ODU Student Observation Form

Lesson Topic: United States & Canada Teacher: Ms. Punjazi (World Geography) Date: 11/3/2022
________
Grade: 8th Grade # of students in class: 12

Answer the following questions/descriptions for each section:

ACTIVITIES:
Provide a brief description of activities in lesson and the approximate time for each activity

Warm-Up Questions (10 minutes)

- Teacher had the students answer some review questions that came from the last lesson. Students
were to write down their answers in their notebook. The teacher and the students went over the
questions and answers as a class.

Introduction to US/Canada Project (5 minutes)

- Teacher started explaining the new project that they will be working on. Instead of taking a paper
test, their teacher is having the students pick either U.S. or Canada and they will pick a
state/province and discover some places to visit. Students are to create a PowerPoint explaining
the state/province they chose along with their new discoveries.

Working on the project (35 minutes)

- Students started independently working on their projects. The teacher was walking around each
table to ensure that every student is staying on task and is doing the project correctly.

STRATEGIES:
Describe the teaching style(s) used
- Today’s learning style was more learner/student-centered, rather than teacher-centered/direct. She
used a gradual release of responsibility strategy to make sure that the students are completing the
project correctly.

How does the teacher help students internalize essential knowledge? (ask questions, have student re-state
information, give examples)
- Have students re-state information. The last class, they had a 50-states quiz. The teacher had them
recall some of the states that were easier for them to remember, some states that were difficult to
remember, etc. She told them to pick out the state that stuck out the most to them and use that as
their topic.

How does the teacher encourage critical thinking through emphasizing accuracy and clarity? (Link
information to prior knowledge)
- Tells the students to use what they learned throughout this entire unit and the 50-states assessment
and apply it to their project.

MANAGEMENT:
Describe how the teacher organized and prepared the classroom prior to class.
- The teacher already had her warm-up questions and project information pulled up.

What stop/start signals are used?

 - The teacher used the “1, 2, 3 all eyes on me” method along with just simply verbalizing “Alright
class…”

How are transitions between activities organized and implemented?

- Since there was only warm-up questions and project work, transitions were not necessary.

EQUIPMENT:
How is equipment distributed and collected?
- Inapplicable to World Geography class

STUDENTS’ BEHAVIOR:
How does the teacher help students develop a sense of comfort and order?
- She reassures the students that they have the ability to do the project with no problem. There were
some students who were telling her “I can’t do this; I have no idea what I am doing” and she
reassured them that they can and have an “I can” attitude.

To what extent do students demonstrate that they feel positive about themselves, their peers, their
instructor, and the tasks they are assigned?
- I heard some students say, “this is easy” and “I am a genius!”. They felt confident enough in their
knowledge and skills that their teacher gave them to be able to do the project.

What characteristics does the teacher possess that makes the entire lesson an enjoyable, productive
experience for the students?
- The teacher talks to every student, she makes sure that every student feels heard, and she had an
enthusiastic yet professional tone when speaking.