Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

Elementary Education Program

Pre-Observation Form

Directions: This form is to be completed prior to every lesson that will be observed by the mentor
teacher or university supervisor. It is to be submitted no later than 3 business days prior to the actual
observation along with your lesson plans.

Name:Christine Kim Date:November 5, 2017

1. What is the topic of your lesson?

The topic of the lesson is celebrating Thanksgiving Day.

2. Why are you teaching this lesson? What is your rationale for teaching it?
I am teaching this lesson in preparation for Thanksgiving Day. It is in alignment
with the first-grade social studies standards for students to learn about holidays
and compare them between cultures.

3. What is your Teaching Behavior Focus? Why did you choose this?
My teaching behavior focus is building classroom climate. I chose this because
the lesson is centered around students learning about different cultures in a
respectful way. I want to make sure I acknowledge all students unique
experiences and provide them with ample opportunities to share and express
their home culture.

4. Why did you design your instruction in this lesson the way that you did? Why did
you choose this way of teaching the lesson (e.g., Was the idea from a methods
course? From your mentor teacher? Another source?)
I originally got the idea from my mentor teacher because she mentioned a similar
idea that a previous student teacher implemented. I did some research online
and found a lesson from www.kinderart.com. I then modified the lesson to meet
the suggestion of my mentor teacher and so that it is best suited for my students.
I also got the wax resist idea from my arts methods course.

5. As you are thinking through this lesson, what do you believe will be the most
challenging part of this lesson for you when you teach it? Why?
I believe the most challenging part of this lesson will be keeping the students on
task and engaged. I am worried about this because the day that I am
implementing this lesson is during the science field day. The students will be out
of routine all day and because the lesson is at the very end of the day, I am
worried that they will not be on task. I am also worried about having enough time
to finish the lesson because of the field trip schedule and of the multiple
components of the lesson.
6. How will you know if your learning outcomes for the students are met
successfully?
I will know if the learning outcomes are met through observation. I will listen to
students during partner/whole group discussion, ask questions about their art
piece, and read their writing journals about their usual Thanksgiving celebrations.

7. How will your classroom management support the learning outcomes?

Classroom management is key in supporting the learning outcomes so that
students are engaged and on task. Because there are so many different parts to
this lesson, it is important that students are listening to the directions.

8. List 1-3 areas which you would like for your observer to pay particular attention.
Why do you want your observer to focus on these areas?
I would like my observer to pay attention to providing response opportunities and
using positive reinforcement. I would like my observer to focus on these areas
because these are important components of building classroom climate.

9. Is there anything else you would like your observer to know before the
observation?
No, I do not have anything else.