Dana Goldman

ELED 3223

Social Studies Structured Observation Guide

As you observe social studies being taught in the elementary classroom, reflect on the following aspects
of the lesson. In your write-up of the observation please address each of these areas.
The lesson I observed was on classroom management
Lesson Introduction How was the lesson introduced? How were connections made between students
prior knowledge and the new ideas to be learned?
The teacher introduces her lessons by asking questions about prior knowledge students
should have based off of what was previously taught. The teacher then connects the last
topic to what will be taught on that day.
Purpose of Lesson What was the purpose or intent of the lesson? Were students aware of what they
were going to learn and why it is relevant to them?
The purpose of the lesson was facts and opinions
Students were aware of what they were going to learn and knew that it was relevant to the
book they already started reading as a class
Instructional Delivery What methods were used in conveying the new information?
The teacher used an interactive SmartBoard activity where students were able to drag statements
to either Fact or Opinion and tell why they believed this
Closure How was closure carried out in this lesson?
Students are sent back to their desk to find facts and opinions in their own mystery book that they
are reading
Lesson Outcomes Do you feel the goals and objectives of the lesson were met? Why or Why not? Did
students experience success with the assignments given to them
I do feel that the goals and objectives were met because students were able to find correctly
decide what facts and opinions were in the book that the entire class is reading, students did
experience success with their independent work
Classroom Management What classroom management strategies/techniques were of interest to you as
you observed this class?
o The teacher will not call on students who wave their hand towards the teacher, bounce up
and down, or make noises to get the teachers attention
o While sitting on the carpet during this time students must sit in pretzel style, with straight
poster, and not leaning on or talking to any other students
If students can not behave on the carpet and begin to talk or sit in inappropriate
ways they will be sent back to their desk and must put their head down
o Once students are sent back to complete their own work they must ask their group
members for help if the teacher is working with a small group
The teacher will not answer any questions that students come up and ask because
of the procedure that they must ask group members first.
o The goal is for students to become independent in 3rd grade so the teachers pushes her
students to problem solve among themselves before coming to her
o Students are very well behaved and sat quietly as they began their own work

Dana Goldman
ELED 3223
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Students understand that they will follow the list of things to do for the subject on the
white board
The teacher also has many different ways of bringing the class back together such as
flicking the lights, ringing a bell, etc.

Lesson Reactions What were the strengths of this lesson? What aspects might you change or do
differently if you were responsible for teaching this material?
The strengths of this lesson were that students paid attention because of the interactive aspect,
students enjoy being able to get up and be part of the lesson
I believe my teacher taught this lesson in an effective way and I would not change her lesson
Personal Reflections- What will you take away from this experience that will impact your future social
studies teaching?

I have gained classroom management skills through observing this teacher. The students listen to
and respect the teacher because of the way the teacher holds herself in the classroom. This teacher
is also very organized which I have realized is essential to keeping a classroom in order, if you
are unorganized your students will also be the same. The teacher expects good behavior from her
students and if she does not receive it then there will be consequences which the students know
about. This has taught me that students respect a teacher who holds their authority. Another
major point that I observed throughout both this lesson as well as my entire two weeks was that
you must stay consistent with rules that you instill in the classroom. If you are not consistent in
your actions then students will realize that they can behave in ways, talk in ways, or at times that
are inappropriate. Through my observation I have gained many tools and tips that I will be able to
use in my own classroom within the next year.