Assignment task: New Field Experience Assignment (Best Practices/Summer)
This is a reflective essay!
This assignment or essay requires you to reflect on practice by comparing the strategies employed by the two 'observed' teachers.
Step 1: Locate/select at least 2 videos showing best mathematics practices in elementary school.
Step 2: Watch the videos and observe two elementary teachers who have different teaching styles or usage of various instructional strategies in teaching mathematics (Use the checklist to guide your observations)
Guiding Questions:
As you go watch the video, 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.)?
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?
Step 3: Record your Observations: your thoughts, impressions, reactions, and analyses (See checklist).
NB: Integrate concepts covered in this course as you respond to each activity. 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 variouslesson 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
Step 4: Now that you have gathered the information, write your reflective analysis and conclusion.
Remember to present 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?