OYSTER BAY-EAST NORWICH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Post-Observation Conference
Name of Teacher _________________________________ School
_______________________
Grade
Level/Subject___________________________Observer_________________________
Observation Date_________________ Post-Observation Conference
Date______________

1.

In general, how successful was the lesson? Did the students learn what you intended for
them to learn? How do you know? (3d, 4a)

I think that this was an extremely successful lesson. The students were fully engaged for the entire
duration of the lesson and they were participating in excellent scientific discussions within their
groups. I was able to walk around the room and listen to their conversations as well as post
additional questions to them in order to determine their understanding of the content.

2. If you were able to bring samples of student work, what do those samples reveal about
those students levels of engagement and understanding? (3d, 3c)
I do not have samples of student work. However, there were pictures taken that I think clearly
show the level of engagement of the students.

3. Comment on your classroom procedures, student conduct, and your use of physical
space. To what extent did these contribute to student learning? (2c, 2d, 2e)
I think that it was wonderful that I was able to act as more of a facilitator for this lesson. The
students worked with their lab groups to analyze their data. Although I asked each group several
questions while they were working, the majority of the lesson was student centered and revolved
around their ability to analyze and interpret the results from their experiment. The lab groups
were working at individual lab benches which provided them with ample space for them to work
independently of other groups. However, the fact that the lab benches are located along two of the
walls of the classroom, I was able to stop the small group discussion and involve the entire class in a
discussion easily.

4. Did you depart from your plan? If so, how, and why? (3e)
I only departed from my plan very slightly. Several of the additional questions that I came up with
to ask the groups while they were working were generated by me based on their discussions. In
addition, I was prepared to have lead the groups discussions (if the students were not properly
analyzing the data), but I did not have to do this because their discussions were so wonderful!

I also decided to have the students walk around the room to observe the other groups results. That
was not in my original plan. I was so happy that I had 100% success on this lab!

5. Comment on different aspects of your instructional delivery (e.g., activities, grouping of

students, materials and resources.) To what extent were they effective? (2a, 2b, 3c, 3e,
1d, 1e)
The students were working in student selected groups. For most labs I assign the groupings of
students, however I wanted to let the students pick this time. They worked extremely well together
and I think that allowing them to choose their partners increased their engagement because they
were working with their friends. The cartoon that I showed the students at the beginning of the lab
very nicely related to the lab that the students had performed and it started off the lesson well. The
students had their own data to analyze and the supplies were easily distributed to each of the
groups. The students used their lab notebooks to document their observations and analyses of their
data. I also encouraged them to take pictures of their findings. This will be very useful to them
when they are working on their lab write up.

6. If you had a chance to teach this lesson again to the same group of students, what would
you do differently, from planning through execution? (4a)
I wouldnt! I think that they did such a great job.