Video Analysis

I am in the 2nd grade Dual Language Immersion class (Spanish) at East Elementary.
During one of our math planning days, the team mentioned how little there is in the math
program and core about coins and money. Based on that conversation and the importance for
children to learn about money, I chose to do my math lesson on coins and their values.
I taught my lesson on Wednesday, November 5th in the morning. My new mentor teacher.
Mrs. Liz Barkley, was present, my DSU supervisor Dr. Nancy Hauck, a DSU practicum student
and friend Lacee Walters, and of course the 25 students in the Red class (half of the 50 students
in the DLI program). Lacee was kind enough to attend my lesson for the purpose of recording it
on my iPad. The purpose of this paper is to analysis the results of the lesson and to critique my
teaching techniques.
When I arrived home that day, my 6-year-old son asked what I was doing with the iPad. I
told him I was watching the recorded lesson I had taught that day to my class of second graders.
He asked to watch and I consented. His first comment was positive: WowI cant believe you
teach kids like me! After a few minutes of watching he lost interest and said, Can we be done
now? I laughed but hoped it didnt resemble the thoughts of the students in my class. As I
watched the video, I was taken aback by how much I reminded myself of my identical twin
sister. I sounded like her, my mannerisms resembled hers, and I felt like I was watching her. It
was very bizarre watching myself on video feeling as if I was watching someone else.
The class was well behaved the day I taught my lesson and I felt good about the entire
experience. The video adequately showed how the lesson went and was an interesting tool to
reflect on. It was, however, recorded from the back corner of the room, causing there to be a

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great deal of background noise in the video. There were several interruptions during the lesson
as well (calls over the intercom from the school secretaries), but the lesson seemed to flow
despite the breaks.
There were several aspects of the video I felt were strengths in my teaching: presence,
management, directions, and animation. I noticed I had a good presence in the classroom as I
tried my best to circulate around the room and not stay in one spot. I did spend a majority of the
time toward the front of the room in order to use the Smartboard for the Prezi presentation, but I
think it was an acceptable amount of time during whole-group instruction. I did not spend very
much time with my back to the class, and made frequent eye contact with students. Watching the
video, I decided the volume of my voice was appropriate for all in the class to hear.
Another positive aspect to my teaching was strong management. I often used nonverbal
cues (holding finger to my mouth) to remind students it was not their turn to talk. I also gave
clear, concise, explicit directions in order to facilitate smooth transitions in between activities. I
was also animated in my speaking and geared my actions toward young children. As a teacher to
elementary age children, there is an element of theatrics and an entertainment value that must be
present to keep students engaged. Watching myself on the video, I think I adequately possess
that entertainment piece.
As I watched the video, there were several areas I noticed I needed to improve, and habits
that started to annoy me. The first was the overuse of the word okay as a sentence starter. I
did not realize prior to the video how often I said that word. I realize that is not a habit I will be
able to fix overnight or suddenly stop, but being conscious of it will help me to lessen the habit.
I also noticed I use my hands a lot when I talk. This is a habit I have always been well aware of
and have friends poke fun of me for it, yet it was entertaining to actually see it. I do not believe

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my hand usage is over excessive or discredited my lesson in any way, but I can see how it can
become a bit of a distraction. I know I need to be conscious of my actions and mannerisms.
Another aspect of my presenting that I noticed was the tendency I had to interrupt
myself, pausing in mid-sentence as I remembered something and switching gears. A more
professional way to teach would be to complete my sentence, and then continue with the
additional thought for a smooth speaking flow. It may help to either have a notepad to jot down
ideas or forgotten items, or to be more organized in lesson presentation.
The most important part of my reflection has been the realization that my habits and
abilities as a teacher will either credit and add to, or detract from my lessons and teaching. The
more conscious I can be of my strengths and weaknesses, the more I will be able to improve and
progress in teaching. I also appreciate the fact that I am a model for my students in more areas
than academics; in fact, I am a model and example for them in numerous ways. How I look, act,
dress, present myself, move, speak, and behave, will send a message to students of what is
appropriate behavior for a professional and for someone in a school. Everything I do or say will
affect my students, whether it is positively or negatively. The goal is for the entirety of my
teaching disposition is to be a positive model for my students in every aspect possible.