Science Classroom Visit

For my Science Classroom Visit, I got to observe Mrs. Erin Rhoades, a biology teacher here at Cedar Crest. On January 23rd, I got to observe her Biology CP course, where she was teaching a lesson on Di-hybrid Punnet Squares. On January 24th, I got to observe her Biology 2 course and she was having a cow eye dissection day. 

Biology CP- Di-hybrid Punnett Squares

She did not have the objectives listed for her lesson, but she started the class by stating that they were going to be learning about how to complete a di-hybrid cross in a Punnet Square. She started the lesson by completing a class example of how to complete a cross, by walking the through each of the steps and asking for student volunteers to answer the questions. Then she allowed the students to work through an example in their packets. She walked around and answered any questions that students had. At the end of class, she put the answer on the board for the punnet square, but then she asked students to complete the phenotype and genotype for homework. Some students, were already done with this as they were able to work faster, but other students had to take a picture of the correct square on the board in order to complete their homework.

As far as students being interested in the lesson, I think most of them were. One thing that I think helped to peak their interest is that she gave an example relating to the students about the sweatshirts and sweatpants that they choose to wear to school. Such as black or gray sweatshirt and black or gray sweatpants. Also, she stated her passion for this subject. Looking around, I think that all of the students were engaged in the lesson. She asked for different volunteers to tell her how to complete each step, so I think most students were interacting with the lesson instead of just listening to what she was saying. 

The Teaching methods that I found to be most effective were color coded notes, pace of learning, and visual and written notes. When she was completing her example on the board, she was switching colors for each trait, in order to help students visualize the differences in the Punnet Square. Another thing that I liked about her teaching methods, were that she was loud and slow. I think the pace of her lesson gave students time to copy down her example to their paper, but also comprehend what was happening in her lesson. I think students were also able to follow along because they were able to visual see what was happening, but also have a place to write down the example. She explained each step, so she was helping out the visual and auditory learners. To aid the Kinesthetic learners, she allowed them, for the last half of the class, to complete a problem on their own and to go at their own pace. In the beginning of class, the teacher was giving away information, but some students were able to answer questions of different steps, since they understood the problem. The second half of the class, she was facilitating learning, because she was allowing students to work on the problem, but was there to answer questions if they were stuck. 

Mrs. Rhoades BECOV performance:

Business-Like Behavior- She was very professional in her lesson and was confident in what she was teaching about Punnet Squares

Enthusiasm- To start the class, she explained how she really loved Punnet Squares, and was able to show the students why they should care as well.

Clarity- I thought this lesson was very clear, she had thought out instructions for the lesson, and also relayed the message to the students about their quiz the day prior and why she put it in the 2rd marking period grades rather than the 2nd. 

Opportunity to Learn- The structure of this class gave students a great opportunity to learn, because she demonstrated the problem, and then the students completed a problem, and were able to ask any questions that they had. 

Variability- Students were able to work at their own pace at the end of class, so she provided an opportunity for one on one help, or students could complete it at their own pace.

Biology 2- Cow Eye Dissection

Mrs. Rhoades invited me back to here classroom the next day, because she was doing a fun dissection with her other class. This Biology 2 class is students that want to be there and chose to take this class as an elective. I got to observe how she handled a dissection day and allowing students to work at their own pace during lab. 

Overall, I think this was a really cool experience and Mrs. Rhoades was really open to allowing me into her classroom.