Classroom Observation

For my classroom observation, I attended Mrs. Russells classroom at Central

Elementary. She teaches third grade Language Arts and Writing. I had spoken to her about

observing a composition-related class and she was more than willing to let me come into her

classroom to see her learning objectives, instructional procedures, and objective measures of

success.

To begin, the learning target for the day was I can develop a tall tale using effective technique,

descriptive details, and clear event sequences (W.3.3- Write narratives to develop real or

imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details and clear event

sequences.). Mrs. Russell began her lesson by reading the learning target, and then she used the

First Thoughts strategy. This pre-assessment strategy allowed the students to formulate an

opinion of what they would be learning today. After she let a few students tell their opinions, she

explained what a tall tale really is because none of the students were able to accurately describe

it. She gave examples of some tall tales, such as Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill. After this, Mrs.

Russell explained to the class what characteristics make up a tall tale. She stated the plan for the

day and explained to the students what she would be looking for at the end of the day. She

expressed her high expectations and challenged them to meet her objectives. Then, she gave the

students all of the materials they would need to complete this lesson and activity, such as

magazine, scissors, computer paper, a regular piece of paper, glue, colors, and markers.

Mrs. Russell began giving instructions after her introduction. The students were to find a picture

in a magazine. This would become the topic of their tall tale. They glued this picture to the center

of the computer paper and began to color in all around the picture. Mrs. Russell encouraged the
students to be very creative and draw goofy pictures and fill in every blank spot on the page with

color. After everyone had completed their picture, Mrs. Russell told the class to look at their

picture and see what tall tale the picture inspired them to make up. After brain-storming their

ideas, Mrs. Russell had to give the students a thumbs up as a way to approve of their topic for the

tall tale. At this point, the students began working on their tall tale. Mrs. Russell told me that I

could walk around and assist the students if needed, so I helped students with punctuation,

capitalization, coming up with a title, and more. When the class had finished their tall tales, Mrs.

Russell informed the class that a presentation of their work would be their exit slip. So, she

began to let the students come up and show and tell their tall tales. I was very impressed with the

material that was presented by the students. I could definitely tell that they enjoyed this activity

and the objective of the lesson was a total success.

This was an amazing learning experience. The students were very engaged, worked hard, and

stayed on task. I was able to see how well a classroom can flow when there is a good teacher in

charge. Mrs. Russell prepared a lesson that made the students want to learn. Usually students do

not like doing composition-based assignments, but this class was thrilled to take on this lesson

and produce a tall tale.

Overall, I was able to see Mrs. Russell successfully achieve her learning objective. The students

proved to develop a tall tale that used effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event

sequences. Also, her instructional procedures were phenomenal. She made every transition flow

and did not waste any time. Lastly, she definitely met her objective measures of success. This

was a lesson that I was so glad I had the chance to observe.