SEED 4103: PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE IN THE MIDDLE AND
SECONDARY SCHOOL
OBSERVATION
FORM: THE FIRST DAYS IN YOUR PRACTICUM SCHOOL
What
the teacher says and does the first days of school helps set the tone for that
class during the rest of the term. Record
your observations, reactions, and insights in the following areas:
- How the furniture is
arranged in the room. What kind of
mood or atmosphere does it set for the students?
- How the room is
decorated. What has the teacher
placed on the walls and on shelves? Does the room seem welcoming and
inviting?
- How the teacher
interacts with students. Does
he/she greet them as they enter?
Does she/he interact with everyone during the class period? Is
everyone included?
- How the teacher begins
the class. How much time is taken
for attendance? How are students
seated? Does the teacher spend time
on community building activities?
- How the teacher
explains the curriculum to be studied in that class. Is there a syllabus? Are the students given an introduction/overview
of the textbook(s) to be used?
- How the rules,
procedures, and policies for classroom management are established. Are rules posted in the classroom? Do the students and teacher create them
together? Does the teacher explain
the grading system?
- How the instruction is
delivered. Does the teacher lecture
most of the period? Does he/she use
small groups to discuss issues? A
combination?
Analysis
of observation:
What
did you observe that you expected to see?
What
did you observe that was unexpected?
What
was the most important event or behavior you observed?
What
key point about your observation would you like to stress in your seminar?
What
is the most important question raised by your observation?