Carnevale08+Anecdotal+Records


 * Grade Level:** 3
 * Content of Lesson:** Waterwheels
 * Objectives:** The students will create a model waterwheel to demonstrate the power of water. The students will show a willingness to consider alternative ideas of others in their group. The students will explore the variables that affect the waterwheel’s functioning.
 * Assessment Criteria and Instrument:** As the teacher I took anecdotal notes for student understanding by observing student’s prior knowledge, exploration approaches, and oral descriptions of waterwheels. I utilized the large sticker label method mentioned in class to execute my formative assessment. I carried around a clipboard to jot down my observations of students.
 * Analysis of the Data:** Considering the students are not familiar with inquiry based science and are use to a more structured setup I was very pleased with the outcome of the lesson. Some students were uneasy with this new type of learning and constantly looked to me for approval of ideas. Majority of the students were actively engaged and participating in the exploration of how to build a working waterwheel. Student responses and discussion drove the entire lesson. They were able to make many real-life connections to the concepts being taught. There was a high level of excitement and enthusiasm in the classroom. However, I heard some students make negative comments about always doing it wrong. The leaders within groups really stuck out; They verbally explained their ideas which helped scaffold the lesson for observational learners.
 * Recommendations for future instruction for the entire class:** I would encourage students to utilize the proper vocabulary during discussions for practice. I would recommend making note of things that don’t work to help remind students of approaches they used. I would also stress that there are no such thing as doing a wrong investigation! The whole point of inquiry based science is to keep trying out new ideas and make discoveries.
 * Recommendations for future instruction for the students sampled:** I did as best I could to observe all students. I soon realized it would be best to focus on a group of students to strengthen my observations. Overall the students need more exposure to vocabulary and to obtain a more in depth understanding of concepts. Again I would advise students to try everyone’s ideas. Students often stumble upon new discoveries through trial and error. I would further students’ thinking by asking higher order questions to challenge and stimulate the mind. To involve observational learners I would assign them a particular material to play with as I did in my lesson; having one thing to focus on relieved frustration.

//*See hard copy of anecdotal notes from science lesson.//

Carisa Carnevale back to 452_08_Section_1