Claire CO #1

Today I observed Ms. Calyn Stringer's Group 2 Reading class. She led her students through an activity from the textbook on mummification in ancient Egypt, which had the students employ reading strategies like skimming and summarizing in different stages. Calyn's main focus was on defining 10 unfamiliar vocabulary words to gain a better understanding of the text. There was a lot of work in small groups as well as large group discussion, and the students participated and actively used English frequently throughout the class. I really liked how Calyn kept structure in the classroom by writing the agenda on the board at the beginning of class and making clear transitions from one section of the activity to the next. She played ambient music during the students' independent reading times, which was an interesting way to mark the different sections of the class activity. Calyn was very friendly and encouraging with the students, referring to several of them by their nicknames and inviting one student who had sat in a corner alone to join the group at the main table by saying "Please come sit with us! We miss you!" Before taking attendance, she asked the students what they had done over the weekend, asked good follow-up questions and gave feedback/error corrections. Calyn did a good job highlighting several concepts she wanted the students to grasp as important and moving on quickly from less important things. At one point a debate arose about whether or not the eye is considered an organ, and she settled the matter by challenging one of the students to research it and share with the class the next day. Calyn also suggested the online resource learnersdictionary.com for students to use to look up new vocabulary.

Date/Time: March 6, 11:00-11:50am
Skill: Reading Group 2
Teacher: Calyn Stringer