OBSERVATION TOOLS
Academic Oral Output Student Observation Tool
Symbol
Oral output should have or be
Notes
Clear, original, & whole messages
focused on lesson objective and
disciplinary thinking
Ideas are organized and sentences
are logically linked
Uses target language (e.g.,
language of text(s))
Uses appropriate intonation,
stress, emphasis, pauses, and
nonverbal cues (eyes/body)
Constructive Conversation Student Observation Tool
Symbol
Interactions should have or be
Notes
Focused on learning objectives
(language, thinking, content)
Shared building on
and building up of idea{s)
(using: Creation, Clarification,
Fortification, Negotiation)
Original turns with two or more
linked sentences, when needed
Nonverbals (eyes/body) and
Norms (back-and-forth, etc.)
© From Zwiers, O’Hara, & Pritchard (2014). Common Core Standards in diverse classrooms: Essential practices for
developing academic language and disciplinary literacy. Stenhouse. | ALDNetwork.org | May be copied for classroom use.
Math Reasoning & Argumentation Analysis Tool
Symbol
Students should
Notes
Uses representations (symbols, drawings, tables, graphs, equations,
etc.) to describe the mathematical situation
Keeps track of the meanings of the representations and their units
(zooms out) (contextualizes)
Argues and justifies claims with the reasoning features below.
Effectively organize and link multiple sentences to clarify idea(s)
© From Zwiers, O’Hara, & Pritchard (2014). Common Core Standards in diverse classrooms: Essential practices for
developing academic language and disciplinary literacy. Stenhouse. | ALDNetwork.org | May be copied for classroom use.