Directions: A requirement to successfully complete Education 1100 is the completion of a minimum of

15 hours spent observing in a public school K-12 classroom. While observing you are to look for the
following indicators, provide examples, and reflect on your observations for each indicator. You may or
may not see all indicators listed below due to the limited amount of time you spend in your
cooperating teachers classroom. You are however required to learn more about each indicator.
Therefore you must have a conversation with your cooperating teacher to understand the indicators
not observed.

Classroom Setting
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Classroom Atmosphere:
Teacher- student and studentstudent interactions.

The instructor is really interactive with

her students and is always offering a
helping hand to each one of her
students. Shes welcoming, friendly and
useful. Whenever a student asks for help
or is confused, she explains it thoroughly
until understood, no matter how long it
may take.

I am very impressed by the way she interacts

with her students. She is very involved and
respectful of each one, unlike other teachers
Ive had that are not that interactive with their
students. Shes a teacher that children would
want in school.

Classroom procedures:
Groups, materials, supplies,
transitions, and, routines.

The students use their science groups

for most activities requiring groups, if
not assigned groups by the teacher.
They each have a book for each subject,
their own materials organized within
their own containers, use laptops for
math and also use white boards for
activities. The students do transition
from room to room for math, depending
on if theyre advanced or not. Each day
has a specific routine in which
everything is done in the same order by
the same amounts of time.

Groups and their learning materials were all the

same when I was younger in fourth-grade. I
think that its much easier to provide all
students with their own books for each subject
because its much easier to keep them focused
and involved, rather than just presenting
information to them by speaking. I think that
the transitioning from room to room can be a
little distracting and that it may also be causing
issues for future classes involving math. I think
that all of the students should be in one math
class with one general level so that everybody is
caught up all together and not all on different
levels of math.

Classroom behavior:
Expectations/rules,
monitoring, and response.

The expectations of all students is that

they listen, stay quiet while others are
speaking, share, be kind and be
respectful towards others. This class was
very well behaved and she seemed to
have everything under control with
classroom rules. If somebody is a little
out of line, they get verbal warnings
before further actions. There were not
many distractions within the classroom
other than the typical social butterflies
that speak too often.

I think that the rules are enforced well enough

to where the students know what is right or
wrong automatically because each student was
well behaved, except one but he has a special
need so that is different. I found that he could
be a little distracting while others are trying to
learn but everybody is friendly and accepts him
which is great! It makes me feel good to see
acceptance. There are also posters regarding
bullying, which I thought was a very good thing
to have since its such a problem at a young age
I feel. There is also a poster on kindness.

Classroom layout:
Arrangement of furniture,
resources for student use, and
technology integration.

There are tons of resourceful and helpful

materials throughout the classroom for
the students. There are several
bookshelves with mostly chapter books
with a few picture books but advanced.
All of the desks face the front of the
classroom, with six rows that have four
desks each. Theres also a desk in the
corner for when Anthony (the student
with a special need) needs to be alone
and calm down, which is behind one of
the bookshelves in the front left corner.
Theres also packets that are filled with
information on their literature and other
subjects theyre learning on the white
board for them to use themselves in the
back of the room. Technology has
definitely changed since I was in fourthgrade. There is now an overhead
projector with a magic marker board.
The students also each get their own
laptop for the year from the school to do

I think that the way the classroom is setup, is

affective. Its affective because its well
organized and by being in a class that
organized, youre also organized as well and
have a more successful learning environment. I
think that the use of laptops is a good thing
because not only are they learning materials
that they need in school, but theyre also
advancing their technology skills. By advancing
your technology skills, youre also challenging
your brain so that is a good aspect.

activities on and use learning programs

for grades as well. There are also
mailboxes that each student is assigned
for their work.

Teaching
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Communication: Learning
outcomes, expectations,
directions, explanation of
content, use of vocabulary.

Communication within the class is very good.

Students have actually improved from the
beginning of the year as an outcome. All content
is thoroughly explained by using examples and
situations, depending on what the material is
about. Ive noticed that a greater vocabulary is
used, which is useful for future communications.

I believe that communication goes

very well within this classroom I
observed for. The students seem to
speak more intelligently as well. I also
think that the use of a stronger
vocabulary while teaching, is a good
way to get the students to learn new
ways, but to also broaden their own
vocabulary.

Questioning and discussion:

Blooms Taxonomy and wait
time.

When the students are presented with more difficult questions, I believe that this way of teaching and allowing
Mrs. Boyce allows them a few minutes to think and reflect,
a child to really reflect and go over what they
then respond.
had just been asked or taught, really allows
them to expand their intelligence.

