Observe, Listen, Think, Reflect...

Today we observed the three different science grades at BDMS again. Mrs. Benfer has been so warm and welcoming to us at MSMC. I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to observe her teaching science.

The first class observed today was the 4th grade science class. They started the class with going over a test they recently took, the teacher wanted to know if anyone had any questions. She also inquired about the test format and what they thought of it. To her surprise some students favored the written response questions over the multiple choice ones. She also discovered that students referred back to the multiple choice questions to remind them of the answers to the written response questions.

Moving on....."What do we know about soil?" is what Mrs. Benfer started the lesson off with. So many students raised their hands and had so many great responses! Worms, water, bugs, decomposition, plants, etc. She asked the students if soil is a renewable resource. They said yes, so she had one of the students go up to the board and illustrate how. This student did an awesome job! I don't think I would have been able to do that, she even included the dead plant!!! Very bright class! She explained that soil is renewable and water is not. She told the class that the same water that was here from the dinosaurs is the same water that is here now. That statement even surprised me! You never really stop to think about fun facts like that! She then gave them an example saying, you have a bowl of cereal and use the last of the milk. Now, I go to have a bowl of cereal but there is no milk---we ran out, once we run out, that's it.

**She explained that in science we need to think of the consequences that might happen. She then gave an example of what would happen if she dumped car oil in her back yard, and showed them how devastating that could essentially be to our earth.

The next class was the 3rd grade science class. She went over the quiz they took to review and practice the content. What property of matter does this tool measure.......(as she is holding up a graduated cylinder). She then made a chart on the board of properties and tools. She had the students write this and say them with her, she did this to reinforce what was being taught. Retention is so much more when you do more than one way of learning, listening, repeating, and recording. I thought it was  a great way to strengthen the lesson.

After this she had the class break into partners. I felt so bad for this one girl, she was sad because no one wanted to be her partner. Then there were others who didn't even try to find a partner. Then of course there were the social butterflies who wanted a group instead of partners. It was very interesting to observe the students react in completely different ways to partnership. Eventually after almost five minutes of the girl who was sad started looking, this other sweet girl grabbed her hand and said let's go over here and put a huge smile on her face. It really warmed my heart.

The third class today was the 5th grade science class that I will be teaching the next time I see them. Today she did a study guide day because they have a test on friday. She said the chapter 11 test will be open notebook. She advised the students to be sure their notebooks were prepared for the test. She had a neat way of reviewing. She did a fill in the blank review. She put terms up on the board let students say a few things and then stopped them, and told them they need to go home, and find all of the missing information to fill in the blanks so the students will be prepared for the test.


One thing I noticed about this teacher, she would ask a question, then she would ask it again, until she saw an ample amount of hands raised instead of just a few students. She really makes sure she gets her students involved. She has so many subtle techniques that I think are great!

This fieldwork was very enjoyable and quite the learning experience for me. I love the observations so much, I want to send my children to this school!!!! Amazing!!!!