Today our class completed our first observation of a fifth grade science class at Bishop Dunn Memorial School. The teacher did a lesson on data point spreads. Throughout the lesson she used the inquiry method by asking questions to the class that made them really think. She provided a visual on the board by drawing a number line on the board with temperatures above the line. She modeled by showing the students her very own index card with 70 degrees Celsius written on it. She then turned to the board and said "ut oh, the number 70 isn't written on the board, can somebody help me?" Her students walked her through how to find the number 70 in between the two points 60 & 80 that were written in.
**This got her students to engage in critical thinking. She very well could have just placed it on the board all by herself, but she wanted to ensure her students would know what to do if a number they are given was not written.
She then had a stack of index cards and had the students that were given cards go up to the board and plot the temperatures while the rest of the class started to copy the board, giving every student something to do. When all of the data was recorded on the board, she went through each plot one by one asking the student how they found it, how they knew what to do with the negative numbers, etc.
**She did this to ensure all students can see why the data was plotted where it was.
Throughout the lesson she gave specific academic praise numerous times, complimented students on how well they were doing with the work, and checking for understanding frequently. She even asked if the pace she was moving at was ok, to ensure all students were on the same page so to speak.
Lots of praise! 
Lots of checking for understanding!After this the students had to answer four questions in their text where they had to utilize two data point spreads already completed to find the answers, this was a great way for the students to practice what they just learned, while the teacher and us college students were there to guide them when needed.
The students were then given a worksheet for homework basically doing what they just did in class. They were allowed to work on it if they finished the text assignment.
This teacher walked around the room observing the students working, she gave praise and feedback throughout, she checked for understanding throughout the lesson, she addressed all concerns of students including when one student raised his hand, she was speaking to the class, she quietly walked over to him but finished asking the students a question to find a solution for, then she whispered to him and resolved it while the class was working.
I really enjoyed this experience, the students were great, very bright group, the teacher was so welcoming and accommodating to us. This teacher is simply amazing, she basically did a 5E lesson and modeled for us, what type of teachers we are all aspiring to be! I am definitely looking forward to going back and observing some more!!!!
You made a lot of really good points, such as the academic praise which i also found to be great. It really great to actually see this happen in the classroom and not just hear about it. It gives us more of an understanding of how to implement it into the classroom. I also noticed she asked the students if the pace was too fast, through all my observations i havent seen a teacher do that once and i really thought it was wonderful that she did.
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