Directions: A requirement to successfully complete Education 1100 is the completion of a minimum of 15 hours spent observing in a public

school K-12 classroom. While observing you are to look for the following indicators, provide examples, and reflect on your observations for
each indicator. You may or may not see all indicators listed below due to the limited amount of time you spend in your cooperating teachers
classroom. You are however required to learn more about each indicator. Therefore you must have a conversation with your cooperating
teacher to understand the indicators not observed.

Classroom Setting
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Classroom Atmosphere:
Teacher- student and studentstudent interactions.

-Group made posters

-Kids work in groups often
-Open library in classroom is available to all
students in class

Classroom procedures:
Groups, materials, supplies,
transitions, and, routines.

-Every day Ms. Tieche creates a agenda for her

class and they work on daily math
-Privacy binder for tests
-Green take home folders, Assignment
notebook/daily planner
-Blue binder (tracks bad behavior and plans for
correcting it)
-Sign out sheet
-Mailboxes

I hope that my classroom has even a fraction of the love

that is so prevalent here! Ms. Tieche makes it a point to
tell every student how much they mean to her and I just
think that must feel so nice for the student to have in
school.
I really liked the idea of a daily agenda, I know that is a
kind of organization that helps me and it is nice for
students to be able to physically touch a schedule that
they can cross activities off on. I hope to use the daily
math worksheets like they used each morning.
I like the idea of the blue binder where students can
keep track of not so good behavior but I personally
would make it more private. I dont like that other
students know to avoid embarrassment.

Classroom behavior:
Expectations/rules,
monitoring, and response.
Classroom layout:
Arrangement of furniture,
resources for student use, and
technology integration.

-Desk arrangements change every 2-3 weeks

and formations are based on what would work
best for the unit focused on in class
-Always in some form of partner or group
based formation
-Comfy seating for reading independently

I think the change of scenery encourages learning and

creative thinking. I like that students will always have a
partner or group to work with.

Teaching
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Communication: Learning
outcomes, expectations,
directions, explanation of
content, use of vocabulary.
Questioning and discussion:
Blooms Taxonomy and wait
time.

Expectations in the classroom are pretty spelled out. Ms.

Tieche expects students to complete homework but always
spends time going over it in class and if something is not
done she gives them the opportunity to fix it.
Ms. Tieche allows students to question after they have used
all other resources available to them.

I like being able to give second chances as well

as allowing kids to fix mistakes and still earn
credit.

Student Participation
techniques

-Student led projects/worksheets

-Group work
-Blue binder if not on task or not following expectations

Activities and assignments

-Daily math (weekly math packet)

-Fractions and shape worksheets
-Owl pellet dissections

Grouping of students: Whole

class, small groups, pairs,
individual, etc.

Desks are in formations always in groups or partners never in

a semi circle or stand-alone and this rotates every unit.

Materials and resources:

Primary and secondary
sources

The school provides laptops to classrooms who would like to

check them out and use them. Ms. Tieche provides privacy
binders and a large library of books to choose from.

Pacing: Gaining attention,

transitions, reflection, closure,
wait time, etc.

Snap once, snap twice if you can hear me

Ms. Tieche gives ample time for transitions

Improvisation: Making
adjustments, flexibility based
on the student needs

She is constantly editing work and giving feedback and even

in her interview she said that it was so important to her that
she individualized each students learning as best as she can.

Student interests, culture, and

Ms. Tieche was always so personal with all of her students.

I like students using their current knowledge as

well as the resources they have at their desk
and around the room (posters, worksheets) to
help them as well as teammates.
I like that the students work so well with
eachother and seeing their peers thinking or a
different perspective will encourage them to
practice critical thinking.
I LOVE the daily math packets they used. It is
the first thing on their agenda to pull out and
work on and when everyone is done a student
leads the discussion and students either agree
or disagree with the answers in respectful way.
I think that it definitely benefits students to
work in groups and use each others way of
thinking to learn for themselves.
Privacy binders are such a great idea because
they are so handy for individualized tests and
prevent cheating. I love that she has such a
great selection of books and I know the
students enjoy it too.
I love how she got the attention of her students
when they were off task. It was gentle yet
effective
I hope that I am able to recognize each childs
specific learning style and embrace that as I
teach lessons to the whole class but
encouraging each different learning style.
I strive to build the kind of relationship with

other diversity incorporated

She took interest in their out of school activities and were

constantly touching base with their participation outside of
the classroom.

my students that will be open, honest and

friendly at all times. I hope that they look to
me as someone to share their accomplishments
with in and out of my class.

Lesson Planning
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Concepts, skills,
prerequisites, and
pedagogy

-Fridays Ms. Tieches class takes pre-test for

spelling words that she feels are necessary for
kids to use in everyday life.

I like the idea of pre-tests before learning

the material to show what the student
already knows.

Student abilities,
interests, learning
styles, level of
knowledge, culture,
background, and
needs.
Learning outcomes
linked to standards
within and outside of
the discipline that are
able to be assessed
based on a diverse
population of
students.
Classroom Resources
to enhance the
teachers professional
knowledge and
appropriately
challenging student
materials that fit the
learning needs of all
students.
Learning activities
sequentially designed

Students who needed extra time or resources

to keep their learning on track were given
those tools to support their success.

I think it is really nice that parents and

teachers can give the students these
tools to help learning and I like that they
are more common in the classroom

-The blue binder that Ms. Tieche uses to log

any kind of unwanted behavior
-The contact binder that keeps track of any
calls or emails that are sent home, why they
were sent and what the outcome was

I think just staying organized in any of

those situations ensure change that
supports growth from any of these
situations.

