1

Adrienne Ducato

Professor Kathleen Ferrando

Intro to Teaching

5 November 2017

Lesson Study Reflective Essay

The lesson study at Coleman Elementary, with Mrs. Mary Kate Kenney, embodied what a

career as a teacher is all about. This experience was especially beneficial and provided pointers

on better ways to teach to a diverse group of students. It showed the importance of learning to

understand each student on a one-on-one basis, so trust can be established. Mrs. Mary Kate

Kenney has been teaching for many years, and her passion for the job has yet to fade. The lesson

she taught her fifth graders was history standard 5.1, which focused on describing Native

American settlements and technological advancements. Throughout the class period she honed in

on TPE 3 and TPE 2, by modeling respect for her students and valuing them as individuals. The

manner in which she taught seemed to be helpful for all of the students, because the classroom

was structured around a democracy and treating one another with equity.

TPE 3 is defined as understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning. It

consists of seven useful mechanisms to guide teachers and students in their performance. In

particular, Mrs. Mary Kate Kenney began the lesson by asking the students to share out loud

what they had learned prior to this class period about Native American settlements and

technological advancements. This technique allowed the students to demonstrate their

knowledge, review the subject matter, and become involved in the learning experience.

Throughout the discussion, the teacher would occasionally instruct the students to participate in

quick think-pair-share activities. By interacting in this manner, it allowed for team

 2

communication and additional community building. The benefits that come out of think-pair-

share are the reasons as to why the teacher designed the classroom with groupings, so these

exercises could be quick and efficient. TPE 3 states the importance of implementing technology

into the curriculum of all classrooms. The teacher did this by allowing for the students to use

different references, such as Ducksters website on chrome books along with reading materials

and posters, to complete an in-class assignment. Technology is extremely relevant to today’s

world, and it is such a useful tool. It is an engaging way of learning, although the instructor must

carefully monitor the students use of it. Furthermore, the teacher used a projector to give a visual

of how to access the website and the topics students could choose from for the assignment. This

specific TPE is designed to include the 21st century skills of collaboration, communication,

critical thinking, and creativity. The practice of group collaboration created communication

amongst the students. This allowed for the establishment of better social interaction skills,

because it created a place of trust and feeling comfortable around one another. Communication

was promoted through peer sharing by having students whisper to those sitting at their table

about the answers to the questions before sharing out loud with the entire class. This prompted

the students to think, because many of the questions were open ended. Critical thinking was also

demonstrated when students were given the opportunity to individually choose the topic that

interested them the most this way they would be more engaged in the content. The students were

faced with the task of thinking critically when they had to link current advancements to native

ones. By having the opportunity to sit in on this particular class it was evident that the students

were benefiting from the manner in which they were being taught. Creativity was shown

throughout the design of the classroom with decorative boards hung on the walls, which

displayed both Social Studies and English. Two boards, which were dedicated to Social Studies,
 3

were decorated with teepees that the fifth graders had made along with maps and native artifacts.

Another board integrated the subject of English, with tips for grammar and speaking. The overall

way in which the class was taught and the layout of the classroom itself, provided helpful tips

that will be beneficial for when I have my own classroom in the near future.

TPE 2 is defined as creating and maintaining effective environments for student learning.

The teacher began the class by first setting up the expectation of “I’ll take a quiet hand.” This

demonstrates classroom management and proved to be effective, with lots of students

encouraged to share their thoughts. By setting boundaries at the beginning it allowed for more

beneficial class management, which teaches them better manners. This also allowed for everyone

to get the chance to share and participate, which demonstrates fairness. The teacher also wrote on

the board, which was a benefit for visual learners. This shows Mrs. Mary Kate Kenney cares

about each individual student, because she took the time to implement different learning styles

that she knew would be the most helpful. This TPE works because its methods create discipline

and teach the students the importance of following the rules. The teacher did not abuse her

power, but rather created an equal playing field amongst the students and herself. The students

were eager to speak yet they maintained self control. It was evident that the students felt that

their opinion mattered, because the teacher treated everyone as holding a purpose for their

presence in the classroom. This prompted the students to want to be more involved in the

classroom and helped them to build confidence as young learners.

Democracy is equal rights and equality for every citizen, while equity implements this in

a fair and impartial manner. A democracy was represented by the students all being given the

same opportunity to share out loud, which made them more engaged in their learning. The

teacher encouraged the students to openly talk out loud and not be afraid to speak up. Mrs. Mary
 4

Kate Kenney made the students feel like they all served a purpose, by letting students get

involved in the discussions if they raised their hands, passing out papers, and allowing them to

whisper to their table partners. Also, the teacher let the students choose whether or not they

wanted to talk out loud, and if they said no there was no shame put onto them. It was noticeable

that the students very much appreciated the ability to make their own choices, rather than being

forced into something they would be uncomfortable doing. The teacher established a safe space

for the students, that was built on trust. The students were given the same opportunities to

participate, which shows that each was treated fairly. Every student is so uniquely different from

the other, for instance, one student had just moved to the United States from Brazil. Another

example of diversity seen in the classroom were the two students sitting side by side in the back,

with one being the tallest boy in the class and the other being the shortest girl with bright red

hair. However, no matter the differences amongst one another, they were all equal in the eyes of

the teacher and she did not treat any student as being inferior nor superior to another. The lesson

taught by the teacher demonstrated diversity, by showing how civilizations nowadays differ from

those of the past. As a prospective teacher, it was amazing to witness how in just one classroom

everyone was so uniquely different. This is why diversity is something that should be encouraged

in a positive manner. The classroom had different decorations that promoted this through posters

displaying how to positively speak to one another along with posters for good characteristics to

have such as fairness, caring, and respect. Characteristics such as these and learning to positively

speak to other people are two things that will be of importance throughout the rest of one’s life.

They both need to be taught more, because they are powerful tools that will prove to be

beneficial far beyond just the inside of a classroom. As a student, it was a real eye opener going
 5

from high school to college in regards of how diverse everyone is along with the importance of

learning to respect one another, especially in today’s world.

The manner in which the students are being taught allows them to reflect and think for

themselves, which is beneficial for the entire class and helps them to become more

knowledgable. The way the class is being taught seems to be gravitating everyones attention and

encouraging good social interaction. Throughout the period, the students were positively

focused, responsible, respectful, and motivated. Everyone was involved, which helped to build a

better understanding of the subject. It was clear that the teacher and her students shared an

undeniable bond and that she only wants the best for them. This lesson study was an extremely

beneficial experience, and I believe it was helpful. As a prospective teacher this lesson study

provided me with useful tactics that I plan on incorporating into my own classroom one day.