Classroom Focused Informal Observations “Look Fors”

Checklist 2010 – 11

Observer: _______________________________
Date: ______________ Time: ______________ Grade:________________ Subject:
_______________

1. Focus on Curriculum 2c. Identify research-based instructional

strategies:
1a. What is the learning outcome for the lesson? Identifying similarities and
differences
________________________________________
________________________________________ Summarizing/note-taking
________________________________________ Reinforcing effort/recognition
________________________________________
Practice
________________________________________
Nonlinguistic representation
1b. Learning outcome is evident to and understood by Co-operative Learning
the students (select one)
Setting objectives/providing
feedback
Evident
Generating/testing hypotheses
Not evident
Cues/questions/advance
Unable to determine organizers

2. Focus on Instruction 2d.Evidence of Critical Inquiry:

Criteria for the activity is evident
2a. What is the teacher doing?
Are students aware of the criteria
Facilitating/Guiding Practice
Students involved in the
Leading Discussion/Q & A
development of the criteria
Providing Information/Directions Are students using the criteria as
Modeling the basis for a judgment and
reflection
Lecturing -------------------------------------------------------------
2b. What are the students doing? Critique the piece
Kinesthetic activities Judge the Better or Best
Listening Decode the Puzzle
Reading Rework the Piece
Speaking Design to Specs
Observing/Viewing Perform to Specs
Writing
3. Levels of Student Work
Using Media/Technology
Determine level(s)of student work and
Hands-On Experiences questioning :
Solving Problems Recalling information (Knowledge)

Classroom Focused Informal Observations “Look Fors” Checklist 2010-11 September 8, 2010
 Level 1
Sharing Ideas/Presenting
Understanding Information
Collaborating in a Group or with a Partner
(Comprehension) Level 2
Using information in a new way
(Application) Level 2

Breaking down information into parts 5. Focus on Assessment (Summative,

(Analysis) Level 3
Putting information together in new
ways (Synthesis) Level 3
Making judgments and justifying
positions (Evaluation) Level 3
4. Focus on Classroom Environment
4a. What do you hear?
Engaged conversation on Outcomes/Learning
Formative, Diagnostic Evaluation)
5a. What is the teacher doing?
Providing exemplars
Setting Criteria/Rubric
Providing descriptive feedback
Evaluating a presentation, project/product
Conversing with student(s) to assess
learning

Quiet Observing student(s) to assess learning

Teacher Talk Testing/Giving quiz

Student Learning Questions 5b. What are students doing?

Creating Criteria/Rubric
4b. What do you see?
Individual student work shared Self-assessing using criteria

Criteria/Rubrics evident Peer assessing using criteria

Evidence of Differentiated Instruction Reconsidering test/quiz

Learning Centers
Technology

Additional Comments:

Post Observation Debrief:

Date: ________________ Time: ______________
Notes:

Classroom Focused Informal Observations “Look Fors” Checklist 2010-11 September 8, 2010