[aberbe]

I'm being observed by my principal this week. It has to be a math lesson. This is definitely my weak area. I can't think of anything wonderful to do. We're just in some "odds and ends" types of frameworks right now. Upcoming things I need to cover include "guess the rule" and equalities/inequalities. While I've covered the concept of division, I still need to address remainders.

One big obstacle for me is the wide range of abilities in my classroom. I have those kids who struggle and will need time to work, but then I have four identified GT and four other scary bright kids. I don't want them to finish the work in 10 minutes and then pull a book out. Normally I do have some sort of project or groupwork for these kids, but I guess because I'm being observed, I'm just drawing a blank.

Any suggestions?

[knb0628]

It isn't a lesson idea, but could you do some type of math workshop and have them in groups by ability, where your lower kids can do remediation work and your higher kids can do something at their level, so you are addressing all their needs?

[misswalton]

That is how I do most of my math instruction. Monday and Friday are both whole group where I teach all on level concepts. Then I take Tuesday - Thursday to do small groups. I have groups A, B, and O. (Approaching, Beyond, and On) The kids don't know that's why I've called them that

Anyways - One T,W, or Th, I do a mini lesson for about 15-20 mins. Then I have three activities planned. One is always with me, one is always some kind of seat work, and the last is a fun game or activity. Each group will have a chance to do each activity. We do them for about 15 mins and then switch.

Then I always plan my group (the teacher group) by the ability of the groups. I'll do remediation with the low group, review with the on group, and extention with the above group. It works out great!!!

I think this would be great for an observation because not only will it show off instruction and differentiation but also classroom management.

Good Luck!

[nanaof4]

perhaps you could have the students work at centers. One group could make up turkey word problems, another plan Thanksgiving dinner and what it will cost by using flyers from the Sunday paper, and so on.

[aberbe]

Thanks for the suggestions. I did my observation today and it was basically a train wreck!! It almost makes me glad I have 8 observations, so I know that she knows I don't always have things go so wrong.

The lesson was okay, but the kids were just really... odd. I had them do some activities that are routines they've done all year long, such as gluing word problems into their math journal. Suddenly today it was as if no one had ever done that before! They were gluing them all in the wrong places so they didn't have room to work, etc. I'm sure my principal thought I didn't explain the instructions well, but this is something they've been doing for 14 weeks!!

Oh well, we'll see what she says during the post conference!!