LESSON OBSERVATION FORM

To be used by the Pre-service Teacher when observing classes

Date: 07/09/15
Pre-service Teacher:

Tessa Hogan

Class Year: _4K__

Subject: _________

Aspect/s Under Observation:

Strategies used to keep students engaged and on task.
Pre-service Teachers Observations:
-

When introducing new concepts or lessons, the supervising teacher conducts a teacher led
group discussion with the class at the front of the room.
o Within said discussion, she engages student participation by asking them to
explain what they may already understand about the concept or topic that the
lesson focuses on. This approach evidently allows students to actively engage as
she probes the class to give examples that are reflective of their real life contexts

and experiences.
The teacher clearly deconstructs the learning objectives of the lesson so students dont
become confused and subsequently disengaged because they dont understand what

theyre doing.
Whenever the supervising teacher observes an effective approach displayed by a student,
she shares the approach with the whole class so they have the option to use aspects of the

approach to achieve their learning goal.

The teacher has quite an innate sense for when students are becoming disengaged or
confused. Evidently she senses/can gauge this through general behaviour or the apparent

level of understanding communicated through the questions her students ask.

If students do seem to be quite restless or disengaged, the teacher gets them to participate
in short physical exercises intended to disrupt this behaviour and or release any pent up
energy. Ive observed this to be generally quite successful as students seem to be better

able to stay on task following an exercise.

If students are behaving disruptively and preventing themselves and others from staying
on task, they are promptly reminded of the general expectations maintained by the teacher

and school. If necessary, the teacher will refer to one of the many expectations posters
-

placed around the classroom.

The teacher has also taken care to do a unit on growth mindsets. Evidently, this has
promoted self-regulated learning and engagement within the students. The students have
taken to the habit of regulating other students by reminding of effective mindsets for
learning.

Supervising Teachers Comments on Pre-service Teachers Observations:

Whole class probing for prior knowledge is an important aspect of gauging where the
students are on their learning journey with a concept. Focusing on behaviour within a lesson
is of the utmost importance because if the behaviour is not on track the learning is unable to
happen.
Supervising Teachers Signature: ___________________________________

LESSON OBSERVATION FORM

To be used by the Pre-service Teacher when observing classes

Date: 14/09/15
Pre-service Teacher:

Tessa Hogan

Class Year: _4K__

Subject: _________

Aspect/s Under Observation:

Questioning techniques to monitor student learning.
Pre-service Teachers Observations:
-

The supervising teacher performs a lot of probing and formative assessment and
takes great care in constructing learner profiles for all of her students. It is to my
understanding that she consults these profiles when grading report cards. This

becomes a valuable tool, as it can be used as supportive evidence for grading.

As mentioned in last weeks notes, the teacher gauges prior knowledge and
understanding by asking questions and expands on the answers that students give to

provide more information related to the topic.

o Questions are usually framed to inquire how students utilize or might utilize
-

knowledge or abilities in real life contexts.

Ive noted that the teacher avoids asking the whole class Now does anyone not get
it?
as a question to monitor student learning. The reasoning for this may be that she
understands that students who are struggling may not generally feel comfortable

singling themselves out.

When conducting a learning activity, the teacher will check for understanding with

regulated frequency, as students may become stuck as the lesson progresses.

When continuing on from a previous lesson or unit, the teacher will summarise what
has already been learnt by guiding answers from students, which also allows for them
to become re-engaged with the topic.

Supervising Teachers Comments on Pre-service Teachers Observations:

Direct as well as Open Ended questions are a valuable tool in the classroom. Also, utilising
the hands down rule is important. By using this strategy, it reminds all that they need to
focused on the learning because they can be called upon at any time. Knowing your learners
is important so you can pose specific questions to a range of students.

Supervising Teachers Signature: ___________________________________

LESSON OBSERVATION FORM

To be used by the Pre-service Teacher when observing classes

Date: 06/10/15
Pre-service Teacher:

Tessa Hogan

Class Year: _4K__

Subject: _________

Aspect/s Under Observation:

The use of ICT in enriching learning
Pre-service Teachers Observations:
-

The supervising teachers practices emphasise the value of incorporating ICT and modern

learning technologies with traditional classroom pedagogies.

