Degree to Which Teacher Is Employing Direct Instruction (Circle Number)

Classroom Observation Template

School: York Country Day School

Teacher: Mrs. Lease Grade/Subject: 1st Grade

Class Size (est.): 11 students, 6 girls 5 boys

Observer: Laken Fritz Date: 03/14/12

Degree to which teacher is employing direct instruction (circle number): 1. Low/None (Students are working independently and/or in student groups) 2. Medium (Some teacher direction of the entire class, but half or more of the time as above) 3. High (Teacher-directed instruction. Lecture, presentation, etc.)

Brief Description of Classroom Activity/Lesson: There is only one classroom for each of the grades from 1st through 5th grade. There were 2 sets of 6 desks and each pair was facing each other, so they had partners to look at. There were color poster around the room and lots of labels and bins. Each student got their own cubby for their work. Today they were doing a lesson on reading, writing, and science together.

Student Groupings (single, small, large, etc.) and Interactions: The room consisted of 2 sets of 6 desks but able to hold up to 18 students. They did a lot of activities together then were to ask partners how they did.

Technology (hardware and software) and/or Instructional Materials In Use: There was a TV in the room, but they did not use it while I was there. They use a lot of hands on activities and the teacher hand binders and books for lessons.

Number of Computers in this Classroom: 1 computer for the teacher, and the students did not use it.

Other Notes: For example, are use of lesson plans and use of academic/learning standards evident? How is the room arranged? What does the daily schedule look like? A lot of hands on activities and moving around. The class talked colaboratly the entire time except when asked to work quietly. The kids had very good problem solving techniques, since the school is based more on the science end. There were lesson plan books for each subject that the teacher made or got from the head of the school. She also added in the Mind-Up Curriculum which is a book with activities in each area of subject and has good quality lessons in it. It is something extra the teacher likes to give her students.

Classroom Management Techniques: Classroom Rules, Routines, Procedures, Adaptations/Accommodations, Teacher Prompts/Cues, Reinforcement of Appropriate Behavior, Redirection of Inappropriate Behavior, Teacher-Student Relationship

The classroom rules were told out loud if a child was not showing appropriate behavior. The kids know the routine they have during the day. All the lower school has a 1, 2, 3 behavior method they use in the classrooms. Basically its 3 strikes of bad behavior and then a note gets sent home to their parents, and they move a clip each time when they have bad behavior. For when they go outside the teacher has a bell that cues them to know when to listen to her or its time to go inside. There are a lot of cues for the 1st graders so they know how to follow directions. She used a lot of hand clapping sounds to get their attention if they got too talkative. Overall, the students listen and respected her, and it was a good atmosphere.