1

Informal observation of aaaaaaaa

Bell rings.
Desks arranged in two large sections that face each other.
~25 students in class already seated.

T shuts door and moves to front of room.

T: Good morningI need you to put phones away and Teacher pauses. Room quiets. I see
phones or headphones put away.

T: I am going to give you directions for about four minutes and then we are going to move to
summatives.

T goes to calendar and mentions the choir concert tonight. (Nice use of ritual here. I have
observed this in the past and students seem to benefit from this structure and routine).

T: Before I beginI need you to grab Teacher names the paper needed. Students take papers
out. Teacher holds up example.

T: "At this timeI want you to raise your hand as I ask you to tell me which summative you have
chosen Teacher identifies the test. 12 or so hands go up.

T: Please raise your hand if you are going to do collage hands go up. Room quiet.

T: Raise your hand if you are going to analyzegood job Andrea

T asks about one more choice. Nice push for differentiation.

T: It has been a long time since I have doneI need you to.no matter what you have chosen,
pace yourself todayno matter what you do, youll have enough time Teacher holds up
paper and explains what she needs turned in. Nice strategy to give and nice use of providing
comfort.

T: Those of you who have chosen a discussion.Youll need to grab a desk and quietly go out
into the hallwayokaygo now 5-6 students grab desks and leave quietly.

T: Those of you needing a collage.I need you to grab a paper. Students come up and get
paper. Transitions occur without issue.

T: The rest of youlisten to my directions carefully.This is the testdo not write on itput
your answers on the answer sheet.there are four sections.. Clarity in directions. Room
attentive.

 2

Teacher comes to one student and reminds his student to pace himself. He says okay. Nice
scaffold and maintenance of status.

S: Can we listen to music?

T: Nonot at a summative Student quietly begins his work.

T: Alright..timers goingwere until 41you guys have a ton of timeyou have 40 minutes
Room quiet. Teacher steps outside. All students in room working quietly.

9:58.
Teacher reenters.
I step out into hallway. The five students outside are set up in a circle. As I listen, one student
reads a question to the group and asks Okay, wholl start?

Another student says I will.

At this point, I leave.

Thoughts/Considerations/Questions
Excellent demonstration of directions at the beginning of the hour. When I left
classroom and area, all students were engaged in one of the different forms of the
summative.
You have established routines and norms.
I am wondering if I can send other teachers into your room to observe. How would you
feel about that?