Observation

Science Instructional Lesson

Classroom: Alisca
Grade: 3rd
Curriculum Area: Science
What I notice

Observer: Erin Alge

Date: March 14, 2016
Time: 8:20-9:20
Thoughts, Questions, Connections to
Methods Classes

-Topic: How Plants Grow (photosynthesis

-Students first were in a large group on
the floor in front of the Smartboard.
-Teacher asked them to go observe their
plant jar from the previous weeks and
report back on what they
found/observed with the plant in the jar.

-Students noticed that the water was

acting like a barrier.

-Students then turned and talked about

what happened and why.

-I like how the teacher used a turn and

talk strategy here during the lesson. It
allowed students to explain their
thinking, collaborate with classmates,
and gain new perspectives.

-Teacher then showed a Brainpop video

on how plants survive and grow.
Halfway during the video, the video was
stopped to ask questions.

-I like how the teacher stopped the

video to make sure students are paying
attention and to check for
understanding.

-Students turned and talked again

about what they learned in the video.
-Students and teachers read passage,
A Tree is Like a Hungry Kid.
-After reading, students then had to
answer questions about the passage.
-After questions, students were
introduced to the celery and food
coloring experiment. Students had to
turn and talk to predict what will
happen when the celery is put in
different colored water.

-The teacher stopped occasionally to

ask questions to check for
understanding and to retain students
attention. Students had to make
connections between the movie and the
book.

-The teacher asked questions such as,

What do you think will happen to the
celery?