Looking for sample teacher observation notes? Examples found online are usually badly-written and are of no use for teachers. But this sample classroom observation summary is different! It presents a thorough analysis of classroom interaction with positive comments and criticisms. Check it out!
My Classroom Observation Experience: Introduction
The career of teaching requires a lot of experience and practice. The experience develops creativity of the teacher. In addition, it leads to the effectiveness of the teacher. This experience is gained through personal activities and experiences. In addition, it is gained through observing other teachers in class and teaching sessions. In this light, personal experience takes a sizeable time to obtain and utilize. Therefore, young teachers observe the experienced teacher to obtain the skills that are used in class. In this light, a starting teacher attends a class in session and makes relevant observations. The observations are recorded in a DYC observation form. Afterwards, the teacher should write a summary of observations. These observations form a part of their experience. This paper will focus on an observational exercise. It will include the summary of the observations made in three different classes. The classes will include a 3rd grade math lesson, 6th grade science lesson and 2nd grade physical education lesson. The observation will include demography of the school and classes. In addition, the teacher will make observations concerning the use of theories and teaching concepts in class proceedings.
Classroom Observation Notes: School Demographics
Cornell Junior public school is a public school with a community basis. It portrays a strong spirit of cultural diversity. It has a population of 900 pupils who come from various religious backgrounds. Mainly, the pupils originate from Muslim and Hindu religions. The school accommodates both girls and boys in the system. It has 25 diverse languages in the system. These languages include Tamil, Punjabi, Gujarati and English. In the year 1959, this school was started where it made a quick progress. In 1998, the school obtained additional classrooms, computers laboratory, music lessons room, modern library and gymnasium. A school day starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m.
Classroom Observation 1
This observation focuses on the third grade class in mathematics’ lesson. The mathematics’ lesson will be considering the topic on polygons. The class will be handled by Bernice Ho.
Demographics
The class session was conducted in room 201 of the classroom blocks. There were three absent pupils in a day. This implies that the total number of pupils was 48. The class is on the second floor of these blocks. The class had 45 pupils. From this population, there were 20 males and 25 females. The class was split into Hindu and Muslim pupils. In this light, 28 pupils were Hindus while 17 pupils were Muslims. One of these pupils was physically disabled. In this case, the pupil relied on his friends for moving by wheel chair to class since walking was a challenge.
Classroom Observed
Mrs. Bernice has taught mathematics for the last four years in this profession. In addition to mathematics, the teacher handles science when necessary. She has been complimented for her content delivery. The teacher has taught in three schools since her graduation. In these schools, she has left a legacy of good performance realized in science and mathematics.
The class lasted for one hour. The lesson was divided into three parts. For the first ten minutes, the teacher made a brief overview of the previous lesson. That lesson was dealing with lines of one-dimension. The teacher introduced the topic on polygons and described the objectives of the lesson. In addition, the teacher described the learning practices that were involved in the lesson. Also, she presented two questions that they solved together. This evoked the prerequisite knowledge related to the polygons. For example, she asked one pupil to draw a three-sided figure on the blackboard. They drew irregular shaped figures on the blackboard.
Therefore, she started explaining the concept of polygons. The second part of the lesson took thirty minutes. In these thirty minutes, the teacher aimed at helping pupils in identifying regular polygons according to the number of sides. Therefore, she conducted an exercise for making a polygon monster. First, she demonstrated and asked them to make on their own. Afterwards, she gave an exercise to the pupils. The exercise needed pupils to draw various regular polygons alongside their names. In the final part of the session, the teacher used twenty minutes. In this part, they would draw the polygons on the blackboard. The teacher would select some pupils and order them to tackle question on the blackboard. The ones who got it right would gain the class participation points. These points were considered in choosing the pupils attending the mathematics tour at the end of the term.
Positive Strategies
- Before she started the lesson, the teacher reminded pupils about what they had learnt in the previous lesson. This gave the pupils some consistency. It enhanced much understanding and ensured a flow of knowledge from one topic to another. Also, he outlined the basic objectives of the lesson. This helped them to understand the goals of the lesson right from the beginning. This ensured that they remained focused to the objectives of the lesson.
- The teacher went around the class observing the pupils as they do the class exercise. She corrected those who made mistakes in the exercise. In addition, she helped any pupil who was seeking for help. This ensured that they enjoyed individualized considerations rather than general consideration. It ensured that all of them were helped at a personal level.
- The teacher incorporated an exercise of making a polygon monster. This exercise ensured that they participated in the lesson completely. It aimed at keeping them awake and attentive. In addition, the exercise made the topic practical and real
- The involvement of pupils during the class session was an essential strategy. In this case, they were called to give answers on the blackboard. If a pupil failed, the teacher complimented them for their courage and contribution. This encouraged all of them to give their answers on the blackboard. In fact, they scrambled for the chance by lifting up their hands with passion. In fact, each pupil was trying to lift their hand at an upper level than their friends.
- The teacher concluded the lesson by providing a short summary of the lesson. She summarized on the types of polygons and polygon monster. In addition, she portrayed the fulfillment of the lesson’s objectives and goals. The pupils who participated were listed and the record was kept.
Course Concepts Observed
The teacher incorporated various course concepts during the class proceedings that reinforced her effectiveness.
