Classroom Observations Record Log

All the classroom observations were completed in a different grade level and during a different academic period.  One classroom observed contained inclusion special education students and another classroom contained a range of ability levels from gifted to EIP students.  The school has implemented Learning Focused School strategies and all classes are expected to implement strategies of Learning Focused Schools.  The use of Learning Focused School Strategies was evident during all observations.  Teachers often used questioning strategies as well as summarizing in their lessons.  In all the classes observed it was evident that academics drove the instruction.  The instruction was clearly based around an academic skills which was shown through the essential question which was posted in the room for students to continually refer to.

The school is also very focused on improving writing across the curriculum.  In all observations it was evident that writing is constantly being worked on through other subject areas.  In the 5th class students were solving math problems and then asked to explain their answer through writing.  This allowed students to work on writing skills as well as show if the student knows the concept by explaining their answer.  

In the Gifted classroom the teacher gave the students their assignment and the students went straight to work.  It was evident that the teacher had taught classroom procedures and had good classroom management.  In the 5^th grade class, there were some students that were off task throughout the lesson and the teacher never redirected the students.  While the students were off task, the teacher was working with a few other students and didn’t realize the students were off task until the end of the lesson when the students didn’t finish their assignment.  In the kindergarten class the students were doing centers during reading time.  The students knew exactly where to go and what to do for each center.  When their reading group was called they quickly responded and were reading for reading.  It is very evident the teacher has control over her class and has spent a great deal of time teaching expected behavior during center/reading time.