Classroom Observation Paper

Classroom Observation:

You will have the opportunity to observe Mrs. Betsy Schamber teach 7th grade science at the MadisonMiddle School. Her science class meets every day from 8:15-9:45am, and 9:49-11:18am, and every other day from 1:50-3:20pm. You will be required to observe her teach one class period. We will sign up for times in advance.

Paper on Classroom Observations:

Following your observation, you will write a paper. The length of the paper should be between 720-750 words. The paper should include the following:

  1. What happened? A descriptive paragraph retelling what happened in the classroom during your observation. The reader of your paper should be able to visualize and understand what you are describing.

II. Why? An analytical discussion identifying in what ways student learning was facilitated during the class session. Use your observations of the classroom to support your thoughts.

The following paragraph includes some questions for you to think about while observing.

How did students respond (verbal and non-verbal communication) to a particular task? Were the students engaged? How did you know that the students were engaged? Were the students evaluated during this particular period? How did the students perform on selected tasks? Why was a particular moment in the lesson successful? How is the classroom managed? How does the classroom management style facilitate learning? Who appears to direct the learning in the classroom? What types of questions are students asked? Do these questions generate discussion or do they close discussion? What is the flow of conversation in the classroom?

  1. Self-reflection. What do you see as the similarities and differences between teaching in a high school and teaching in the middle school environment?

Grading Rubric for Classroom Observation Paper

ELED 320

A

/ B / C / D / F
Content
(30 points possible) /
  • Descriptive paragraph is distinguished; effectively and concisely conveys subjectincludes relevant information (5pt)
  • Details/evidence provided in analytical discussion are distinguished; convincing and compelling (20pt)
  • Response to self-reflection prompt is distinguished; shows insight and careful thought (5pt)
/
  • Descriptive paragraph is proficient; conveys subject & includes relevant information (4pt)
  • Details/evidence provided in analytical discussion are proficient; relevant and sufficient (19pt)
  • Response to self-reflection prompt is proficient; shows careful thought (4pt)
/
  • Descriptive paragraph is basic; information is incomplete (3pt)
  • Details/evidence provided in analytical discussion are basic; some relevance (18pt)
  • Response to self-reflection is basic; shows some thought (3pt)
/
  • Does not respond appropriately to prompts (2pt)
  • Purpose of details or evidence is not clear(17pt)
  • Supporting details poor or lacking (2pt)
/
  • Content is non-responsive to the prompts/assignment (20pt)

Organization
(10 points possible) /
  • Organization of paper is especially effective (3pt)
  • Paragraphing is especially effective in unifying and ordering related material (3pt)
  • Transitions between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs are smooth and provide a sense of “flow” (4pt)
/
  • Organization of paper is clear, appropriate, and consistent (2.8pt)
  • Paragraphs demonstrate appropriate order and unity (2.8pt)
  • Transitions between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs are consistent and appropriate (3.5pt)
/
  • Organization is clear (2.5pt)
  • Paragraphs unite related information (2.5pt)
  • Transitions connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs (3pt)
/
  • Organization is unclear or nonexistent (2.3pt)
  • Information gaps/irrelevant information (2.3pt)
  • Lacks unity and/or coherence throughout (2.8)
/
  • No attempt at organization; information seems to be randomly presented (6pt)

Grammar, Usage &
Punctuation
(10 points possible) /
  • Has almost no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, usage, or spelling (5pt)
  • Uses a variety of sentence constructions effectively (5pt)
/
  • Has very few, minor errors which do not affect readability and has very few “typos” (4.5)
  • Appropriately uses a variety of sentence constructions (4.5)
/
  • Has few errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, usage, or spelling (4pt)
  • Appropriately uses sentences but does not use a variety of sentence constructions (4pt)
/
  • Has many errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, usage, or spelling (3.5pt)
  • Sentences are poorly constructed (3.5pt)
/
  • Errors are “stigmatizing” and frequently impair readability (3pt)
  • Sentences are frequently constructed improperly and are frequently unclear (3pt)

Name ______

Final Score (50 points possible) ______