The teacher used the concept of cooperation. She divided them into nine groups. Each of the groups had five pupils. The group members were mixed in proportionate ratio of boys to girls. The groups enhanced the spirit of sharing among the pupils. This ensured that they learn to share among them. As a result, they do not always wait for their teacher for solutions. Instead, they learn to utilize their colleagues’ capability
In addition, he used positive reinforcement. In this case, she has made a program that aimed at appreciating those who participate in class and perform well in class. In this case, any pupil who participates in the class gains additional point. The points are considered when choosing those who would go for the tour. Also, the tour includes those who are the most improved regardless of their performance. This motivates them towards working hard and performing well.
Summary of Observations 2
This observation exercise focused on the sixth grade pupils in science class. During the lesson, they were tackling a topic on electricity.
Demographics
The class was held in room 113 in the classroom blocks. It was in the ground floor of the block. The class contained 43 pupils. It had 23 girls and twenty male pupils. Most of them were from the Islamic religion. Most of them used English as their language for communication. The class did not have any cases of disability. The class started at 1 p.m. and concluded at 1:50 p.m. This is about 50 minutes of learning session for the pupils. The class was divided into three parts. In the first ten minutes, the teacher made definitions of electrical terms. The definitions were to be used in the lesson. In this light, the teacher defined the instruments and displayed them to the pupils.
This enabled a smooth learning of the experiments that were done after the introduction. It ensured that they understood what the teacher was describing in the subsequent procedures. In the second part of the lesson, the teacher explained to the pupils about electricity circuit. Also, he drew a diagram of the circuit explaining the different parts of the circuit. Afterwards, he rubbed the diagram and asked them to draw the circuit alone. Then, he divided them into groups in which they connected the apparatus to make a circuit. In the last part of the lesson, the teacher gave short notes that summarized the whole lesson. This ensured that pupils can refer to the notes when revising.
Positive Strategies
- Definition of terms and displaying the instruments was an essential strategy for the pupils. It ensured that they were familiar with the instruments. As a result, they would not confuse the instruments in the procedure that the teacher provided during the practical experiment. Therefore, it facilitated a smooth learning process.
- The teacher went around the class observing the circuits made by the pupils. He corrected any mistakes and helped those who could not make one. He encouraged them to continue trying. This created confidence in implementing the knowledge learnt.
- Similarly, he incorporated group task during the experiment. The groups were made in such a way that the sharp pupils were distributed across the groups. This ensured that most of the groups succeeded in making the circuit.
- Class exercise was another crucial strategy. In this light, the teacher asked them to draw the circuits without copying from books or the blackboard. As a result, the blackboard was rubbed, and the books closed. This ensured that the teacher evaluated the point he would repeat and emphasize. In addition, it enabled them to understand better. In phycology, the art of drawing would involve the brain in a better way than observing plainly.
- The teacher motivated and inspired pupils during the class. He talked of the famous electricians. He gave the history of electricity and mentioned the related heroes like Thomas Edison. This enabled the teacher to create a lot of curiosity of understanding about electricity. It inspired them to be like the famous heroes.
Course Concepts
In his case, he used the concept of cooperation during the lesson. The teacher divided the pupils into groups. They made the circuits in these groups and helped each other in the process of learning. This ensured that they understood the concepts clearly from each other. In this case, it is easy to ask for assistance from their colleagues.
Another essential concept was application. The teacher gave a practical application of the theoretical explanations of electrical circuits. As a result, they interacted with the electrical tools at the personal level. This ensured that the pupils gained more understanding about the circuit than using theoretical knowledge. In addition, it is the best approach that can manage to provide knowledge for specialization. Therefore, it is the surest way to producing competent professionals in the job market in the future.
Summary of Observations 3
This observation focuses on the second grade in the Cornell School taking their physical education. The teacher involved was called Joe Taggart.
Demographics
The class comprised of 33 pupils. Eighteen of them were girls while fifteen were boys. Almost all of them used English for communication. They were a mixture of Muslim and Hindu pupils. However, there were many Hindus in the population than Muslims. The class did not have any disabled pupils.
Classroom Observations
It took place in the playground of the school. The teacher was training them on stretching techniques. First, the teacher instructed and directed them in various stretching techniques. He instructed for the first twenty minutes and then asked them to practice on the techniques. He helped some of them to carry out the various techniques. He encouraged them who discovered new ways of stretching. In some cases, he called upon the pupils who discovered such methods to show others.
Positive Strategies
- The teacher gave instructions and then asked them to do the practice. In this case, he did not allow any pupil to do the practice before he instructed. This ensured that they understood what they needed to do before they practice the techniques.
- He asserted that all of them must cut their nails before practicing with their colleagues. This ensured that they did not hurt each other physically.
- Also, he gave some glucose to those who did a good practice. This motivated them to practice with passion. To the pupils who did not do it well, the teacher encouraged them. He always told them that they were almost doing it well. This encouraged them to add much effort. It ensured that all of them felt appreciated.
Course Concepts
The teacher used application during the lesson. The teacher portrayed the techniques and allowed them to practice on them. This ensured that they applied theoretical knowledge.
Moreover, he used the self-discovery concept. He encouraged those who discovered additional methods of stretching. In this case, he gave them a chance to show others.
Sample Classroom Observation Summary: Conclusion
The above paper has described the various observations that were done in the three classes. It has provided the demographics of the three classes and analyzed the positive concepts and theories that were used in the three classes. Therefore, it is an all-inclusive analysis.