Learning Environment

• flexible desk arrangement to allow transition among large group, small group and independent activities
• manipulatives/math tools (including the calculator) readily available and used
• instructional and/or student work displayed

Instructional Delivery: A mathematics class that consists of:

a beginning

• student objectives based on Mathematics Content Standards
• varied drills, warm up, and/or mental computation
• efficient homework check

a middle

• instruction based on student objectives
• students actively engaged in problem solving, reasoning, communication and making mathematical connections
• a variety of instructional strategies used to promote learning
• effective pacing and monitoring of student progress
• integration of assessment and instruction
  formative assessment aligned with student objectives and content standards using a variety of formats:

  Selected Response grades 3-8
  Constructed Response
  

  BCR (brief constructed response) grades 3-8
  ECR (extended constructed response) grades 5-8
  

  Student Produced Response (SPR) grades 7-8

an end

• summary of day's lesson by students
  (orally or in writing, using the language of mathematics)
• meaningful homework assigned

The largest amount of time should be spent on the middle of the lesson.

Overall Climate:
The classroom was positive and well managed. Students were active members of the class by contributing to the discussions and asking questions. Students were engaged in rigorous instruction. Students used reflective thinking. Learning was evident.