Observing a grade 1 lesson
Jon Marks
June 11 2012
From
September
2012
The
Common Inspection Framework
will have just 4 grades:
• Overall effectiveness =
• Outcomes for learners (Success Rates,
LAT)
• Quality of
assessment
teaching,
learning
and
• Leadership & management (at all levels)
Some thoughts
• An ‘outstanding’ lesson is like a single
photograph of you
• It’s not you, merely a reflection of what
the camera observed
• The image was most likely selected by
someone else
Some thoughts
• An ‘outstanding’ teacher is one who
consistently delivers ‘good’ lessons
(and better) throughout the year
Ian Robinson, HMI
Key principles
• Observe and record what you see – it’s
all about that, not about what might
have been
• Don’t assume there’s a model lesson
which comes with a checklist and
template
• Lessons don’t need to conform to a
formula, nor to adhere religiously to the
lesson plan
What to observe....
Examples and evidence of the impact on
students of:
•
A safe and secure environment in
which students learn with confidence
and assurance
•
A lesson which is both inclusive and
seeks to explore
opportunities
to
discuss issues relating to equality and
diversity
Chinese proverb
Tell me – I’ll forget;
Show me – I may
remember;
Involve me, I’ll
understand
More philosophy .....
“I've learned that people
will forget what you said,
people will forget what
you did, but people will
never forget how you
made them feel.”
Our four key questions
• Was the ethos and environment conducive to
learning ?
• To what extent did the teaching engage and
sustain the interest of students ?
• Were subject specific skills, understanding and
expertise being developed ?
• To what extent are students
independent & effective learners ?
becoming
Key Ingredients
The staff-student rapport and the ethos in the
classroom evidently leads to:
•
•
•
•
Engagement of all students throughout
who display signs of curiosity
Exceptional learning taking place where
students are being clearly stretched
An unmissable experience
Students feeling secure and are happy
Key ingredients
• Effective planning
• Appropriate use of resources
• Activities where the teacher facilitates student
learning, not so much ‘sage on stage’
• Delivering skills and content essential for
passing exams
• Sharing the criteria for success at every level
The teacher needs to be
• Reflective - reappraising and adapting
• Resourceful
• Resilient
and should
• Raise the game
The ‘outstanding’ teacher will...
• Know all the students, their level and
aspirations
• Make clear what is to be learned
• Regularly check learning through skilful
questioning and the setting and
monitoring of appropriate tasks
• Have a confident
knowledge
grasp
of
subject
The student
• Is both engaged and motivated
• Is curious
• Is progressing towards independence
• Is developing resilience – learning from mistakes
• Understands what they are doing and why
• Knows what ‘good’ work looks like
• Makes significant progress with their learning
Good questions for students during a lesson
• What is helping me learn?
• What am I learning?
• My learning would have improved if....
Good questions for students
as part of homework
• What did I learn?
• How can I apply it to what I already
know?
• What do I need to know more about?
Planning an outstanding lesson
At what stage
are your
students?
Set a further
task to
monitor
student
learning
success
Test the
learning
through a set
task, clearly
explained
Lesson
Objective:
what will help
them
progress?
Plan an
engaging
activity
Hot Learning
http://archive.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=hotlearning
Hot Learning Simplified
Aspiration:
Setting high
expectations
Motivation:
Communication,
coaching,
feedback
Planning: Differentiation &
personalised learning
Basics: confident subject knowledge &
enthusiasm
An ‘Outstanding’ Lesson Summary
• Lively, fun, active session reference to
clear lesson objectives
• Very encouraging and supportive ethos
underpinned by excellent staff-student
rapport
• Genuine collaboration within groups
• More able students assessing & coaching
others
An ‘Outstanding’ Lesson Summary
• Lesson built on prior learning with good
understanding of technical terms & use of
appropriate subject language
• Teacher regularly monitors understanding
& development through listening, skilful
questioning, explanation and summaries
• All students are fully involved & making
excellent progress, as evidenced by oral
responses, note-taking & assessed written
work
What might help...
What might help...
Eddie’s Lesson
• http://archive.excellencegateway.org
.uk/page.aspx?o=eddieslesson