Laptops are used as a research tool
o In one lesson I observed, the teacher guided students on how to use an online

database to find information on First Fleet Australian convicts.

The use of a smartboard and projector are incorporated within lessons.
o Engaging stimuli such as educational YouTube videos have been observed within
mathematics and literacy lessons.
o Episodes of My Place and Behind the News have been incorporated in social

sciences lessons.
o Songs are played within religious education units.
The teacher draws from various teaching resource websites and Pinterest to develop
engaging learning units for students.

Supervising Teachers Comments on Pre-service Teachers Observations:

The use of ICTs as a learning tool is highly engaging for the students and can provide
learning opportunities that they are not able to access with traditional teaching methods.
However, it can be difficult because of issues of resourcing, accessibility and issues with
internet etc.

Supervising Teachers Signature: ___________________________________

LESSON OBSERVATION FORM

To be used by the Pre-service Teacher when observing classes
Date: 19/10/15

Pre-service Teacher:

Tessa Hogan

Class Year: _4K__

Subject: _Maths/English_

Aspect/s Under Observation:

Strategies for enhancing skills in literacy and numeracy.
Pre-service Teachers Observations:
-

For some aspects of literacy (such as spelling and reading comprehension) students are
sectioned off into ability groups.
o This approach may have been modelled off the Joplin Plan in that students are
grouped heterogeneously for a majority of the school day, but are then grouped
according to ability for some learning activities.
o The teacher appears to use discretion in allocating who goes in what group
Avoids perpetuating deficit/labelling. This appears to be effective as students can
progress at a level they are comfortable with without feeling inadequate in

comparison to the rest of the class.

Quiet reading time is regularly implemented usually once or more a day.
The teachers literacy teaching style appears to combine authentic and functional literacy
pedagogies.
o In creative writing sequences, students arent creatively stunted by their grammar
and spelling skills as the teacher will get them to create their piece and then go
back later to correct it. This way, the students can analyse and critique their own

work as a reader rather than just a writer.

Each student has a grammar and mathematics workbook from which they can learn,
practice and develop skills. These textbooks are used in correlation with an explanation of

the focus concept which is taught within the first half of the lesson.
Educational videos are sometimes incorporated within these lessons also. The use of

visual and auditory stimuli generally peaks students interest in the lesson.
Timed skills tests in maths are used with the intention to motivate students to improve
their ability. It appears to be quite effective as students are very active in monitoring their
own improvement.

Supervising Teachers Comments on Pre-service Teachers Observations:

Literacy and numeracy are, in my opinion, the nuts and bolts of my job. These skills are life
long and need the most amount of teaching and learning time. They are the skills from which
students access all other curriculum areas.

Supervising Teachers Signature: ___________________________________

LESSON OBSERVATION FORM

To be used by the Pre-service Teacher when observing classes
Date: 20/10/15
Pre-service Teacher:

Tessa Hogan

Class Year: _4K__

Subject: _________

Aspect/s Under Observation:

Catering for individual needs and student diversity.
Pre-service Teachers Observations:
- The supervising teacher conducts PROBE tests which variate depending on prior skill

ability for more accurate assessment of progression.

Students can gradually build on personal knowledge resources without feeling overwhelmed.
-

Learning support officers visit class regularly to provide support for students with

learning difficulties.
The supervising teacher is very familiarised with each students behavioural patterns,

learning capabilities and learning style

o Anticipates/strategies the likely direction of the lesson prior to conducting it.
ESL support available for students
The teacher nurtures students who show an ability to exceed by not limiting their
learning; provides additional learning opportunities usually in the form of homework

tasks.
The teacher communicates with parents where they can assist in supporting their childs
learning needs and deeply considers the students life-world when strategizing learning
approaches.
The teacher makes a conscious effort to ensure that students with specific learning or
physical needs feel like a valued members of the class.
o The whole class walks up the ramp with student who needs to use a mobility
student.
o Nips things in the bud with behavioural problems when other students start to
isolate a student because of their evident differences.

Supervising Teachers Comments on Pre-service Teachers Observations:

Catering to the diverse learning needs of all students is one of the single biggest challenges
in being a classroom teacher. You have in your charge up to 30 different learning styles,
needs, backgrounds and somehow we juggle all that for the benefit of the whole and the
individual.

Supervising Teachers Signature: ___________________________________