Assessment of Classroom Teaching

Science Education
Virginia Tech
Intern:
Name of Lesson:

Duncan Smith
Momentum

Observer:

Veronica van Montfrans

Date:
4/14/2015
School/Grade: High School Physics
10-12

1. How was the lesson constructed and organized?

Mr. Smith had to begin the lesson addressing a few discipline issues from a prior class.
He handled it very well and the students listened respectfully. Afterwards, he jumped
right back into teacher-mode and proceeded with the lesson.
Like the last lesson, Mr. Smith utilized the clicker. This is the first class after Spring
Break and the review question was trying to dredge up information that may have been
lost the last week.
After the discussion questions, Mr. Smith asked the student to gather around and
proceeded to show them a Newtons cradle and predict what would happen while raising
various amounts of the pendulum balls.
Students were then given an open-ended injury activity. They were asked to use the
physic ramps, rolling carts, and various amounts of weights to try to create a properly
angle and weight to break through a piece of paper. They then had to figure out the
equation that caused this.
They proceeded with this until the end of class.

2. What strategies did the teacher use for engaging students?

Engagement happened as soon as the students entered the classroom. The clickers that Mr. Smith
used were not just good at monitoring their learning, but instantly provided student engagement.
The technology was not so novel that it distracted from the lesson, but it was novel enough to
have the students wanting to use it.
Mr. Smith is very conversational with the students. He has a rapport that they students respect and
understand, and he can carry a dialogue with the students about the topic to keep them engaged.
Mr. Smith knows the students names, which is very important.
Newtons Cradle engaged the students. They students constantly wanted to test their different
theories.
The entire activity was engaging. Students were having fun, laughing, and enjoyed their time, all
while being on task. When a car would fly off the track, Mr. Smith did not miss a beat, and kept
the light-hearted mood of the activity.
3. How did the teacher manage and monitor student learning?

As previously mentioned, the clicker review questions allowed Mr. Smith to determine
the percentage of the students that understood the review questions.
Mr. Smith circulated the room to answer questions constantly and check on the
momentum lab. He asked questions of not just what the students were doing to break the
paper, but inquired on their thinking process as well.

4. How did the students respond to the activities?

Students loved the activity. Mr. Smith created a classroom environment that allowed the
students to feel comfortable exploring through trial and error. They were engaged the
entire activity, and there was quite a bit of laughter through the day. Mr. Smith allowed
them to learn and inquire through the power of playing, and the students responded by
having fun playing and discovering the equation that was asked of them.

5. What are suggestions for this lesson and for future planning?

Mr. Smith needs to make sure that the bell ringer activity is a bit shorter. This bell ringer
might have been a bit longer because it was the review after spring break.

Overall, a very good lesson. It was enjoyable to watch and the enjoyment of the students was very
evident. Great job!