Classroom Observation Form: Observation #1

Teacher: AJ Williams___ Period_2__ Formal__X__Informal_____

Observer: __Hermanson__
Date: _11/13/2014_
students present:
16 Students, 6 Violins, 4 Violas, 4 Cellos, 2
Basses
Lesson Preparation:
Lesson Objectives:
Very good. The lesson plan is clear and
Objectives are clear,
and they have success criteria.
Appropriate for this point in the class. AJ does
A great job of recognizing what students need.
Classroom Management:
Room Arrangement:
Some students are talking while AJ is talking. Appropriate for this
lesson. Very good.
This has mostly to do with the fact that he has
Not been able to see them on a daily basis and
Establish the kind of raporte that some of the
Students require to behave all the time. AJ does
An awesome job of managing behavior. At times
They move off topic, but who doesnt?
Student/Student interaction:
Student/Teacher Interaction:
Students feel comfortable and safe discussing
AJs interactions
with students are appropriate
Musical elements amongst themselves. They
and respectful.
His comments are appropriate for
Often self-assess and correct without him asking
this level of class
and this instruction.
Teacher Strengths:
Areas of improvement:
Mr. Williamss teaching is developing, but it is Sometimes conducting
is unclear and matches the
Very good. He has the potential to be great.
Tempo the students are
giving rather than leading.
The students like and respect him. He should continue to develop this
VERY
important skill!
His comments are musically appropriate and
Respectful to students.
Occasionally, his lesson plan drags
a bit, and

sometimes he spends too much

time correcting the
He is strong in the content area. His string
issue that is
slowing it down.
Knowledge is growing, and if he continues to
Develop it at this pace, he is going to be set!

Comments: Your lesson plan is great. A few areas to develop:

If youre going to include writing the learning targets on the board, then you
should include them in the lesson.
Assessment is listed as an area, but most of whats listed has students
assessing themselves. Youre also doing formative assessments on a constant
basis. This is an example of making sure you list what youre already doing.
Youre already assessing their playing and providing feedback on a consistent
basis. You just need to list it and take credit for it.
In terms of conducting, make sure what youre doing is worth looking at for
students. They are looking for information from your baton. Make sure youre
providing that information. This includes cueing, dynamic contrast, tempo,
gestures of syncopation, facial expression, excitement, and inspiration. This
skill takes time to develop. With younger groups, conducting can feel a great
deal like youre a human metronome at the beginning stages. When they
learn and know the piece well, your conducting has to develop the amount of
information youre giving them. They will begin to respond better to your
baton once they are comfortable with notes, rhythms, etc.