Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

Elementary Education Program

Formal Observation Reflection

Directions: Complete the reflection questions and submit your response to your observer prior to having a post-
conference to discuss the observation. If a conference is held immediately after the observation you will submit
your responses to the observer the following day via email.

Name: Mary Catherine Dobner Date: 4/25/2017

1. To what extent were learning outcomes appropriate and achievable to your students?
The students were fully capable of analyzing separate articles and deciding on a
connection between the two. They were also able to discuss their answers and work
with their peers to improve their original connections.
2. How effective were your instructional strategies? What changes would you make in
your instructional approaches if you taught this lesson again? Why?
I would have explained the discussion process better. The students did not fully
understand how to share their ideas in a constructive way. It was also a tough day for
the kids because of the Case 21 test and they were all on edge and were having a
difficult time listening to directions. I would have modeled the process with them if I
had had more time to work with them, so that the process would have been smoother
and clearer. The students did not completely grasp the sharing of information with
each other.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of your oral and written communication with students.
(Consider how well you communicated learning objectives, clarity of directions, use of standard English, quality of
questions and effectiveness of discussion techniques.)
My clarity of directions could have used some fine tuning. I was unable to convey
exactly how the discussion format would work in my limited time. If I had more time, I
would have modeled the discussion process and what they should get from it. If I had
that time in which to explain learning outcomes and format of discussion, I think they
would have gotten more out of the lesson if that had been the case.
4. Evaluate the level of student engagement in your lesson . (Consider how you presented the
content/skills, the activities and assignments for students, grouping of students, and structure and pacing of the
lesson.)
Each child had to participate because of the one on one discussion format. They had
3 minutes in which to share their ideas and gain new ones before it was time to rotate
and repeat with a new person. All students were engaged. I was inclined to facilitate
conversation at some points when students were unsure of how to participate, but as
soon as I intervened they became engaged again.
5. How effectively did you use instructional materials, resources, and/or technology?
Each student had their own copies of the articles to mark up and keep. Otherwise, we
did not use technology or other resources.
6. To what extent were your assessment strategies effective? What changes would you
make in your assessment approach if you taught this lesson again? Why?
My assessment strategy was very effective. Each child wrote their own paragraph
about the connection, and included supporting details that they found in the text.
7. To what extent was your feedback to students accurate, substantive, constructive,
specific, and/or timely?
 The only feedback I had time to give was directly relating to their connection
sentences and choices in new facts from their peers. I wanted to have time to discuss
with students all of their choices and paragraphs, but it was picture day and I only had
a short amount of time in which to implement the lesson.
8. To what extent did the classroom management and environment contribute to student
learning? (Consider your classroom procedures, your use of physical space, and the students conduct.)
I think the students were a little wary because of the new discussion format, and
because the six of them were with me while the rest of the class was with the teacher.
I think it made them feel a little on the spot because they were taken apart from the
rest of the class and were subsequently shy.
9. Did you make modifications to your lesson plan during the lesson? If so, what were
they and what motivated these changes?
Yes. Before the lesson I had wanted the students to restate what their partner had
said to them. Unfortunately, this was a little confusing for the students as they didnt
understand how to do that. Since this was my fault as I didnt have time to model, I
took that part out and just had them share what they wrote with each other and take
away new ideas.
10. Was your Teaching Behavior Focus goal met?
Yes the students successfully analyzed the articles and new knowledge that they
gathered to write put together synthesis paragraphs.