Katie Hernandez Mendoza

LS 1001
Final Draft

In this lesson study I was able to see many things. Mr. G showed many qualities that are
needed to become a good teacher. We were able to observe a lesson plan that had many steps to
be able to complete a sophisticated lab which consisted of working with atoms and chemicals.
This lab we were able to watch, took place at Strawberry Point Elementary School in Mill
Valley. We went through The Teacher Performance Expectations (TPE) which are standards that
are followed within each lesson that is planned. The TPEs I noticed the most were number one
engaging and supporting all students in learning, two creating and maintaining an effective
environment for student learning, and three, understanding and organizing subject matter for
student learning. Each TPE had an impact in class on how things are run.
The first TPE that was shown which was number one, is engaging and supporting all
students in learning. This was shown in the classroom by making sure each student was being
engaged which was exemplified in many simple ways. They all had jobs and responsibilities for
the experiment. The students also had a paper lab, which helped them keep track of all their
information in order. Mr. G made it clear that he was there to answer questions when the
students had them. Having students that come from different backgrounds or even just having
different ways of learning makes you change your classroom to accommodate to each student.
TPE number two is creating and maintaining an effective environment for student
learning. Throughout the classroom, we see that he had posters to remind the students of the
things they were learning. Mr. G even had the iPad out and showed the kids what they were
going to do step by step. He made sure that the classroom was for the students and not just a
place where they went to spend the day but a place where they could feel welcomed. This was
done in many ways like having posters about what identifies with them. I noticed that each
puzzle piece had items or activities they liked. In a different corner, there was a drying rack that
contains cups that the students had bought from home. Having the technology in the classroom
helps each student know that it’s part of our daily lives now and when they are older they’ll
know how each part works. We just didn’t see TPE two but also three.
TPE three is understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning. After
asking Mr. G why there were so many different types of seats, he had explained that about six of
his students had special needs. The seats made it easier for them to learn and having an aid in the
room made it even easier to learn. He made sure each student had a job, these jobs consisted of
them making sure they were watching each step of the way. What helped the students learn was
that Mr. G went through the lab. He didn’t just give them the lab and tell them to work as he
went step by step carefully. I could tell each student felt comfortable filling out the lab because
they knew what they were doing because he explained he had explained the instructions so well.
Asking the students questions about what they were doing reinforced the importance of the
material in order to make sure that they were learning.
By watching this lesson plan I was able to learn a lot. One is able to incorporate equality
into the classroom without making it seem obvious. Mr. G had a number counter gadget. Each
student has a number and the number gadget would randomize the numbers to see who would do
the job that had to be done. The student had the choice to skip if they did not want to participate.
This helps each student have an equal chance to be chosen to participate. This makes each
student feel included as they will all participate at one point.
What I’m most likely going to use in my classroom is the reassurance that the questions
I’m asking are hard but to not be afraid to try to answer them. I will also use the number gadget
picker so everyone has a chance to participate because I know students are shy at times because I
never wanna participate in class but at the same time I have a lot to say. Therefore, I believe that
the number gadget will help each student open up and not be shy. I noticed that all the students
feel completely comfortable in the classroom which helps their learning. I noticed that each
student was eager to learn about the experiment because they were doing hands-on project. The
lesson I saw was very specific and detailed as I don’t even remember doing a lab that
sophisticated in the fifth grade.