FORMAL OBSERVATION DATES AND TIMES TO: VERA VANDEVENTER FROM: TAMMY GOOCH RE: CLASSROOM OBSERVATION ON FRIDAY,

FEBRUARY 15, 2013 AT 2:00 P.M. A. DISCUSS THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF YOUR LESSON: The goal of today's lesson is to instruct students in how to give positive and constructive feedback in response to student presentations. Students have prepared culminating presentations to summarize books they have read during Literature Circles. Following each presentation, students will be asked to share 3 pluses and a wish for the presenters. Students will provide praise and constructive criticism relative to the content of each presentation. B. WHAT PROCEDURES DO YOU PLAN TO USE? For this lesson I plan to implement the following procedures: Introduce 3 pluses and a wish format Review purpose of book presentations Provide information about the book, plot, or characters Encourage others to read the book Provide personal review of the book Discuss importance of relevant feedback I feel like you covered a great deal of information about the characters NOT I think you did a good job Introduce first presentation (Anna and Moriah) Following presentation, hand out note paper and instruct students to complete 3 pluses and a wish Presenters also complete feedback on their own experience preparing the presentation. This feedback will be shared with presenters so that they can prepare a reflective assessment of their process. Repeat process for remaining presentations. C. HOW DOES THIS PARTICULAR LESSON FIT INTO THE TOTAL WEEK'S PLAN - THE CURRICULUM PLAN? Today's lesson fits into the ongoing Literature Circle cycle of the past two weeks. As groups finish their novel studies, they complete an individual book report assessment, then choose a group project to present to the class. These projects are taken from a list of ideas kept in the students' literacy folders regarding ways to share books. This process enables students to read and discuss books with their peers, share personal connections and perspective on story plot, and work collaboratively on a culminating project. Novels were selected based on reading level and varied interests. Students chose top 3 books they would like to read, and the teacher formed groups based on individual inerest and ability.

D. WHAT MEANS OF EVALUATION DO YOU INTEND TO USE TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LESSON? Lesson effectiveness will be determined by evaluating relevance of student feedback and constructive criticism offered. Classroom discussion will follow to reinforce importance of peer evaluation and self reflection on work. Following all student presentations, I will guide students in discussing strengths and weaknesses of presentations and changes we might make as a class the next time we do a literature cycle. E. WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR TEACHING WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO GIVE PARTICUAR ATTENTION? I request that you pay attention to my ability to allow the kids to guide the conversation. My goal in this literature circle unit is to serve as a facilitator, not a lecturer. I tend to control the conversations in my classroom if students are not responding according to my plan. I am trying to back away a bit and allow the conversation to follow student direction. F. SHARE ANY PARTICULAR CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE WITH THE STUDNETS IN YOUR SELECTED CLASS. I struggle with a few of the students in this afternoon group behaving inappropriately to get my attention. It is a concern that when other students have the spotlight, and there is a visitor in the classroom, these students may not behave as appropriate audience members. I want to handle any disruptions without taking away from the presentations being shared.