ODU Student Observation Form

Lesson Topic: _Physics (Conservation of Energy) Teacher: _Stephen Caja____ Date: _2/14/24
Grade: _10-12______ # of students in class: _16_____

Answer the following questions/descriptions for each section:

ACTIVITIES:
Provide a brief description of activities in lesson and the approximate time for each activity
Mr. Caja begins the class by going over what they have learned recently and how it will relate to what
they are about to learn. The beginning of his lesson consists of 2 videos. The first describes how a roller
coaster converts potential energy into kinetic energy, and the second video shows how a pendulum loses
energy and doesn’t reach the same point. He then guides the students through how to convert potential
energy to kinetic energy with out units first, then explains the units. The second half of the class period is
for the assignment and the lab. The students are given the option which they would like to do first. The
assignment is a worksheet practicing converting potential energy to kinetic energy, and the lab was
similar to the roller coaster, rolling a ball down a hill and recording the speed with a photogate. Mr. Caja
walks the students through the lab as they work on it.

STRATEGIES:
Describe the teaching style(s) used
Mr. Caja uses a good combination of direct teaching and guided discovery. It is new material so he is
explaining it to them, but he asks pointed questions to allow the students to think critically about the new
material.

How does the teacher help students internalize essential knowledge? (ask questions, have student re-state
information, give examples)
Mr. Caja asks the students pointed questions to let them guide through the lesson, and he also uses the lab
to show how it works.

How does the teacher encourage critical thinking through emphasizing accuracy and clarity? (Link
information to prior knowledge)
Mr. Caja links the information to real world applications through the videos he shows.
MANAGEMENT:
Describe how the teacher organized and prepared the classroom prior to class.
Mr. Caja had the labs set up to be ready for the students. He also has the SOLs that were gone over for
the day written on the board.

What stop/start signals are used?

N/A

How are transitions between activities organized and implemented?

Mr. Caja didn’t really transition, he basically finished teaching and told the students it was time for the
assignment and lab.

EQUIPMENT:
How is equipment distributed and collected?
The students retrieve their assignment and lab sheet on their own and the lab equipment was already set
up for them.

STUDENTS’ BEHAVIOR:
How does the teacher help students develop a sense of comfort and order?
I didn’t really see anything for this. When it came to the assignment and lab portion, the students mainly
just did whatever they wanted.

To what extent do students demonstrate that they feel positive about themselves, their peers, their
instructor, and the tasks they are assigned?
The students seemed comfortable enough to respond during lecture.
What characteristics does the teacher possess that makes the entire lesson an enjoyable, productive
experience for the students?
Mr. Caja has a good relationship with the students, but I don’t think they respect him. Of the 16 students,
only 4 attempted to even do the lab.