Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

Elementary Education Program

Formal Observation Reflection

Directions: Complete the reflection questions and submit your response to your observer prior to having a post-
conference to discuss the observation. If a conference is held immediately after the observation you will submit
your responses to the observer the following day via email.

Name: Camila Portocarrero Date: 11/10/17

1. To what extent were learning outcomes appropriate and achievable to your students?
I believe that all learning outcomes were achieved in my lesson plan. I believe that
what made my students enhance their learning was the hands on activities I provided
during the lesson.
2. How effective were your instructional strategies? What changes would you make in
your instructional approaches if you taught this lesson again? Why?
My instructional strategies were effective, however I would make some changes for
next time in order to make it go a little bit more smooth. I would change my voice level
when reading the book since I believe it was a little low and I had not add much
character to it. This would engage students even more in the story which wouldnt
make them get distracted easily.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of your oral and written communication with students.
(Consider how well you communicated learning objectives, clarity of directions, use of standard English, quality of
questions and effectiveness of discussion techniques.)
I was very clear when it came to giving an introduction of the lesson we were going to
do on that day. I was able to thoroughly communicate to students what the specific
learning outcomes we were going to have as well as giving the main points of the
lesson. I was effective at reading the story, however, if I had raised my voice more then
all students would have been more engaged in it. Furthermore, I believe I
communicated how to do the final activity with the students, which was drawing in the
flag things that represented them.
4. Evaluate the level of student engagement in your lesson . (Consider how you presented the
content/skills, the activities and assignments for students, grouping of students, and structure and pacing of the
lesson.)
The students were engaged in the lesson for the most part, especially when we did our
march and when we drew our flags. They were somewhat engaged while I was
reading the book, however, all students participated in the discussion about the book.
5. How effectively did you use instructional materials, resources, and/or technology?
I was able to effectively use my instructional materials and resources. I used a talking
stick which allowed students to talk without being interrupted by others. This resource
helped keep all students attention on the person that was speaking. Also, the
materials I used for making the flag were enough and they were used properly for the
assignment.
6. To what extent were your assessment strategies effective? What changes would you
make in your assessment approach if you taught this lesson again? Why?
I think the assessment I used worked for the group of kindergartners I had. I believe
that when students are young, they are eager to talk about themselves to others and
they enjoy doing so. The assessment I used involved them to talk about each other
 and point out what made them special. I would probably try to practice the song more
before the students did the march because it took them a little longer to memorize it
and chant it out with confidence.
7. To what extent was your feedback to students accurate, substantive, constructive,
specific, and/or timely?
I did not give individual feedback to the students but I did give a conclusion at the end
of the lesson to make sure students understood that we are all unique since all of our
flags that made us were different from each other.
8. To what extent did the classroom management and environment contribute to student
learning? (Consider your classroom procedures, your use of physical space, and the students conduct.)
I think sitting down in a big circle helped everyone be focused on what was going on
and they were able to clearly see the person that was talking. Students also felt like
they were part of the assignment and that they all had the same opportunity to talk,
and that they were encouraged to do so. Being able to work in their groups at their
tables also helped them focus on their flags since they are used to doing work in those
spots.
9. Did you make modifications to your lesson plan during the lesson? If so, what were
they and what motivated these changes?
I did not make modifications of the lesson plan during the lesson.
10. Was your Teaching Behavior Focus goal met?
I believe that the teaching behavior focus goals were met. All students got the
opportunity to talk and were provided with the wait time necessary so that they could
come up with something they wanted to share. Furthermore, all instructions were
clearly provided to the students which allowed them to be more engaged in the lesson
since the students knew exactly what they had to do.