Observation Of Ms. Carroll's Third Grade Class

While observing Ms. Carroll’s third grade class, one particular lesson that I really enjoyed was sequencing. The lesson began with independent reading and was followed by a stop and jot post-it method. The students had the option of checking out a book of their interest and then they had to read independently for a warm-up. While reading independently, the students had to create post-it notes and write down the important events that happened, and then stick the post-it notes on the page that corresponds to that event. Having the students check out a book of their choosing can be motivational due to the fact that the students might feel more excited to read about a topic they enjoy, but if there is not a book that attracts a student they could feel forced and unmotivated to read. However, Ms. Carroll provided a wide variety of genres that could please all of the students, therefore having a personal library check out was a good method to motivate or “grab” the student’s interest before starting the lesson.
Carroll put the lesson plan up on the board to allow the students’ knowledge of what they will be learning and doing during their class time. The lesson of Sequencing was taught by having a group reading and discussion at the same time. During the story “Freedom Summer” Ms. Carroll would pause and ask the students questions related to the story to make sure that they were following along. After the story, she taught the assignment by a demonstration. She explained and showed the assignment using a different story; that way she did not give away any answers, but she provided a good outline of the