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:

 

  1. How the furniture is arranged in the room.  What kind of mood or atmosphere does it set for the students? 

 

 

  1. How the room is decorated.  What has the teacher placed on the walls and on shelves? Does the room seem welcoming and inviting?

 

 

 

  1. 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?

 

 

 

  1. 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? 

 

 

 

 

  1. 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? 

 

 

 

  1. 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? 

 

 

 

  1. 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?