Student Observation 1

Student Observation

Lucia I. Gonzalez

California State University, Chico

EDTE 265

David Teja

September 14, 2023

Student Observation 2

Abstract

Using the Atlas case #888 entitled Analyzing Text by Engaging in Meaningful Discussion

I focused on a seventh-grade boy participating in his class activity. The students are using a

method called the Socratic circle to analyze the reading. In this Language Workshop class, there

are 31 students ages 11-13 years old with various reading and writing levels. This particular

student shows great involvement in the activity as he adds to the conversation and listens

attentively to his peers.

Results

The student engages in conversation by asking a question and listens attentively to

responses from his peers. After the conversation continues he rests his head on his hand and

begins to fidget with his pencil before bringing up his next point. He uses hand gestures while

trying to get his point of confusion across by referencing things that occurred in the text. After a

few students help him to gain an understanding of what is happening and why he returns to

fidgeting with his pencil. You can see him get a little bored as he starts staring at the floor,

picking at his hands, and keeping his hands near his face before pushing his pencil into his hair a

few times. He then leans in and starts to look in the direction of the current speaker showing

more attentive listening. After the conversation goes on for a bit he picks his feet up before

clarifying an idea being discussed and adding to it. The discussion continues and another student

asks a clarifying question so he begins to answer it at the same time as another student, but

instead puts his hand up to his mouth and gives the other student a chance to offer an

explanation. He looks toward the person who does respond and then looks down and zones out

before dropping something. After picking it up he looks around and sits back in his chair to listen
Student Observation 3

to the end of the conversation before his turn in the inside circle is finished and he moves

offscreen into the outside circle to observe.

Discussion

While observing the student participating in a Socratic circle I was able to notice multiple

of the student's habits and gain an idea of how he is viewing the discussion. There are three

points where the student seems to drift off, but each time he is able to join the discussion again.

He also adds three points to the discussion two showing points of confusion and seeking

clarification while the other was adding to the points being discussed. While listening to his

peers he fidgets either with his pencil or hands to keep himself attentive. None of his little habits

seem to distract him and it appears that he understands the reading well since he only looks at the

reading while asking questions.

References

● Atlas. Analyzing Text by Engaging in Meaningful Discussion [Video]. Retrieved

September 15, 2023, from https://atlas.nbpts.org/cases/888/