Observation

Today I observed Katherine in her online Zoom tutoring lesson with her Year 10 student Jasper. The main focus of the lesson was quadratic functions , particularly understanding how to graph parabolas and interpret how changes to a quadratic function affect its graph. The session also covered algebraic concepts involving perfect squares and completing the square.

Some of the main areas covered included:
- Graphing parabolas and understanding their shape
- Reading quadratic functions and identifying how changes to the equation affect the graph
- Understanding and incorporating perfect squares
- Completing the square in algebraic expressions
- Applying the difference of 2 squares with circles
- Working through questions of varying difficulty
- Encouraging independent problem solving and graphing practice

During the lesson Katherine guided asper through the process of interpreting quadratic functions and understanding how their equations relate to their graphical representations. She explained how the changes within a function can influence the appearance and position of a parabola, helping Jasper develop a stronger understanding of the link between algebra and graphing.

The lesson included a range of questions, progressing through different difficulty levels to reinforce her students' understanding. Katherine encouraged him to attempt drawing the parabolas independently before providing guidance.
This approach allowed him to apply what he was learning, and gave Katherine the chance to identify areas of uncertainty.

Katherine did not have her tablet as usual during the lesson, which caused some minor inconveniences when demonstration graphs, however she adapted well to the situation. Rather than drawing with the computer touchpad, she used Desmos to demonstrate the quadratics visually. This allowed her to efficiently present the content, without disrupting the flow of the lesson to slowly draw.

She remained flexible and focused on supporting Jaspers' learning throughout the lesson. It was an overall productive lesson, demonstrating her ability to adapt to changes while maintaining an effective learning environment.

Katherine's approach supported Jasper in developing his understanding of quadratic functions, strengthening his algebraic skills and building up his confidence to independently graph functions.

Well done Katherine!