Classroom Observation: Establishing Routines

Tim Bedley

13 Jun 201009:46

Summary

TLDRThe transcript depicts a classroom where students are empowered to take on responsibilities typically held by teachers. They follow a structured routine, including checking homework, assigning penalties for incomplete tasks, and facilitating discussions. Students are trained to work independently, including leading lessons, correcting sentences, and conducting spelling tests. They also engage in reciprocal teaching, peer review, and consensus-building activities in math. The teacher's role is minimal, highlighting a student-centered learning environment.

Takeaways

📚 Independent Learning: Students are trained to follow systematic procedures and manage their own learning tasks.
📅 Morning Routine: A structured morning routine is followed, including checking homework and setting new assignments.
🎫 Accountability: Students are held accountable for incomplete work, with a 'ticket' system and completion stamps.
👥 Class Jobs: Each student has a designated class job to facilitate classroom procedures.
📝 Assignment Sheets: Assignment sheets are used to track and highlight completed and incomplete tasks.
📊 Student Leadership: Students take on leadership roles, such as class leader, to direct transitions and facilitate discussions.
🤝 Peer Collaboration: Students work in groups to review, correct, and discuss their work.
🔤 Spelling Practice: Students practice spelling and reach consensus on correct spellings through group discussions.
📖 Reciprocal Teaching: Reading groups are facilitated by students using reciprocal teaching methods.
🧮 Math Consensus: Students check their math work in groups, reaching consensus on answers without teacher intervention.
📑 Vocabulary Development: Students create vocabulary cards and teach each other new words using a carousel method.

Q & A

What is the morning routine for students in the class?
-The morning routine involves students following a set procedure which includes copying new assignments onto their assignment sheets, checking homework for completion, and dealing with incomplete assignments by charging a 'ticket'.
How does the teacher ensure students are accountable for their homework?
-Students are accountable for their homework through a system where incomplete assignments are marked with a 'ticket', and a completion stamp is crossed off with the student's permission.
What is the role of Brianna in the class?
-Brianna's class job is to stamp assignment sheets for students who have completed their homework.
Who is responsible for directing transitions in the class?
-Students are capable of directing transitions, and this week, Oscar is the class leader responsible for this task.
How do students correct sentences together?
-Students correct sentences by discussing them together, with one student suggesting corrections and others agreeing or offering alternatives.
What is the significance of the 'I wonder' sentences in the class?
-The 'I wonder' sentences are used by students to express curiosity or to initiate discussions about the content they are learning.
How does the teacher facilitate independent learning in reading groups?
-Reading groups are student-led through reciprocal teaching, where one student acts as the facilitator to guide the discussion.
What is the process for students to reach consensus on math problems?
-Students reach consensus on math problems by discussing their answers in pairs or small groups, explaining their reasoning until they agree on the correct answer.
How are students encouraged to be independent in their learning?
-Students are encouraged to be independent by being trained to use procedures, such as raising their hand to find a new partner or checking their own work.
What is the role of Oscar in facilitating math quizzes?
-Oscar facilitates math quizzes by passing out the quizzes, timing the students, and ensuring the process runs smoothly.
How do students practice peer review in writing assignments?
-Students practice peer review by checking each other's writing assignments, providing feedback, and correcting any errors they find.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Classroom Routines and Student Independence

The paragraph describes a structured classroom environment where students are trained to be independent and responsible for their learning. The morning routine involves students copying homework assignments and checking each other's work for completion. A student named Jorge receives a 'ticket' for incomplete work, and his work is reviewed with his consent. Each student has a class job, such as Brianna who stamps assignment sheets for completed work. The class leader for the week, Oscar, facilitates transitions and discussions. Students are capable of leading discussions, correcting sentences, and conducting spelling tests. They are also trained to compare answers and reach consensus on their work. The teacher's role is minimal as students are encouraged to be self-sufficient.