-Lesson plan manual

-Assessment plans
-Math workshops or workbooks
Outside of the classroom Ms. Tieche takes
classes and belongs to different teachers
groups

I think staying current on information

and constantly challenging yourself to
learn more is so important for you and
your class. I plan to always take classes
that encourage this and to learn and
discuss with other teachers what works
for them with their students.

Visuals around the room and resources

available at each work space

I believe visual representations are so

important for successful learning.

to engage and
advances students
learning.
Intentionally
organized student
groups created to
support learning.
Formative and
summative
assessments aligned
to learning outcomes
that drive planning
and instruction.

To support each student at their own pace and

learning capabilities group led projects are
used to support as well as challenge their
peers.
Check points and exit slips are used to monitor
the progress made in the unit

I love group work for student; I think it is

so powerful for them to see different
perspectives. Even if they dont agree
with it, it encourages them to think
differently.
Even if not for credit its important for
teachers to know what they just taught
was taken with them everytime they
leave for the day.

Assessment
Indicators

Examples

Reflection

Criteria expectations

Assignments typically stay the same for all the students with
the exception of AP math and reading students but grading is
done to encourage corrections

As I mentioned before I encourage the idea of

second chances and the opportunity to work on
the mistakes you made.

Monitoring student learning

Check ins with planners, binder checks, desk checks and check Its important to know what your students have
in with assignments worked on with teacher.
going on to verify they know the lessons and if
not why? How can you help them?

Feedback: Timely,
substantive, constructive,
teacher proximity, provides
guidance.
Student participation: Selfmonitoring.

Feedback includes notes, encouragements, awards or emails

home to give guidance.

Communication is crucial for both

teacher/student and teacher/parent
relationships

Trying all areas of knowledge before going to help from

teacher

I like that kids challenge themselves before

looking for the answers through other people.

Formative Assessment

Pre-test and post test assessments to keep track of prior

learning and what was learned during lessons

I hope to use this technique to check in with

my students and get an understanding of the
knowledge they already have before teaching

Summative Assessment

Grading system: Traditional,

standards-based

At the end of each unit the students are expected to know the
work learned in class and sometimes that means going over it
more than once but at the end they should be tested on their
knowledge.
Ms. Tieche uses a standard base grade guide throughout the
course of the year and for each assignment she is able to see
the work they put in and tracks if they had to redo it or if they
had the work, never failing

I agree with exactly how I saw it in Ms.

Tieches classroom
I will apply the same kind of grading system in
my class room.

Teacher Interview
1. What ways do you find yourself reflecting on your teaching practices? For example do you think your conversations with your
colleagues, journal writing, examining student work, conversations with your students, or just thinking about your teaching for the
day?
We (teammates) meet weekly to discuss student growth, review assessments and determine instructional strategies that would help
students grow
2. How does reflecting on your teaching practices drive your future instruction?
Do I need to reteach? Give more concrete experiences?
3. What method do you use to keep track of grades and homework completion?
Our grade level team created a grade sheet we dont average grades but look for growth overtime. We use rubrics for assignments.
Homework is only recorded to know if it was returned.
4. What assessment does the district use to determine a students ability at the beginning of the year and what assessment is used to
determine progress? Do you use any other forms of classroom assessment to determine academic progress?
Fand Pinnell Reading Assessment Boy, Math assessments for unit test and formative assessments, we grade these by using rubrics
5. Can you tell me about the Rti process in your school district? What is the process to refer a student for special services?
RTI is for students in tier 2 and 3. IF a student overtime does not make progress then they might be referred.

6. What methods would you suggest for keeping yourself organized? For example what method do you use to keep track of parent
contact, when students turn in permission slips, lunch count, attendance or picture day money?
I have a phone contact binder- I keep track of who I talked to, why, date and the outcome. I use this checklist/classlist to keep track of
permission slips. Attendance and lunch counts are taken via computer
7. How do you keep your students families informed about what is going on in the classroom or with their individual student?
Paper newsletter and email newsletter
8. Do you encourage parental participation and volunteering in your classroom? Why or why not?
I use them for book talks or class parties but its mostly volunteer based
9. Do you meet with your grade level partners on a regular basis? Do you have collaborative plan time built in your schedules? What
is discussed at these meetings? Is this district or school mandated or do you find time to collaborate yourselves?
See question #1. Wednesdays each grade level meets, 3:20-4:05. 2x a month we meet for literacy, 2x for math. Wednesday 1:20-1:50
grade levels meet with literacy coach
10. What clubs, coaching, or committees are you involves in beyond the school day? Does you district compensate employees for
sponsoring, coaching, or committee membership? Is there a minimal requirement?
None, yes, no
11. Does your administrator solicit feedback from teachers on school initiatives? What kind of initiatives are taking place in your
school right now?
Writing- using Lucy Calkins Writing Pathways and On Demand Writing
12. How do you stay current on hot topics in education or best practices?
I take classes and read
13. Do you attend workshops or participate in professional development activities? What are the most recent ones you have
participated in?
Yes, Number Talks and Number Sense by Math Solutions
14. Are you a member of any professional organizations? If so, which ones?
NEA and IEA
15. Are you on any leadership teams or are you in charge of any committees? What are your roles on these committees?
Report committee- rewriting to make standards based
16. If you knew then what you know now, what advice would you give me?
Love each student like they are your own child

17. What is the most rewarding thing about being a teacher?

Being able to build confidence in a student and to help them recognize their gifts
18. What is the most challenging this about being a teacher?
Keeping students engaged, focused, academics matter, be a reader