School Visit Observations
1. Beginning of class:
Class
Whole School
Grade 11 University
Physics
Grade 11 Enviro
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
Observation
-music plays, then announcements, everyone stops, O Canada
-intro of learning goals
-news
-garden project, brought carrots in
-intro to field trip, garden schools, handed out field trip form
-mini overview
-some housekeeping
-waits for them to be quiet
-says are we ready
-gave overview, tells them what they need to learn
-students write learning goals
2. End of class routines:
Class
Grade 11 University
Physics
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Observation
-let work on questions, and answered questions as a group
-summed up the rest of the week on the white board
-finished a question, then gave them free time
-talks about previous grades
3. Physical interaction of teacher with the space of the classroom:
Class
Grade 11 University
Physics
Grade 10 General
Science Applied
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 9 General
Science Applied
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
Observation
-front of class, back and forth walking
-went to check students individually
-close proximity, talked quiet
-used front and back of class
-stayed at front of class
-teacher was everywhere
-checks every group
-talks over students
-walks around classroom with iPad
4. Behavioural interaction or issues:
Class
Grade 11 University
Physics
Observation
-humour while teaching
-made comments of how hot is it outside, personal connection
-conversed & worked out a test date alternate for student on a hockey
tournament and sure he was going to study on the bus
Grade 11 Enviro
-welcomed student by name that was late
-open discussion with class
-questions about field trip
-check students phones to make sure there are using the calculators
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 9 General
Science Applied
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
-students well behaved
-has presence
-voice raises
-jokes around with them
-redirects when off focus
-nicknames for students
-makes them accountable
-asks a student talking a question
5. Transitions between topics or learning activities:
Class
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Grade 10 General
Science Applied
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 9 General
Science Applied
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
Observation
-seamless between students doing work and writing on the board
-trying to wrap up the topics
-tells them to change gears
-pushes them along
-has stations and tasks at each desk for students to go in between
6. Minimum two best practices:
Class
Grade 11 University
Physics
Grade 10 General
Science Applied
Grade 11 Enviro
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Observation
-used projector
-tried to include all students by asking them individually
-skipped steps so students could be more proficient
-students leave a bound duotang with outline at the front of class,
teacher can do a progress check
-no text
-didn’t lecture too long, as it can’t hold their attention
-letter to editor assignment
-writes down students answers on board from presentation
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 9 General
Science Applied
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
-talks about curriculum document for test
-explains how the inquiry relates to material
-promotes discussion
-makes sure they understand
-video lesson
-Khan academy
-self assessment
-takes picture of feedback
7. Effective/Ineffective components in the layout of the classroom:
Class
Grade 11 University
Physics
Grade 10 General
Science Applied
Observation
-equations colour coded at the front of class as posters
Grade 11 Enviro
-plants
-projects on wall
-front smartboard, back whiteboard
-side whiteboard
-100% quiz posted with name blanked out
-longer desks
-lab equipment along sides
-whiteboard
-long desks in pairs, small groups
-desks in squares
-four stations
-learning goals on board
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 9 General
Science Applied
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
-lab setup: sinks on each table, lots of space
-learning goals on board
-desks were islands
-lab supplies at back
8. Teacher dress, presence, composure:
Class
Grade 11 University
Physics
Grade 10 General
Science Applied
Grade 11 Enviro
Observation
-tshirt
-shorts
-dress shirt, black dress pants
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
-casual
-very enthusiastic
-shirt
-jeans
-polo
-khakis
9. Other notes:
Class
Grade 11 Enviro
Observation
-teacher introduced project to teach grade 7 and 8’s
-explained what they need for it
-collaborative effort with students on how they could construct the
project
Grade 10 General
Science Academic
-talked about exam
-looked at kids work then told them to write answer on board
-tells what is on the test, computer attendance
-jokes around about his tree drawing skills
Grade 11 Biology
Academic
Grade 12 College
Chemistry
-refers back on notes on specific date
-has stations for students to work in once they complete tasks
-students can bring in phones, and earphones