Student Participation
techniques

Some lessons were taught more as games or interactive

activities where students would work in groups or go up in
front of the classroom in pairs during education/learning
games.

I feel that the students are more eager to learn

because its more of a fun way, rather than
just sitting at their desk while the instructor
teaches a lesson.

Activities and assignments

Activities and assignments are given throughout the entire

day. The students are steadily completely worksheets
throughout the day with the material theyre learning.

I think this is a good way for the students to

learn. It not only allows the students to test
their knowledge on their own without help right
away, but also challenges them which I
think is good.

Grouping of students: Whole

class, small groups, pairs,
individual, etc.

There are twenty-four students in total. They do break up into

groups of four to five, usually for science or math.

I think that its a good sized class. Not too big

or too small, just right to be able to allow the
students to really focus and not become
distracted. Help is also easier to reach for them
because the teacher is able to get around the
entire classroom. If the class was made up of
forty-some students, it would be harder because
more attention is needed.

Materials and resources:

Primary and secondary
sources

They all have their own books, art supplies, desk, laptops, and Its a very well equipped school and I think that
learning resources.
its very good to have all of those things,
especially technology because that it something
thats growing and is becoming a huge role in
our lives now a days.

Pacing: Gaining attention,

transitions, reflection, closure,
wait time, etc.

The students take a minute or two to all become quiet when

the teacher is calling for their attention but they listen and she
has great control over them.

I believe that the class is well disciplined and

they listen very well towards their instructor.

Improvisation: Making
adjustments, flexibility based
on the student needs

There is one student with special needs and management is

adjusted to also fulfill his needs as well.

I was very impressed by the teacher and how

she makes time for every student, even one who
really needs much more attention and direction
than the others.

Student interests, culture, and

other diversity incorporated

Class is mainly white/caucasian, with a few Korean.

Diversity is not really something you can see in

this class. Its not very diverse.

Lesson Planning
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Concepts, skills,
prerequisites, and
pedagogy

Covers main concepts and explains them thoroughly to the

students. She is very well organized as well when it comes
to planning the days.

The main concepts of every subject, whether its

math, social studies, english, or science, its all
explained thoroughly and is grasped well by the
students. I was impressed.

Student abilities,
interests, learning
styles, level of
knowledge, culture,
background, and
needs.

Some students seem like theyre more of visual learners,

while others seem more hands-on. The culture, background,
and needs of these students are very similar given that
this school is in a town of wealth.

I was not too shocked by how the culture and

backgrounds were very similar because I grew up in
Lemont and also went to all of the schools there. I
wouldve liked to see a little more diversity,
cultures, and backgrounds.

Learning outcomes
N/A
linked to standards
within and outside of
the discipline that are
able to be assessed
based on a diverse
population of students.

N/A

Classroom Resources
to enhance the
teachers professional
knowledge and
appropriately
challenging student
materials that fit the
learning needs of all
students.

There are more difficult lessons created and more difficult

resources available but the students are able to access
everything in their own way.

I think that because the students are able to access

the same thing in many different ways, it is very
beneficial towards each individual because it wont
matter what theyre learning style is because theyre
able to attain information in many forms that are
given to them.

Learning activities
Critical thinking problems are brought up a lot through all
subjects.
sequentially designed
to engage and advance
students learning.

By using critical thinking problems, youre allowing

the child to really use their minds and express their
outcomes.

Intentionally organized There are groups for the regular levels and advanced levels
of learning for math. Groups are also formed during science
student groups
lessons to focus on collaboration and working with others.
created to support
learning.

I have always learned much better by working in

groups or with other people because it not only
allows yourself to share your own ideas and get
feedback, but is also allows students to share
opinions and answers, when solving problems or
going over materials. Another student might be able
to clarify something that another could not.

Formative and
summative
assessments aligned
to learning outcomes
that drive planning
and instruction.

Creation of lesson planning in order to monitor student

I think its efficient way to really get results from
learning that provides ongoing feedback that can be used by every student and helps monitor their progress
the instructor.
individually.

Assessment
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Criteria expectations

I was well familiar with the material that would be taught in a

fourth-grade classroom.

I would say because of how familiar I was with

it because I want to teach fourth-grade, that my
expectations were not very far off from what I
had expected beforehand.

Monitoring student learning

Observation of the daily routine throughout the classroom.

I found this observation experience to be very

rewarding and very exciting. I am not only
more enlightened by this experience, but also
very more eager to graduate and help create
futures for my future students.

Feedback: Timely,
substantive, constructive,
teacher proximity, provides
guidance.

