FLORES

Victor Flores
0291403
1st Placement
Memorial Middle School HCISD

January 23, y

Observation Reflection
First Six Hours
Upon embarking in these observations I had no idea as to what I was to see. The teachers
that allowed me to observe their classrooms have helped me tremendously in respect to examples
as to how and how not to approach my further students.
Planning and preparing lesson plays a huge role in the success of the learning out come. In
observing different classrooms I have come to realize the importance that carefully planning the
various tasks and activities that, as a student, I once took for granted. I found that a well thought
out lesson can significantly increase the chances of having the students understand and
comprehend the material. I observed various lessons from hands on activities, to lectures and
group projects. In some instances some worked better than others: what I thought would work
sometimes did not, and what I judged as a future failure actually turned out to engage the
students in a way I never imagined. The secret behind success is the teacher's planning. In
example, I saw plenty of well intended group projects fail because the teacher did not plan ahead
for the various shenanigans that middle schoolers have to offer. If I was to recreate these lessons
I would assure that I had an exact procedure that took the students through a chronological step
by step process that gave them a limited amount of free time to explore more naughty venues.

OBSERVATION REFLECTION

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If I learned anything of value, which I did, discipline and classroom management would be
on the top of my list. During the duration of my observation I witnessed a plethora of different
styles. Examples range from the yelling coach to the caring and motherly English teacher. I
would not say one is better than the other but rather the consistency and ability to react to
different students that make the various styles affective. I personally am a well tempered person
that believes that students respond better to a familiar face that cares and respects them. I have
found that they wish to work better for you than if I was to be constantly yell.
As my observations advanced I geared more of my attention on the students and what they
got out of the teacher. Upon looking around the classroom I gathered that students are all very
different and learn at different rates. All the teachers that I observed were keen on assuring that
all students achieved the learning goals set within the lesson regardless of the whatever
difference set them apart. My favorite scenario I observed was when one teacher paired a student
that was not understanding the objective with a student that quickly mastered it and had the
advanced student teach the other. This worked perfectly, I thought, because the advanced student
had to think on a very critical level, understanding and manipulating the topic in different ways
to get the other student to understand while the other student had more time and help. It was a
winning situation for both. The demonstrated teaching effectively to everybody. This gave me
insight and new techniques to possibly implement in the future.
When thinking about what I saw, I would have to say the area that needs more
improvement would have to be the preparation of some instructors. I think the majority of the
problems could be by passed from the teachers just being prepared to teach the lesson(s). If I was
in their position I would critically think of the best way to improve the handling of the
topic/project and how to best manage achieving the learning goals within the designated amount
of time.

OBSERVATION REFLECTION

FLORES

OBSERVATION REFLECTION