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Developing a Keen Eye

Video Analysis Lesson Cycle

Explore this resource

1. Introduce

The developing a keen eye video library provides teachers and coaches with a rich set of resources to support the analysis of teaching with a goal of having productive and transformative discussions about ways to promote more ambitious teaching and learning in their mathematics classrooms. The introduction to each cycle includes background information about the lesson, the teacher, and the context for the classroom video recording.

2. Goal

Establishing clear and meaningful learning goals is an essential aspect of planning for effective mathematics instruction. Teachers need focused opportunities to articulate the intended math goals of their lessons as well as the key connections students need to make in order to achieve the intended learning goal. Math learning goals should be situated within a progression of coherent teaching that supports and deepens student understanding over time.

3. Analyze

Research shows that analysis of teaching is one of the most effective levers for improving instruction and student achievement (Roth et al., 2019). The use of short classroom video clips and keen eye protocols focuses teachers' attention on ways to promote students' engagement in mathematically productive practices and key moments when students' opportunities to achieve the intended learning goal occurred in the lesson.

4. Reflect

Reflection is an essential part of improving planning and instructional practices. No lesson is perfect and whether teachers are new to teaching or have been teaching for many years, learning and growth results from an ongoing focus on teaching from a learning stance. The final element in the keen eye video analysis cycle includes opportunities to delve deeper (optional prompts to explore) and hear final reflections from the teacher in the video.

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

INTRODUCE

Interior Angles of Regular Polygons

In this video, the teacher (Kathleen) introduces herself and provides some background knowledge about the lesson she was teaching on the day the video was recorded.

CLASSROOM MATHEMATICS PRACTICES

ANALYZE

Interior Angles of Regular Polygons

Video Analysis: Round One

After engaging in the “Which One Doesn’t Belong?” routine, students explore ways to break up different polygons in order to find the sum of the interior angles. This video features the first share out. Prior to watching the video, anticipate various ways students might decompose their shapes. Review the descriptors on page one of the keen eye template to support your video reflection focus.

Students develop strategies for determining the sum of the interior angles of polygons by dissecting them into shapes with known angles. This will enable them to discover a relationship between the angles and sides in polygons, with the ultimate goal of generalizing their strategy as a formula.

MATH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

ANALYZE

Interior Angles of Regular Polygons

Video Analysis: Round Two

Following round one, review the descriptors from page two of the keen eye template. What do you notice about the focus of these descriptors? Watch the clip a second time, now with a sharper focus on the mathematics and mathematical goal of the lesson. Identify key moments when students’ opportunities to achieve the learning goal occurred. Consider ways the learning opportunities could potentially be enhanced.

Students develop strategies for determining the sum of the interior angles of polygons by dissecting them into shapes with known angles. This will enable them to discover a relationship between the angles and sides in polygons, with the ultimate goal of generalizing their strategy as a formula.

EXTENDING OUR LEARNING

Other Questions to Explore:

REFLECTIONS FROM THE TEACHER

REFLECT

Interior Angles of Regular Polygons

Discussion Points