This document summarizes observations of two 8th grade social studies teachers, Ms. Davis and Ms. Webster, who co-taught a lesson. It includes artifacts and pictures from the classroom showing study materials used. It also transcribes interviews with one of the teachers about challenges in middle school teaching, classroom management strategies, communicating with parents, effective teaching strategies, and ways to motivate students.

1. Carver Middle School
8th Grade Social Studies
Cynthia Davis & Arlene Webster
(Joint Teaching)
Alexander Hardy
(Observing)

5. Artifact 1
Sheets such as these help students
with words they might not encounter
outside of a school.

6. Artifact 2
Sheets like these help explore various
levels of thinking and how to apply
them.

7. Artifact 3
Mini-Q’s such as these are helpful
magazines that enhance student
thinking with quotes from primary
sources.

9. Lesson Plan (6 Pages)
Due to scheduling conflicts earlier in
the year, Ms. Davis and Ms. Webster
were using a lesson plan for October
after they decided to teach another
subject earlier during that month,
instead.

10. Picture 1
Ms. Davis and Ms. Webster would
often sit at different points around
the classroom to better engage the
students.

11. Picture 2
Ms. Davis’ classroom was filled with
African art, in an attempt to help her
students regain some of their cultural
heritage.

12. Picture 3
Ms. Davis and Ms. Webster had
numerous guest speakers come to
class on Wednesday. They both set a
great deal of goals to help motivate
the class.

13. Picture 4
Ms. Davis kept maps in easy-to-see
places when giving her class surprise
questions or holding team contests.

14. Picture 5
Ms. Davis also had a painter write
inspirational quotes by famous
leaders to fill up negative space and
immerse her class.

15. Interview Questions
• 1. What challenges do you face as a middle school teacher?
• 1) The most challenging aspect of teaching for me, is motivating students who are unmotivated
and do not have parental support at home to complete their assignments and/or to care about
their education. It can be extremely frustrating when you give a h.w assignment only to have 1
student out of an entire class complete it. The lack of caring can also result in behavioral issues
within the classroom as well failing grades for the student(s).
• 2. What effective classroom management strategies do you utilize with your students?
• 2) Fortunately, I have always managed to have a pretty controlled and organized classroom. The
key to having effective classroom management is 1) Interesting lessons that do not allow a lot
of down time, being clear about classroom procedures and expectations and instituting
consequences for failure to adhere to said rules and procedures.
• 3. What forms of communication do you use with your parents?
• 3) I use several forms of communication with parents. In general though, I call, text and
schedule parent teacher conferences when necessary. I find that texting is the most effective
method nowadays. I text parents student's h.w assignments, positive comments as well as
issues that I may be having with their child.
• 4. What effective teaching strategies would be good to utilize at this age/grade level?
• 4) What I have found to be effective in teaching is to first hook them with an interesting and
intriguing question, that everyone can answer or contribute to in one way or another. Once an
interesting conversation has started, then I connect it to the historical topic/subject that I am
about to teach. Now, after that has been done, to maintain their interest, it must always be
presented on their level and restated in several ways that they are able to understand. I provide
modern day examples so that they are able to relate. Once the lesson has been taught, to
deepen their knowledge, I assign a project where student's can display their comprehension of
the subject matter.
At all times during teaching, humor and small challenges are effective. Students at the middle
school level love to compete and play games. If you can turn a lesson into a game, it tends to be
highly effective. Lastly, positive comments also tend to be effective. Call them smart, tell them
they can do it, tell them that they are smarter than you (the teacher), challenge/bet them that
they will not be able to come up with an answer, and/or have them all work toward a positive
goal such as a positive letter or phone call home or food.
• 5. What forms of incentives do you utilize with your students in the classroom to enhance
extrinsic motivation?
• 5) I think I actually answered this question in the above question. However, I will add, that I also
try to motivate students by periodically reminding them why they are in school to begin with
and how learning will ultimately get them the life that they want. I explain and we discuss, what
will most likely happen if they do not learn as well as if they do do well in school.