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Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

Elementary Education Program

Formal Observation Reflection


Directions: Complete the reflection questions and submit your response to your observer prior to having a post-
conference to discuss the observation. If a conference is held immediately after the observation you will submit
your responses to the observer the following day via email.

Name: Maddie Eriksson Date: 11/9/2017


1. To what extent were learning outcomes appropriate and achievable to your students?
The learning outcomes were directly aligned with the standards. The class had started
their biography project, and my lesson introduced the research note-taking and citation
aspect of the project.
2. How effective were your instructional strategies? What changes would you make in
your instructional approaches if you taught this lesson again? Why?
My instructional strategies were effective. I introduced the topic, asked questions to
lead the review, modeled the activity and then allowed students to work in pairs. If I
were to change anything, I would show make sure students understand which pages
they are doing/writing on before they dispersed into pairs. There was confusion on
where to take notes and I believe I could have been clearer.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of your oral and written communication with students.
(Consider how well you communicated learning objectives, clarity of directions, use of standard English, quality of
questions and effectiveness of discussion techniques.)
I included both written and oral communication. The doc cam helped to display the
book I was using and my packet so that students could follow along in the work. I
asked questions and allowed the students to ask them as well. Though I stated the
standards at the beginning of the lesson, I could have posted them in the classroom
for students so students could have a visual reminder of what they are learning.
4. Evaluate the level of student engagement in your lesson . (Consider how you presented the
content/skills, the activities and assignments for students, grouping of students, and structure and pacing of the
lesson.)
The students remained fairly engaged throughout the whole lesson. We had just had
indoor recess so I think they were antsy at the beginning but then once they realized
that I was modeling their own activities, they paid closer attention. The partners
seemed to work well together and cooperate throughout the note-taking process.
5. How effectively did you use instructional materials, resources, and/or technology?
I used the doc cam, my book and my packet to teach. I believe I used these all
effectively to show the material to the students. No matter what I was doing, the
students were able to follow along. I modeled how to properly use the book so that the
students could take notes and cite sources accurately in the packet.
6. To what extent were your assessment strategies effective? What changes would you
make in your assessment approach if you taught this lesson again? Why?
The assessment for this lesson was the citation page and notes in the packet. I also
did several formative assessments throughout the entire lesson. I called on students,
asked questions and check student understanding using thumbs up/thumbs down.
7. To what extent was your feedback to students accurate, substantive, constructive,
specific, and/or timely?
I responded to students accurately and quickly. I felt as though I was successful when
giving student feedback because I answered their questions and then provided advice
for how they could fix them. I have not provided feedback for their citation pages
because they still have more sources to record, but I advised students and offered
constructive criticism for the citations that I did see.
8. To what extent did the classroom management and environment contribute to student
learning? (Consider your classroom procedures, your use of physical space, and the students conduct.)
Although the students were wiggly, they still followed directions for the most part. I
recognized students who were doing the right thing and then corrected students who
were not. I asked for the attention of all students and waited until I had it.
9. Did you make modifications to your lesson plan during the lesson? If so, what were
they and what motivated these changes?
I made modifications to the lesson until I taught it. I made modifications while I
practiced my lessons, adjusting things that may have felt wrong or out of place. I also
made modifications after sharing my lesson with my mentor teacher and using her
suggestions.
10. Was your Teaching Behavior Focus goal met?
Yes I believe that I communicated well with students and answered their questions
with clarity. I answered questions as soon as they were asked and always knew how I
wanted to respond.

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