a student to call for the answer. There
seems to be a strong bond between student and their teacher with a lot of respect.
10-Who were the students in the class? What did you notice about them? (Background,
diversity, attitude, motivation, interaction, participation, etc
Majority of students are Hispanic, some African American , and Asian with few White student,
their behavior was very mature considering their age, they were very comfortable participating in
the classroom, and their interaction with each other shows a lot respect, they were very
motivated overall they look happy and close to their teacher,

11-What did you see that is effective in engaging students? What do you see that is
ineffective in keeping students engaged?
The most important element in keeping students engaged is the topic , if is interesting and
relevant to students life it will keep them interested to learn if the relation the relation between
the teacher and the student is sound student show efforts to satisfy the classrooms objectives
12-What are the two instructional strategies you observed and would like to apply in your
classroom?
The Socratic Method was a very effective method, it teach student to be proactive producing new
knowledge, it kept student engaged interested it also created a competitive class environment
The small group discussion developed a great deal of collaboration and helped student to learn
from each other, it also eliminate isolation of students in the classroom and increased students
interaction with each other

13-What are two important classroom management strategies that you observed and would
like to apply in your classroom?
The classroom seems to have a great harmony and a lot of respect. Student show respect to each
other and to the teacher as well, the teacher also showed respect to his student, they were
listening to him following his rules. There was no interruptions throughout the session so no
need for any disciplinary action, students had a routine they were following. The teacher in the
other hand had a great plan that kept student busy and engaged all the time.