Week #5: Tuesday, September 21, 2016

Danie Hesson, Williwaw Elementary

Formal Observation #5
My visit to Danies classroom found her partway through solo teaching a
reading lesson at the end of the day. My arrival was noticed but there was no
interruption of the teaching. Ms. Clem, the host teacher, was not in the
classroom. Danie was teaching a reading lesson associated with the districts
reading program. This involved asking questions about a realistic fiction story
followed by group/individual choral reading (This was the third day of lessons
with this particular story.) I also witnessed her daily wrap-up and student
dismissal technique.
My observation compliments were as follows:
Danie continues to demonstrate professional and positive interaction
with her students
She consistently cued students about behavior expectations
She also consistently cued students about academic expectations,
especially with respect to choral reading
Danie walked about the students while they choral read; at times she
gently touched a student on the shoulder or back to redirect their
attention
Danie successfully ignored a disrupting student with aplomb; she
neither reacted nor made eye contact with him, successfully defusing
his attempt for attention; I have noticed that this is a particularly
needy student and Danie dealt with this challenging situation perfectly
At about 3:20 some students were getting a bit fidgety; Danie notified
them that she would wait until they were ready; followed by this is
your strong warning, followed by thanking students who were showing
readiness
Danie modified the groups for choral reading, and noticed engagement
rates successfully (as determined during our post-observation coaching
session)
Once again Danie reinforced academic expectations right up to the end
of the lesson, which involved students individually completing a
workbook page
Danie explained the purpose of the workbook page, connecting it to
earlier learning
At the end of day bell, Danie quickly reviewed wrap-up tasks and got
students ready for dismissal; she reacted to a request from the office
and also individual students needs without a disruption to the activity
She reminded students of homework
The classroom was tidy and tables cleaned just before students filed
out by groups, warmly dismissed by Danie
My observations and related questions for self-reflection included:
Two students were at a smaller table; why were they there and what
were their expectations?

How can your facial expressions portray seriousness without

recrimination when admonishing a student?
The coherence of the students transition from choral reading to
workbook activity began to break down a bit; how did you see this
transition? What might you do differently next time? Was time
management an issue?
How can having wait-time after asking for compliance improve the
likelihood of that student compliance?
What kind of follow-up did you have for the student who was damaging
property (not sure what was being damaged)?
Your randomly sampled engagement rates today were: 21/24 86%;
20/24 83%; girls choral reading 12/12 100%; and boys choral reading
7/12 58%; what does this data suggest? How will this impact your
teaching?

My observation suggestions included:

Expect that the end of the day may trigger non-compliant behaviors.
Plan for specific, targeted expectations for this time and reinforce
positively and consistently.
Consider delivering a warning without bordering on it being a threat: If
I have to yell, its not going to be pretty.
Host teacher Patty Clem witnessed my post-observation debriefing. We
discussed the Early Report Form and fine-tuned Danies Plan of Action. The
form was discussed, agreed upon, and signed for delivery this evening.