ASSIGNMENT 3 (Instruction): Observe any instructional time in your assigned classroom, and record

your observations when presented with the questions below:

Instruction Question 1: What is the posted daily schedule for different subjects or periods? >>>

Math, Reading, Social Studies

Instruction Question 2: Is instruction done in small groups, centers, whole groups, individual? >>>

Lessons are taught as a class. Garcia allows group/partner groups when applicable.

Instruction Question 3: How would you describe your cooperating teacher’s teaching style? >>>

I would describe Garcia’s teaching style as student-focused and collaborative-driven. He teaches and
explains lessons, asks the students questions to test their knowledge, then lets his students try to work
out a problem/question on their own. He also lets them collaborate with their peers.

Instruction Question 4: Does the teacher incorporate the sensory modalities (learning styles)? If so, give
examples. >>>

Mostly visual and auditory modalities. Garcia demonstrates lessons on white boards, and he lets
students come up to the front of the class to write answers.

Instruction Question 5: Do the students seem engaged in the lesson(s) that are being presented?
Please explain. >>>

The students seem to be engaged during every lesson being presented. Even when they answer a
question wrong, they still try. Between 3-6 students almost always raise their hands.

Instruction Question 6: Explain the use of culturally relevant materials, teaching strategies, class décor,
etc. that meet the needs of today’s culturally diverse student population. >>>

Garcia gave his students an assignment that has them create a “Yelp Review” of King George III in
social studies.

Instruction Question 7: Is instructional time managed efficiently? Please explain >>>

Garcia uses his time efficiently. During his math lesson, he did not spend too much time on one
problem. After they worked through more than half of the decimal problem, the students got a feeling of
the material, then he moved on to the next one. After they completed that question, and they began to
understand, he came back to the original question, and the students caught on quickly, and they got
through the lesson in a timely manner. Garcia also times students as they work independently or in
 groups.

Instruction Question 8: How does the cooperating teacher handle transitions from one subject or period
to another, and are these transitions efficient? >>>

Garcia handles transitions impressively, he briefly goes over the entire subject or material, and then
moves onto the next subject.

Instruction Question 9: List ways that the teacher attempts any “attention getting” commands? (Ex:
Countdown, Light flicker, Heads on Desk) How effective are they? >>>

He says quiet down, and they listen. He says “voices off”, “give me five” (they quietly raise their hands)
The strategies seem to be very much effective.

Instruction Question 10: What specific behavior issues does the teacher have to deal with? How does
the teacher deal with these behavior issues? Be specific. >>>

Mostly over-talking when they get excited. Garcia asks them politely to let him finish speaking. When
disruptions get too repetitive, he makes them put their head down on their desk for a minute, and gives
them a brief pep-talk.

Instruction Question 11: Are there any policies or procedures in place that help or hinder instructional
time? If so, explain them and how they help or hinder use of instructional time. >>>

It seems effective when he allows students to get up and retrieve materials such as a piece of scrap
paper, a pen, or a pencil, he gives them a limited time to do so, so he can start his lesson as soon as
possible.

Instruction Question 12: What philosophical teaching orientation(s) best describes this teacher? Give
examples. >>>

I would say this teacher has a progressive teaching orientation. He has a relationship with his students,
he greets them in the morning, and has genuine conversations with them. He often lets them work
together during lessons, and receive knowledge from each other, rather than them learning everything
from him. He gives them the freedom to express themselves, and he also teaches in a way that would
adapt to their own understanding through what they already know.

Instruction Question 13: Outline the lesson plan for a teaching lesson you observed. What preparations
in advance were need for teaching the lesson? >>>

Before his lesson, Garcia addresses the learning intentions and success criteria. He chooses students
to read out of math textbooks, and allows students to collaborate with shoulder partners to reflect on
how they got their answers.

Instruction Question 14: Describe both teacher and student uses of technology in the classroom. >>>
Garcia uses a projector for lessons and the students uses laptops for “Exact Path Math”