Self-Evaluation of Videotaped Lesson

Amy Stewart

October 7, 2003

 

 

     I am pleased with the way the introduction to my lesson went.  The different kinds of money are so interesting.  The kids seemed both interested and to be actively using observation skills to participate in the discussion.  I feel that I asked questions consistently, and consistently students willingly participated.  I worked to tie the subject to their lives.  I think it is easy with money.  Kids seemed to be aware of the uses of money, and even gave fairly appropriate answers to the questioning of what certain amounts of money would buy.  It seems money is of big interest to students this age.  I know that if I were a student in this class, I would have been very interested in the activities today.  The different types of money are very interesting to me even at this age.

     I felt that during two times I might have wasted more time than I should have.  I had students pass the money in a circle because I have witnessed them passing sharing items around when all just huddled at the front.  In this instance I have heard several comments like, “I didn’t get to see it!”  This is usually followed by feelings of distress.  I thought the circle would be effective, because I also felt the students would be adamant about seeing every one I brought.  And, I since I thought they would feel this way, I wanted them to see them all.  A display with money inserted into sleeves may have been the answer to my problem.  Because they do not belong to me I could not laminate them onto a large poster board, otherwise this would be another solution.  At the same time, I tried to probe children during this time with the open-ended question, “What did you learn about money today?”

     Another time I felt time slipping was when passing out pennies for the game.  I wanted to pair them myself though to start, and that is why I did it that way.  I lost a bit of time here too, and I have learned that every minute of class time is precious. 

     Management seemed to be somewhat of an issue today.  I know the kids were excited to get out early, for one.  The money topic seemed to get them going also.  At the same time, game playing is also more loud and uncontrolled than the usual classroom activity.  I spoke to Mr. Andreassen about it to find out if that was appropriate level of activity.  He said that from what he could tell, the students were having fun with the game, however they were all on task.  It was a bit scary to me.  It felt like I was on the edge, like I could lose control if not careful.  At the same time, it felt so good to give them a lesson that began by really peaking their interest and that ended with an activity that they thought was really fun, and they were learning all the while. 

     Lastly, I had written an adjustment to the penny game where a struggling student could draw out ten circles and cross one off for every penny outside the cup.  Then by counting the remaining circles, students would know what was under the cup.  I actually used this for a pair who was struggling to get the answers right.  It seems first graders have a real need to have things “right.”  So, I was glad I added an adjustment to this lesson.