Post

Observation Conference Plan

Kim Mueske
July 2014

Greeting and set the tone:

Focus of the lesson: Wow! What a great lesson I watched yesterday. It was so fun
to see how far the students have come over the year in regards to having meaningful
conversation around a topic. Last observation you had mentioned you wanted to try
out a Socratic Seminar as a strategy to promote discussion about an article or
content you wanted your students to read. I thought it was a brilliant way to check
for understanding about their reading, while also giving students a chance to talk
and justify their thoughts about the topic.

***I left just as the students were transitioning back to their seats. Was there
any follow up discussion or insights later in the day that came from this
activity?

Teacher reflection on lesson: How did you feel about your lesson yesterday?

My observations:
Sense of community within the classroom (trust, laughter, fun)
Release of control to the studentsfacilitator role
Nice job stepping in and out of the conversation
Self evaluating and reflecting on the process
Providing students with an opportunity to give feedback to you and each
other
Students were honest, open and engaged in the learning (both circles)
Text evidence for discussion-students making connections to other projects
they could do this with
Socratic Seminar was very fluidcould tell that students had clear
expectations
Clarifying questions

***How do you feel you did when it comes to incorporating Culturally
Responsive Teaching, Sumsun strategies or Hatties High Return Strategies?

My observations in these areas:
Communalism: students were engaged in conversationspeaking and
listening
Realness: kitchen table talkjust like a regular conversation you might have
with someone. Ability to express their opinions based on an article they
could relate to.
Orality and Verbal Expressiveness: oral language and expressiveness was
very apparent from both circles

Clear expectations and rulesboth from students and the teacher

Great student and teacher relationship---could tell you had good rapport
with your students
Great balance of leading and stepping to the side of the discussion
Students were engaged, respectful with each other, worked cooperatively
and collaboratively
Students were reflecting on the process with teacher guided questions, as
well as listening skills (outer circle)
Students gave students feedback and they reflected on the feedback
Students had to interpret text and construct solutions for their discussion

Improve on/Growth area: Last time we met, you really wanted to focus on
engaging students in meaningful learning experiences and giving students a chance
to reflect on the process. What would you say is one area you would really like to
build upon for your next observation?

(Personal Style and Uniqueness/Increase Rigor)
**You did a wonderful job helping the students monitor the process
throughout. I noticed some of them just nodded or agreed, but I wasnt sure if
there was more to it for them. Have you thought about having the students
reflect about the process through a journal writing, poem, graphic organizer
or drawing?

**Another thought is getting students to formulate questions, rather than just
comments in the outer circle. How might you get the students together after
the discussion to formulate a few questions and closing statements for the
other group?

Additional learning/support: Which of these components would you like more
information about or more support?

Intentions for next observation: As you think ahead to your next observation,
what can you take away from this lesson and apply? What are you thinking about
from this lesson as you move forward in your instructional practices?

Closing and appreciation: Thank you so much for the opportunity to come visit
your classroom. I look forward to seeing _____ during your next observation.