Classroom: Mrs.

Foglemans Class Observer: Jessica Kosco

Grade: Second and Third Date: 10/24/17
Curriculum Area: ELA/ Literacy Time: 9:50-11:55

What I notice Thoughts, Questions, Connections to Methods

Classes
D block is a time when students are broken into This is the first year for D block and the
groups based on their reading level. Activities teachers seem to enjoy it and feel that it
that occur at this time include Wordly Wise is benefiting their students. The small
books, Lexia program, sight word instruction, groups within D block is flexible and
and Novel Study. students are able to be moved around if
needed.
Wordly Wise books are workbooks in
1. Is D block beneficial for students?
which students complete questions
2. Where are the different levels placed
based on a passage. The teacher leads
during D-block? What work are they
the students through this lesson by
doing in those groups?
reading the passage together, then
3. What programs work during D block?
allowing the students to individually
Are the programs set in place working
answer one question at a time, and then
the best?
coming back as a whole group to review
4. How is comprehension checked during
the answers. The particular passage
Wordly Wise? Are the questions
they are working on is one about
assessed in another way, other than the
bullying.
teacher reviewing the answers at the
Lexia program consists of games and
end of the lesson?
activities based on sight words,
The small group structure seemed to
sentence order, vowels, and other
help and facilitate discussion and
phonics skills. Students work through
understanding about the two stories.
this program individually and at their
1. What was the teacher instruction given
own pace.
prior to this lesson?
Compare/ Contrast Stories Lesson: 2. Would a conclusion sentence
summarizing the comparisons of the
Students read two stories with the same two stories read in the small groups be
theme. Students create a chart to beneficial for students? Could it be used
compare the plot, characters, setting, as an assessment for that lesson?
and the theme in the two stories. 3. How long has the topic of comparing
Students work in groups of 3 or 4 to and contrasting stories been covered
complete this chart. Students then for?
present their comparisons to the class.
Each group of 3 or 4 received different
passages. The teacher goes over what
each section of the chart means and
makes sure that the students Are the assessments graded differently because
understand. Then the teacher gave an the teacher checked each students assessment
assessment to students about before allowing them to turn it in.
comparing and contrasting two stories.
The teacher checked over the
assessment before allowing students to
turn it in to her.