PEER OBSERVATION FORM 2

Name Maria Reyna Hernandez Monjaras

Teacher observed Selline Branis
Date of observation March 10, 2014
School Lazaro Cardenas Elementary School Number of sts 33
Level of course Beginner Average age of sts 7

The following observation form is for you to reflect on the relationship of the teacher and
students, the teachers command of English, and instructions. When you observe this
teacher, please take into consideration what has been seen in the input sessions concerning
this information. Please observe a fellow EFL teacher and hand in this form with the
observed teacher's lesson plan to the Martha for the next input session. Thanks.

1. While you are observing the teacher, notice how the teacher relates to his/her students.
Comment on the relationship.

Based on my observation of Teacher Selline I truly felt that this relationship is very
professional and friendly. For example, the teacher is very punctual and well prepared and
doesnt just improvise. Also the follows her lesson plan completely and makes wise
decisions on implementing it. On the friendly side, the teacher is no over authoritative with
her students and keeps a relaxed environment so everyone is comfortable. To add to this,
the teacher also knows her students names and their interests too. For example, the teacher
was presenting adjectives and based her teaching on bob sponge which students totally
loved and it built excitement from that point. Moreover, in the grouping techniques the
teacher demonstrated how well she knew her students because she seem to adequate the
groupings to accommodate the mixed learning styles.

On the other hand, the students seemed well-disciplined, there was no disruptions
whatsoever during the class process and all of them were cooperating and getting the
activities done as instructed which was impressive for first graders. In addition, students
raise their hand too when they want to speak which left me very surprised. Furthermore,
students were very confident in the teacher, during the activities there was little hesitation.
Finally, students have trust in the teacher as they are willing to ask the teacher for help
without feeling embarrassed or intimidated by their peers. Students seem to be really
adapted to this teacher and have developed a good working team.


2. Now imagine what you would say to this teacher about his or her presence as a teacher.
Write exactly what you would say.

Teacher Selline, I would like to brief you on the way you carried out your teaching in this
class. First, I would like to congratulate for planning and developing such a successful
class, It was very evident that all your activities were very productive. Now I would like to
talk about your presence and the way you used it to communicate and facilitate your
students learning. To start off, your group control is admirable I was beyond impressed
with the way your students behaved during the class. It is evident that you set up good rules
and applied them in a timely manner. In addition, I have to congratulate you on your
professionalism since you carried out your teaching in a timely and professional manner,
but at the same time you were not too harsh with your students. Finally, your students
believe in you and respect you and that is one of the greatest rewards a teacher can achieve.
I just hope that you continue the way you are and continue to look for better ways to work
with other types of groups that could be more challenging.

3. Reflect and comment on the command of English this teacher has. What areas do you
think this teacher needs improvement in and what would you suggest that this teacher do to
improve his/her English?

According, to what I saw this teachers English proved to be impeccable in all areas.
Teacher Selline is a native speaker since she was educated in the United States and
manipulates good voice control and is perfectly fluent in her overall speech. I would
suggest the teacher to maybe adapt some type of sound variation to her reading since it
seems to lack that variation that children need. Apart from that, I have nothing but
admiration for her speech control and efficiency.


4. How did the teacher give instructions? Were they given successfully? Why or why not?

The teacher gave instructions by using modeling; she would demo with a few students and
then have them try on their own. It was functional as students were able to understand by
observing the teacher do the activity with another student and then two students doing it so
that seemed to clear up all the confusion. For example, when the teacher was having a
Pictionary game with the adjectives, she first set up the board and explained how to play
the game slowly. Then she demonstrated how to play with a pair of students as the others
watched. Finally, she put a group of students to model for the rest of the class which was
successful and then she divided them in groups by passing out different letters and they had
to group up by their letters.


5. How did the teacher try to motivate his or her students during this class? Do you think it
was effective? Why or why not?

The teacher used various forms of motivation during her lesson. She did really well by
praising her students when they did something right, but didnt overdo it. In addition, she
gave students stickers to students that were actively participating which they placed in a
special progress portfolio they have and they were very excited about that. One last thing
that I think got them motivated was her voice control when she praised them or when they
made mistakes I think that made a big difference in their overall motivation. To conclude, I
think her motivation techniques are really functional, and she keeps her students active by
allowing them to have fun in the activities and having a sense of humor too when its
necessary to get students in the mood of working. I think the progress portfolio is
something that could really benefit me in incrementing my students motivation since
students seem to work better when theres a price.

6. Additional comments

This is my second observation and Im starting to get more comfortable in the analysis of
classes. Im learning something new in each new class I observe and its really inspiring
and helpful to observe different teachers. I dont think that copying the way teachers teach
would be the best option for me since every teacher has a different personality, but the
techniques and activities can really enhance the way I carry out my teaching.