2010-11 Focused Observation Form
Updated February 15, 2011
Look-Fors for Student Friendly,
Standards-Based Objectives
In the Classroom
 Student friendly language
 Written on board, power
point slide, on assignment
sheet, written in students
notebook/journal
 Written out and linked to
standard(s)
 Not a bulleted list of “Things
to Do this Lesson” nor a list
of pages to read or
worksheets to complete.
 Objective is stated and
revisited/restated during
the lesson
 Developmentally
appropriate for the
students to easily
understand the objective
 Simple Vocabulary,
Pictures for Primary
Grades
 Separate objectives for
each class/subject
Look-Fors for Student Friendly,
Standards-Based Objectives
Student Actions
 Students can articulate
Teacher Actions
 Teacher feedback to students or
groups
what they are learning
 Making connections between
and why
past and present objectives
 Questioning and
 Teacher
discussions between
states/restates/rephrases
students
objective and links objective to
 Evident in student work
activities
 Activities/written work reflect
the posted objective
Look-Fors for Student Friendly,
Standards-Based Objective
 Room to add more “look-
fors”
Differentiated Instruction
 Differentiation is the adjustment of content, process,
or product in order to meet the needs of students and
promote learning (Tomlinson & McTighe, 2006).
Research also indicates that differentiation may be the
achieved through the establishment of a positive
classroom climate (Tomlinson, 2003).
Look-Fors for Differentiated Instruction
 Scaffolding – content,
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process interaction of
product groups
Leveled questioning
Guided reading 1 2 3 4
Interest Centers
Targeted games, projects
and technology
Tiered assignments
Graphic organizers
Foldables 1 2
Study Guides 1 2
Varied homework
assignments
 Pre-assessment
 Chunking
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1 2 3
Assignment/Project
Instructions and Products
Fluid/Flexible grouping
practices
Leveled readers
Multi-modality: say it,
write it, draw it, do it
Use of Manipulatives
Book circles
D.I. Wiki – In-House
D.I. Wiki – Out-of-District
Look-Fors for Differentiated Instruction
 See Additional D.I.
Support Document on
Professional Development
Intranet Site
 Room to add more “look-
fors”
Formative Assessment
 Assessment is formative where it is part of an on-going
instructional process where teachers measure pupils’
knowledge and progress in order to inform teaching. It
is often referred to as “assessment FOR learning.”
 Examples of formative assessment may include concept
maps, questioning, journals, and monitoring students’
performance on homework, diagnostic tests and
quizzes.
http://www.sess.ie/faq/glossary-terminology-relates-assessment
Look-Fors for Formative Assessment
Quick checks target – key concept of lesson
 Exit tickets/slips
 Thumbs up-Thumbs down
 Multiple Choice ABCD Cards
 White Boards
 Electronic clickers
 T-charts
 Agree/disagree charts
 Sparkle
 Specific feedback
 Technology

Look-Fors for Formative Assessment
 Five Fingers
 Student learning log 1 2
 Stop light cards 1
2
 Student questioning
 Pre-test
 Think/Pair/Share
 KWL
 Conferences
 Whip Around
 Written reflection
 3-2-1
 Skill cards
 Misconception Check
 Self assessment
1
2
3
4
 Video taping
 Vocabulary Pictures
Look-Fors for Formative Assessment
 Room to add more “look-
fors”
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Focused Observation Look-Fors
 The Look-For list will be an evolving list that shares
potential “Look-Fors” during all Focused Observations
 Current list was created and edited by teachers at various
buildings, building and district administrators and teachers
on the CPE Committee.
 The list will be updated at periodic times during the school
year and will be a standing item on the CPE Committee
meeting
 The “Look-For” list is not a finite list and is designed to
grow and adjust as the year progress
 Next steps include providing exemplars and greater depth