SPED Observation Notes for: Ashley

Date: 2015-02-24

Time: 12:30-2:15

Observation #: 3
Pre-observation: (plan in on time, detailed, state and local
standards, clear intent)
Lesson plan was submitted well in advance of observation. It was
detailed and complete. It met all standards determined by the
local school division and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Planning: (measureable objectives, variety of strategies,
interdisciplinary, appropriate strategies to meet specific needs of
students, designed to advance learning)
Ms. Mustaki created an excellent lesson plan that contained a
variety of engaging activities for her students. Sufficient
challenge was included.
Learner Development and Differences: (developmentally
appropriate instruction, meets soc/emot needs, activities are
meaningful and appropriately challenging)
Reading level for all 5 students is below grade level. Math levels
are varied. Ms. Mustaki addressed these differences with constant
individual help.

Learning Environment: (positive and respectful, variety of

social engagement-individual and small group, safe, supports
students emotional well-being)
Students were constantly and consistently encouraged with
positive feedback. Ms. Mustaki has a very pleasant and friendly
voice. Students respond well to her gentle tone.

Classroom Management: (clear rules communicated and

enforced, consistent and fair, low profile corrections, routines
established and maintained, appropriate praise, smooth
transitions, awareness of student behavior and engagement)
Students entered the classroom and soon settled into their
assigned places. They began as they always do with a journal
entry. It is clear that routines and expectations have been clearly
established in this SPED lab.
Ms. Mustaki provided a consistent and genuine flow of praise for
her students. She also constantly checked on each students
progress by asking are you doing OK?.
Assessing Student Learning: (use of a variety of formative
assessments, students review own progress, specific feedback,
modifies instruction as needed to meet students needs)
Student progress was constantly monitored and instruction was
adjusted to meet specific needs. Ms. Mustaki does an excellent
job of restating a question if she determines that a strategy is not
working effectively.
Instructing and Engaging Students: (active teacher and
student participation, adjusts instruction to meet immediate
needs, good questioning strategies, use of technology, variety of
grouping strategies, promotes student communication and critical
thinking and problem solving, encourages correct discipline
vocabulary)
Students were highly engaged throughout the lesson. Ms.
Mustaki was constantly interacting with them through her praise
and encouragement.
Students were held to using correct terminology as they
proceeded through the lesson. For example Ms. Mustaki
encouraged them to use the term negative rather than minus
when reading their coordinates. As students worked through the

first part of the lesson on the board they encouraged each other
and paid attention to each other.
Lesson Presentation: (clear start, prior knowledge, materials
ready, states objectives, high expectations, check for mastery as
lesson proceeds, moves about classroom, wait time, clear end
review, transition, homework)
Lesson began with an established routine of journal writing. Ms.
Mustaki instructed them to write about 5 things that the students
did during their week of snow days. She encouraged them to
write at least 6 sentences. She also reminded them of how much
time they had remaining. As they worked she often helped them
to spell a challenging word. She collected the notebooks at the
end of the writing time.
She indicated that the students were going to begin with Math
and work on using coordinates. She told them they would begin
with a BrainPop video and quickly accessed the video for the
students to view. This particular brand of instructional videos is
an excellent choice as they are both informative and age
appropriately entertaining. Students watched and listened well.
One student was a bit reluctant. Ms. Mustaki urged her gently to
move her chair so she could see better. This was enough to get
the student on track and paying better attention.
Ms. Mustaki had a coordinate plane drawn on the board. She
asked good questions and students helped her to label the x and
y axis and the quadrants I-IV. Her explanations were very clear
and students paid close attention. She gave them a fun way to
remember the positive/negative parts of the plane using the
Mario video game. She provided several ordered pairs and guided
students to place them correctly on the plane. Each student was
given a post it note with different coordinates on them. She
created little Mario figures for students to place on the plane that
indicated the placement of the coordinates.
She then distributed a worksheet for independent work. She
moved from student to student as they worked and she checked
their responses when they were finished. There were students

called out of class and returning at different times during the

lesson. Ms. Mustaki focused on any student who may have
needed to catch up. Each student was given individual attention
and care.
As students finished their small activity sheets, Ms. Mustaki
provided them with another sheet that was a bit more
challenging. Some students accepted it eagerly and got right to
work. The result of the worksheet was a picture of a piece of
pizza.
The lesson ended with a review of the concepts covered
previously. Students transitioned smoothly to the Language Arts
part of the lab.

Content Knowledge: (accurate and appropriate knowledge,

explains skills logically and explicitly, prior knowledge and
experience connections, variety of examples, makes real world
connections, knowledge of SPED curriculum standards)
Ms. Mustakis explanations were clear and precise. She paid
particular attention to the use of correct terminology. She built
this lesson upon what students had learned and practiced
previously in her lab and in the math class. They all experienced
a good deal of success under Ms. Mustakis guidance.
Additional Comments:
Ms. Mustaki plans lessons that have a variety of engaging
activities. Students move quickly from one activity to the
next. The atmosphere in her classroom is positive and
supportive. Ms. Mustaki is always kind and nurturing.
Her kindness and concern just shine in everything she
does with her students.

Plan for next visit:

My next visit will take place in your second placement at Yorktown
ES. Get settled in and begin looking at scheduling that visit during
the week of March 16. Looking forward to it and hope you are
too.