1. Describe the teaching environment.
Large shop with all the tools and equipment needed to build basic and beyond wood projects. Many work benches providing work space for students aside from atop power machines. Main classroom area separate from shop space allowing a focused and less distracting environment for classroom work and lecture. Also there were many side rooms for storage of tools, projects, wood, and a room set aside for finishing.
2. Describe what students were doing.
Some students in the class remained in the classroom to retake the safety test (a requirement of 100% is needed in order to use the equipment in the shop). Other students were scattered throughout the shop working on cutting and assembly of drawer rings for the end table they were assigned to build. Another class in a separate period worked on turning a foot massage on the lathe.
3. Describe students attitudes.
By the looks of things I would say that the students stuck in the classroom retaking the safety test weren't too happy, though they were willing in order so they could work in the shop. Those working in the shop seemed to have a clear idea of what they were to do and how to do it safely.
4. Describe teachers attitude.
Alert and aware of the classroom and it's students, though able to focus specific attention where needed due to trust in the students. The teacher also had an assistant from the community volunteering his time, therefore allowing the teacher to focus on the specific needs of individuals and the class more easily and stress free.
5. Describe perceived teacher strengths.
Experience (plan for retirement in three years), routine and clear objectives in various classes. Safety oriented and conscience. Patient and understanding of students strengths, weaknesses, backgrounds, cultures...
6. Describe areas of possible improvement.
Keeping paperwork like his syllabuses up to date. Though he knows the projects all too well and the objectives of each class his paperwork was out of date due to various changes he's made over the years. Asked for teaching aids and syllabuses and only gave us one for one of his classes because the others were so old and out of date.
7. Describe instructional techniques/ teaching styles.
Independent Practice; Guided Practice - demoed every machine in class up to the point of our visit, as he demoed the machines and projects he completed the assigned projects with the students; Scaffolding; Positive Reinforcement; Organized and structure in most classes by having the students build the same projects.
8. Compare and contrast your teaching method and approach.
I really liked what Mr. Cherry was doing with his begging classes and turning class. He didn't allow students to build anything they wanted, yet rather gave them an assigned project so that they could use and learn the machines. Required the beginner classes before any advanced class where they could build whatever they wanted. Very safety oriented, which is something I have decided I want in the classroom/shop. Classroom management was ideal in the shop as he was able to create an environment that was safe and created a comfortable environment so that the students were confident. His demos were clear and simple so that all could grasp the tools or ideas being used or explained. Though I liked that all the students were assigned the same project, allowing it to be easier on the teacher, I would like to have maybe two or three projects students could pick from verse being limited to only one.
9. Discuss overall impression of teacher, classroom, students, learning effectiveness, etc.
Well organized; clear objectives; confident and in control; Students were on task and those that were stuck felt comfortable enough to approach teacher and ask for assistance; well understood class expectations (safety) and objectives; seemed that some students grasped the assignments and projects better then other yet all seemed to be able to accomplish the tasks given; Good student-teacher relationship...
10. Other comments.
I really liked how Mr. Cherry opened up his classroom to the qualified volunteer he had roaming around his classroom. In a shop class extra eyes and expertise is key in helping create and maintain a safe working environment.
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