Lesson plan critique

Lesson Critique Template

Subject: Math______________

Topic: Multiplication_________

Level: Primary 2____________

No	Area of Focus	Comments/Feedback
1	Comment on the GOAL(S) of the lesson (with reference to the learners’ ability, level & profile):	Goals of the lesson are not spelled out in the lesson. The learning abilities of the students and desired learning outcomes of the lesson have to be specified before the lesson commences. Furthermore, the learning outcomes for each group of students (HA,MA,LA) should  be stated clearly. while keeping in mind that the lesson’s goals drive the whole lesson.
2	Comment on the OBJECTIVE(S) of the lesson (with reference to the learning outcomes that are observable and assessable, aligned with the goals?):	Since the lesson’s goal is not even stated in the lesson plan, the objectives are not focused. This can result in the teacher being unable to explain clearly to the student. Furthermore,the teacher will be unable to manage her time properly. Thus, the lesson objectives will still not be met.
3	Comment on the INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES and use/choice of ICT TOOLs : Identify some instructional activities the teacher implemented; analyze the appropriateness of the activities to the goals, objectives & pupil profile. Feedback on student directed vs teacher directed activities and inclusion of dimensions of meaningful learning       c)  The suitability of the use/choice of ICT tools AND non-ICT tools to the activities planned.	(a) - Group work(group discussion) The pupils are grouped according to their abilities and this can facilitate learning as  pupils are given the opportunity to learn at their comfortable pace. For the second group work activity, the teacher suggested that the HA group will create a story and present their answers in various multiplication representations. However, a story may not be appropriate as the pupils may lose the focus on multiplication. Instead, the pupils can create a question instead, with guidelines provided. This way, it is clearer to see if the pupils have understood the concepts to be taught. - Presentation of PowerPoint slides - Sing along session The activity helps to arouse interests in students as a tuning-in activity. (b) It’s good that the teacher include student-centred activities such as group work. However, the teacher should assign roles for the pupils to keep them on task. Example: Having additional instructional strategies like “Think-Pair-Share” to facilitate active learning in the form of collaboration. The teacher should give more examples during the directed activities rather then only indicate grouping in fours. She should scaffold for the students and at the same time, the students should be given opportunities to learn independently and henceforth, enabling the learning to shift from teacher-centered to student-centered. This would create the environment  for self-directed learning.ya that c. For the lesson, the teacher’s use of Powerpoint is sufficient enough for bringing across the intended concept. The use of the mini whiteboards for individual students allow them to work on their own towards understanding what was just taught. However, the teacher could get each student to show how they have applied the lesson concept to the work so that even students from different ability groups are able to learn different methods of applying the concept.

   

No	Area of Focus	Comments/Feedback
4	Comment on the IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS (what could have gone well or wrong; some suggestions for improvement)	It should be reminded that these are Primary 2 students afterall and so they might get too involved in the game and so the teacher might have some problems in getting their attention back. Thus, the teacher must set clear time limits and rules before the lesson. A timer that rings  could be used for this purpose. Using the “odd one out” concept with students acting as little teachers may result in them not really understanding the concepts that are meant to be taught. Perhaps, even to the extent of the students becoming less interested in picking up the lesson goals.
5	Comment on ASSESSMENT  (Focus on the appropriateness to the goals and objectives)	While the teacher has mentioned that worksheets will be used for assessment, she has not mentioned if the worksheet contains questions that test on pupil’s understanding of the concept of multiplication, or if the questions simply test on the multiplication table.

Suggest how you would improve the lesson plan:
1) Identify the goals: Students will learn to understand the concept of multiplication based on grouping. They will also learn that multiplication is derived from repeated addition.
OR
Students will learn the concept of multiplication based on grouping.
Students will learn about multiplication using repeated addition.

2) Implementation:
   - Rules and time limit should be clearly stated before the lesson begins
   - A digital timer could be used
   - Students need to be briefed before the start of the activity on what would the activity be about and what to expect. Students should not feel lost even before the start of the activity. This is especially true as they are Primary 2 students.
  

3) The teacher mentioned in her lesson plan “Teacher will then call out, “Get in fives’. Pupils will quickly group themselves in fours.” This error  may mislead any other person who tries to conduct the lesson using this lesson plan given. Hence, it is important that the teacher edit her work carefully.