FIU

Off-Campus Observation Map

Your

Name

Alain Camous

Name of School

E-Mail: acamo003@fiu.edu

Dr. Carlos J. Finlay

Town

Name of Teacher Observed Cathy Benedict (students)

Observation Date

November 20th, 2014

Miami

State

Class Elementary methods

Time

9:15 AM

Date Submitted

FL

Grade(s) November 24th, 2014

Describe the teaching

environment. Who are the
children? Who is the teacher?
How might the school environment
impact what happens in the
classroom?

The classroom was a very spacious classroom where there were not any individual tables, but
rather a couple large tables were the kids would normally sit. On one of the corkboards, the
teacher had put simple rules on there so the kids can see the rules of the classroom. The
children are a couple of elementary students who are in a lower level music class, where they
will learn the basics of music. The teacher for this lesson was 4 of my colleagues and Cathy
Benedict. If the school environment would have been different (had there been more tables
and more students) The students would have a harder time staying focused.
The teachers goal for the class today was to practice rhythm dictation, meaning of words for
What were the teachers goals for a song, how to follow directions and then reviewing pass lessons. My colleagues did a fine
the class/ensemble? How did job going through each section of the lesson proficiently. As a persons lesson approached
she/he act on those?
the end, the other was ready to pick up where they left off.

What teaching/rehearsal
strategies did you see? What was
the learning sequence?

A couple of teaching strategies I saw were interaction, repetition, explanation, and the use
off different people to focus on each topic individually.

In one of the lessons (the rhythm reading exercise) I believe I would have done it a little

What would you do differently?

differently. In that part of the lesson, I believe I would have explained 8 th notes differently
What was missing from the lesson? where it would not have been as confusing. I think everything was covered thoroughly

because of the fact that each student had one section to teach, and was taught proficiently.

What evidence did you observe

that would indicate that the
learning goals were met?

A couple of key factors that lead me to believe that the goals were met were that of simple
ones. The kids smiling and raising their hands confidently indicates that they understood
what was being taught. The kids were able to sing correctly, read correctly and follow
directions, along with retaining what they had done in the past.

What evidence of critical thinking,

critical feeling and/or critical action
did you see?

There was a point in the lesson where one of my colleagues were teaching rhythms and the
students werent understanding the eight-note pattern so at that point in time, they had to
think critically and on their feet in order to not stall the lesson.

What National Standards did you

see?

I saw those of mathematics for when they counted notes, that of reading when they read the
note figures, and that of comprehension when they had to retain what was being said.

How did students engage in the

classroom? What was happening
at the time when students were
really focused?

The kids engaged in the classroom by singing at first and then making sure they rose their
hands in order to answer the questions being asked. When students were really focused,
they were quiet and still trying to think critically on what was being taught.

Describe a "teachable moment"

that you might have witnessed.

One of the kids had answered a question that no one else was getting correct and when they
answered, they had a huge smile on their face where they felt accomplished because they
knew the answer.

What constructive comments might you make about this lesson/rehearsal?

A couple of comments I would make would be to remember that when you are alone in the classroom, it will be
tougher. We always have to be thinking on our feet as educators. When things dont go the way we want them
to, we need to be able to come up with a solution ASAP and not waste any time. In our lessons, we need to be
able to expect that they dont know anything there for, it is always clear what you are teaching.

What is your overall assessment of this teacher, the students and the lesson/rehearsal?
I believe they did a fantastic job! It was quite interesting the approaches that were used by each individual, a
real eye opener. The lessons were really thought out and none were really nervous which is remarkable.