Video Observation

Notetaking Tool
Observers name Victoria Bye Lesson observed Compare and Contrast
Purpose: To provide a framework for reflection and collaborative conversations about teaching and learning.

Directions: Read over the guiding questions below. As you view the video, jot down notes about what you see
and hear. Note any examples or evidence to support answers to the questions.

Student Engagement/Classroom Involvement Notes
1. How are students involved in the lesson?
What is the extent of student
involvement?
They answer a lot of questions, respond to video,
participate in engagement and practice, etc. The
students are actively involved throughout the entire
lesson.
2. Were there opportunities for students to
ask questions? What kinds of questions
were they asking?
How did the teacher help students make
connections to what they were learning?
I did not notice any explicit questions asked by the
students during teaching; however, there are still points
in the comparing cats and dogs activity and the practice.
I think it would be effective to ask for questions a little
more often during the lesson.
3. Describe the interaction in the classroom. The students actively answer questions. The students
seem to be a very active, and easily distracted class.
Student Learning Notes
1. What evidence do you see that indicates
student learning?
2. Was the learning outcome explicitly
conveyed to the students?










The students are able to answer all of Emilys questions
because she does a great job explaining content.
Yes, by the end of the lesson the students had a great
understanding of comparing and contrasting, similarities
and differences, and how to use a venn diagram.
3. What evidence did you see that the
learning goals were achieved?
4. How did the teacher monitor student
progress?












As Emily reviews, the students are able to answer her
questions regarding comparing and contrasting.

She asks a lot of questions to make sure that students
are progressing throughout the lesson. She also walks
around the room during the activity portion of teaching
and the practice.
Instruction
1. What is the teacher doing? (Facilitating,
lecturing, co-learning, etc.)
2. How was content/concepts presented to
students? Was there adequate
explanation of the concepts to ensure
student learning?
Facilitating- this lesson is more of a review of content
that they know and how to apply it to a venn diagram.

Videos, venn diagram examples, worksheet.
Yes, Emily did a great job explaining all the concepts and
ensuring that the students understood them.
3. What kinds of questions did the teacher
ask?
What questions provided
opportunities for students to
explain, defend, compare,
evaluate?
Did the teacher wait for responses?
Probe for deeper understanding?
Emily asked a lot of questions to get students to explain
the difference between compare and contrast, compare
and contrast different things, and explain why.


Yes and yes.
4. What tasks are students doing? Did the
students have the opportunity to practice
their new knowledge or skill? Did the
practice help support the learning
outcome?
5. How did the teacher manage the learning
environment? (Procedures, securing
attention, time on task, etc)






They are listening and answering questions while Emily
is talking. Yes, she gives them an opportunity for
practice. Yes, she definitely supports student learning
throughout the lesson.

She reminds the student to listen when they get off task.
She also gives very good directions prior to activities and
practice.


Feedback
3-2-1

3 Affirmations based on the observations and evidences above

I can tell that you really love and care about these kids through the way you interact
with them.

Your demeanor demands attention and you have great voice control.

You do an incredible job of covering content and questioning for understanding.

2 Questions for Consideration

Could you give students more time to ask you questions throughout the lesson?

Could you maybe walk throughout the class a little more to make sure that students in
the back are focusing?

1 Recommendation
I think it would be a great idea to utilize an attention getter as a management strategy.
Maybe counting down from 5 to get their attention or something else like that.