Locate at least 2 videos showing best practices of mathematics in elementary school. This assignment requires you to reflect on practice by comparing the strategies employed by the two ‘observed’ teachers.
You may use the two I provided or search for “2” on your own on YouTube. Make sure the videos are referenced.
1st video
2nd video
Watch 2 math videos and observe two elementary teachers that have different teaching styles or use different instructional strategies in teaching mathematics.
NB: Observe teaching styles/strategies (e.g., Authority, Delegator, Facilitator Style, Demonstrator, or a combination; student-centered vs. teacher-centered.
What teaching techniques and different learning methods are visible?)
Record your Observations: your thoughts, impressions, reactions, and analyses for each activity in the checklist.
Checklist
a. Delivery of instruction
i. use of effective teaching practices in the elementary mathematics classroom
ii. use of specific teaching strategies or materials in teaching mathematics with
ESOL/LEP/ESE
iii. use of specific teaching strategies or materials in teaching mathematics to students
with exceptionalities
iv. managed the instructional environment (e.g., organized materials, paced instruction,
delivering engaging, student-centered instruction)
b. use of technology/instructional resources
c. roles during instruction
i. role of the teacher during various lesson activities
ii. role of students during various lesson activities
iii. valuing student mathematics contribution to the elementary classroom
d. demonstration of K-6 Mathematics Competencies and Skills
e. assessment strategies
i. e.g., monitoring students’ skill development
ii. using effective questioning strategies to stimulate critical thinking, problem-
solving, and reasoning
iii. asking questions to stimulate discussion for different purposes
Guiding Questions
As you go through Step 3, be guided by the following questions:
· To what degree did they utilize the observed strategies?
· How effective were the strategies used with ESOL/LEP or students with other special
needs? How effective were the strategies used with students of different ability levels?
· Were strategies modified to accommodate individual students’ learning? If so, in what
ways were the strategies modified?
· Were instructional materials modified for ESOL/LEP/ESE students?
· Is the instructor able to vary the pattern of instruction through movement gestures,
voice level, tone, and pace?
· Does or could the instructor use alternative methods such as media, discussion, and
questioning? Is the board work legible and organized?
· If appropriate, does the instructor use students’ work (writing assignments, homework problems, etc.)?
Integrate concepts covered in this course as you respond to each activity.
Complete your reflective analysis and conclusion presenting your overall position and reaction to what was observed and how classroom practice reflects theory in the teaching of mathematics.
Consider: As a result of watching the videos, what would you do differently? What did you like most about each class, and/or the teachers’ teaching effectiveness? What specific suggestions would you make to improve any of these classes and/or the teachers’ teaching
effectiveness?
References
