LTHS Professional Appraisal System

Formal Observation Reflection Form

Certified staff member is to complete this and bring it to the post-observation conference.
Certified Staff Madeline Morris Department LAD Division Toby Casella
Member Administrator

Date of Nov. 3, 2022 Class IPC Period 7th

Observation

1. As I reflect on the lesson, to what extent were students productively engaged?

During the lesson, an indication to me that the students were productively engaged was observing
them focus on their independent notetaking at the start when they were instructed to. While the
students were working I observed a high level of engagement - for me it was very hands off and it
was completely up to them how they tackled the activity. When students were given their task as
a group and jumped into action to begin organizing the “leaves'' on their trees, that was an
indication to me that they were productively engaged. Discussing with them that we had just
wrapped up a unit on collaboration and conflict gave them an understanding of my expectations
for their productivity as a group on this assignment. My classroom management procedures were
very clear, however, this particular class often has difficulty beginning a task and understanding
instructions (even if they are clear and in numbered steps).

2. Did the students learn what I intended? Were my instructional goals met? How do I know?
     

I believe my instructional goals were met by observing the outcome of each group’s culture tree
and what traits/examples they placed where. Something that I believe helped each student
participate with their groups was that they were using their own charts to complete the
assignment. This aspect of my goal was met because what they added to their trees was in fact
correct elements of visible culture and invisible culture. Additionally, by reviewing the sticky note
exit slip on my door after the students left, I could see that they not only understood what these
types of culture are but they were also able to apply it to their own identities.

3. If I had the opportunity to teach this lesson again to this same group of students, what would
I do differently? Why?      

If I had the opportunity to teach this lesson again I would absolutely place the students in different
groups. Knowing which students are productive on their own and which ones need more peer
support, I would have decided to break them up differently. I also would have tried to divide up
time differently and have shortened some things or removed a couple steps in order to give my
students more time to reflect on their progress post-activity. I would have liked to have had more
of a discussion afterward.
 4. Which professional competencies do I feel the lesson addressed well?      

1b – Demonstrating Knowledge of Students: I recognized that this group of students works the best
when they are standing up around the room. I tried to give them an activity where time was
divided appropriately to give them time for independent, partner, and group work. While rotating
around the room, I also knew which students would need extra prompts and support.

2a – Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport: By providing clear guidelines for the type of
group work I was looking for and connecting their ability to work productively together back to
our unit on Conflict & Collaboration, I believe this lesson encompasses this professional
competency. The students were respectful towards each other when developing their lists as a
team of Big C-Little C culture items as well as deciding what the place where. I also think from the
first day of our class together I focused on developing an atmosphere where my students could feel
supported and accepted.

3c – Engaging Students in Learning: Students were enthusiastic about the activity itself, and that
greatly contributed to their ability to remain engaged throughout the class period. The students
facilitated their own group work once they had the instructions, which in turn helped them take
accountability. During this lesson students were able to dig into their understanding so far of
culture together, which connects to the overall goal of the lesson.

5. Which professional competencies do I feel need further focus in this lesson and in future
lessons?      

3d – Using Assessment in Instruction: While I feel I was able to gather if the students grasped an
understanding of how culture can vary between things we see outwardly and things we might not
see, I always feel like I could have a more clear way of assessing their individual knowledge. Part of
how I could do this was having made the exit slip more formalized with their names on it so I could
sort through specifically who understood the lesson and who didn’t.

     
____________________________________________________ __________________
Signature of Certified Staff Member Date

____________________________________________________ __________________
Signature of Division Administrator Date

cc:
● Certified Staff Member
● Division Administrator
● Building Administrator
● Human Resources File (original)