WHEN: September 12&17(6 hours) - Mastery Algebra CP & 10th grade

WHAT: Both classes I have observed have been very similar. My mentor teacher does activities to teach a concept and afterwards the students practice the concept. They do multiple worksheets to further their understanding. When the students have completed the class work, they are allowed to talk and basically do whatever they please as long as they are not disrupting the class. In addition, students are allowed to talk during the activities, but they must have their worksheets done, whether in class or at home for homework. When the students begin talking too much she asks them to stop and they calm down. The students have not gotten out of line in either of the two classes I have observed. I am not sure how I feel about this situation. I can’t decide whether I think this is a good way to manage a classroom or a bad way. I think it is good that no matter what, students must complete their work. I also feel that her being this easy-going allows students to feel comfortable and enjoy her class. But I do not like that they have a choice to either do it in class or talk in class, doing it later at home.

SO WHAT: I chose to comment on this particular observation because it was something I couldn’t help but question. Is this appropriate classroom management? Or is it more appropriate to not allow talking until class work is finished? If this is the case, how can you tell who is finished and who is not? In addition, how do you regulate students and prevent those who are not finished from talking?

NOW WHAT: I believe that after observing this classroom, I will not allow students to freely talk about subjects other than those that we are covering my class. In Dr. Manizade’s class, we have frequently discussed the importance of spending the entire class teaching. I believe that the time students are allowed to talk after they have finished their worksheets could be used better in order to further their understanding of the concepts taught in class. Instead of giving them extra time to do their work, I will give them the correct amount of time so that they definitely won’t finish in class and they must go home and finish it. I don’t believe it is appropriate to allow a student to sit around and do nothing in my class.