Wheelock Supervisor's Response to Second Lesson

Student: Catherine Schrager

Lesson: Math/Finding benchmarks for measurement tools (yard, in)
Date of visit: 11/7/12
Grade 4

Catherine had prepared a lesson plan ahead of time. She had pulled together all of the needed materials for the lesson.  Catherine began the lesson by sharing directions with students. Students then were able to take on the task throughout the room as they found benchmarks to match the standard measurements they were given. Catherine had engaging and probing 1:1 discussions with students throughout the independent working time. Her SP recommended that she pull the students together again for more instructions. Catherine was able to get their attention easily and bring them back together for more instructions for the final part of the lesson. Students worked independently on a math sheet. Catherine asked for students to share what benchmarks they found for each standard measurement.

After the lesson, Catherine, her SP and I had a reflective conversation. Catherine has a very good working relationship with her students. She is comfortable and competent at getting their attention, moving them through transitions, and having discussions. They feel supported and heard. She has built their trust. Catherine is working on 1) being able to name what's most essential in a lesson in 'kid' language and 2) beginning to get a 'pulse' for the right time to pull students together to regroup or reflect on the lesson. Catherine is very reflective about her practice and was able to pinpoint these next steps in her teaching. She is very willing to hear feedback and learn strategies for these next places of learning.

To prepare for her takeover week, she has laid out a schedule of taking on longer chunks of the day.