05:01

🤔 Collaborative Learning and Accountability

This paragraph focuses on collaborative learning strategies used in the classroom. Students work in groups to check their math work and reach a consensus on the answers. The process involves explaining their thought process and helping each other understand the solutions. The teacher uses visual aids such as pictures on the board to guide students in finding their partners for group work. The paragraph also mentions a vocabulary carousel activity where students teach each other new words. Additionally, there is a mention of a class election for the next week's leader, showcasing the students' involvement in class management. The teacher, Oscar, facilitates activities such as math quizzes and encourages peer review of writing assignments.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Independent Learners

Independent learners are students who can take initiative in their learning process without constant guidance from a teacher. In the video, this concept is exemplified by students who follow a morning routine, check each other's homework, and facilitate various classroom activities. It's a key theme as it promotes self-reliance and personal responsibility among students.

💡Systematic Training

Systematic training refers to a structured and organized approach to teaching where students are guided through a series of steps to achieve a learning goal. The video script mentions that students follow clear procedures, indicating a systematic approach to their training, which is crucial for establishing a predictable and efficient learning environment.

💡Morning Routine

A morning routine is a set of activities done at the start of the school day to set a productive tone for the rest of the day. In the context of the video, the morning routine includes setting out homework and checking for completion, which helps in organizing the class and ensuring that all students are on track with their assignments.

💡Homework

Homework is assigned work that students are expected to complete outside of class time. The script describes how students copy new assignments and check each other's homework for completion, emphasizing the importance of homework in reinforcing learning and developing good study habits.

💡Class Job

A class job is a specific role or responsibility assigned to a student within the classroom to help manage class procedures. The video mentions that every student has a class job, such as stamping assignment sheets, which helps distribute responsibilities and fosters a sense of community and ownership among students.

💡Class Leader

The class leader is a student who takes on a leadership role for a certain period, guiding and managing class activities. In the script, Oscar is highlighted as the week's class leader, illustrating how students can take on leadership roles to enhance their organizational and management skills.

💡Reciprocal Teaching

Reciprocal teaching is a method where students take turns teaching each other, promoting active learning and peer collaboration. The video script mentions reading groups that are student-led using reciprocal teaching, which allows students to practice explaining concepts and listening to their peers' perspectives.

💡Consensus

Consensus in a classroom context refers to a general agreement among students on a particular issue or answer. The script describes how students work in groups to reach consensus on answers, which encourages collaborative problem-solving and ensures that all students understand and agree on the solution.

💡Accountability

Accountability in education means that students are responsible for their actions and learning outcomes. The video script shows students holding each other accountable, such as when one student charges another a 'ticket' for incomplete homework, demonstrating how the concept of accountability is embedded in their learning culture.

💡Vocabulary Cards

Vocabulary cards are tools used to learn and memorize new words. In the video, students create vocabulary cards and use a carousel method to teach each other their words, which is an interactive way to reinforce language learning and engage students in the teaching process.

💡Peer Review

Peer review is a process where students evaluate each other's work to provide feedback and improve their understanding. The script mentions students practicing peer review for writing assignments, which is a valuable skill that helps them develop critical thinking and constructive feedback skills.

Highlights

Students follow a morning routine, set homework, and check each other's assignments, fostering independence.

Each student has a specific class job, such as facilitating procedures or stamping assignment sheets for homework completion.

Students are trained to take on tasks normally performed by the teacher, including transitions and reviewing student work.

Oscar, the class leader, incorporates peer sharing into the lesson, allowing students to correct sentences collectively.

Students practice spelling tests with the class leader leading, reaching consensus on correct answers through discussion.

Students use reciprocal teaching during reading sessions, with student facilitators guiding discussions.

Daniel, as a student facilitator, uses a guide booklet to lead reading discussions, modeling prediction and engagement techniques.

Students hold each other accountable for completing and turning in assignments, with designated students collecting work.

Daily math checks are done in small groups where students work to reach consensus on answers, developing collaboration skills.

Students practice peer review in writing, correcting and suggesting improvements in each other’s work.

Students created vocabulary cards and use a carousel activity to teach each other their assigned words.

Oscar facilitates math fact quizzes by distributing and timing the tests, allowing students to practice recall and timing.

Students vote for a new class leader, promoting a democratic classroom environment and leadership skills.

Students raise their hands when seeking new partners, demonstrating that they have been trained to follow procedures for smooth transitions.

The class environment supports student independence, where students actively participate in managing and leading their own learning activities.