Everything was done in a respective time and was well

organized with lessons for each subject. For example, from
11:00am-12:00pm was literature time, 12:30-1:15 was for
science, 1:15-2:00 was for social studies, and 2:00-3:05 was for
math. Students in regular math would go to certain classrooms,
while Mrs. Boyce held the advanced math class in her room.

I thought that the day was very well organized

and the students knew exactly when it was time
to transition. The teacher was very well
organized and knew how to manage her time
very wisely. It was an effective classroom in
my opinion.

Student participation: Selfmonitoring.

Students would constantly try and engage themselves while

learning about new things or reviewing certain lessons. Not
many shy students or students who withdrawal themselves.

I was very surprised to have seen so many

students speaking up and really getting into the
lessons themselves. It was really shocking
because I remember there were also just the
more outgoing students (which were only a
handful) that would actually become involved
during class and raise their hands.

Formative Assessment

The instructor would keep track of each students progress in a

system on her computer that she uses with all of their
homework, quizzes, projects, tests, and grades.

I noticed that she would call students up to keep

in check with them and their progress. Many
students were actually progressing, rather than
not so that was good to see and hear!

Summative Assessment

Everything is kept in every students file and is then released,

like report cards annually.

Its well organized and I think that it is good for

the students to see progress or what progress
they werent able to make by the end of each
term.

Grading system: Traditional,

standards-based

They use traditional. (A+,A,A-,B+, etc.)

Im used to this, so I wasnt concerned or

shocked.

Teacher Interview

1. What ways do you find yourself reflecting on your teaching practices? For example do you think your conversations with your
colleagues, journal writing, examining student work, conversations with your students, or just thinking about your teaching for the
day?
Three mornings a week the 4th grade team collaborates to discuss past and future lessons. We evaluate what strategies went well and what
did not.
2. How does reflecting on your teaching practices drive your future instruction?
This method gives us a deeper knowledge and understanding of our students.
3. What method do you use to keep track of grades and homework completion?
I use an online grading program called Engrade. It averages grades and I am able to print missing assignments for students.
4. What assessment does the district use to determine a students ability at the beginning of the year and what assessment is used to
determine progress? Do you use any other forms of classroom assessment to determine academic progress?
We use MAP at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. I can use the DeCarte to target areas that need to be strengthened.
5. Can you tell me about the Rti process in your school district? What is the process to refer a student for special services?
If teachers have concerns we bring up a student to our SST services. We meet and they give strategies to target weak areas. We reevaluate 4
to 6 weeks.
6. What methods would you suggest for keeping yourself organized? For example what method do you use to keep track of parent
contact, when students turn in permission slips, lunch count, attendance or picture day money?
I have a check list with students names on it for permission slips, money, etc. I keep a file folder on each student with special att.
needed/parent contact/etc.

7. How do you keep your students families informed about what is going on in the classroom or with their individual student?
We have a District 113A webpage and each teacher has their own page on that site. Also, email is great for a quick message.
8. Do you encourage parental participation and volunteering in your classroom? Why or why not?
I have 3 parent volunteers this year that help in the classroom, either one or two times a week.
9. Do you meet with your grade level partners on a regular basis? Do you have collaborative plan time built in your schedules? What
is discussed at these meetings? Is this district or school mandated or do you find time to collaborate yourselves?
Yes, three mornings a week. This is mandated. We discuss lesson plans, problem solve, and reflecting.

10. What clubs, coaching, or committees are you involves in beyond the school day? Does you district compensate employees for
sponsoring, coaching, or committee membership? Is there a minimal requirement?
I am on our math curriculum committee, social club, and our Rebel (title 1) after school program. Teachers are compensated.
11. Does your administrator solicit feedback from teachers on school initiatives? What kind of initiatives are taking place in your
school right now?
Our administrators are always coming up with initiatives for teachers and students.
12. How do you stay current on hot topics in education or best practices?
Taking classes every couple of years! Very necessary!

13. Do you attend workshops or participate in professional development activities? What are the most recent ones you have
participated in?
This year I have taken the following, Math Games Meaningful, Intro to NGSS, Part 2 NGSS, Engineering Design Projects, and
Beyond School Walls.
14. Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so, which ones?
AFT

15. Are you on any leadership teams or are you in charge of any committees? What are your roles on these committees?
Math choosing and new curriculum to align with CC.
16. If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give me?
1) Dont sweat the small stuff with kids.
2) Parents love their boy/girl and want to know you have their best interest.
3) Each child is unique, so find something to love about each.
4) Laugh with your students, they are amazing.
17. What is the most rewarding thing about being a teacher?
Every day walking in the door and knowing I get to be with these awesome kids for the whole day.
18. What is the most challenging this about being a teacher?
Finding each individual learning style (but so worth the search).