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: Whitney Illing Date: November 14, 2017

1. To what extent were learning outcomes appropriate and achievable to your students?
The learning outcome of students being able to define a need and a want
and specify the difference between the two was appropriate and achievable
for students. While the students could develop a better understanding of
the definition of a need and a want, the students could distinguish between
the two.
2. How effective were your instructional strategies? What changes would you make in
your instructional approaches if you taught this lesson again? Why?
For the most part, I feel like my instructional strategies were effective. I
think it is important to have different activities within the lesson, such as
read aloud, whole group activity, and independent work. In the future, I will
explain the directions again after the students go to their seat. I will also
make sure to take time to address the definition of needs and wants as
students gave me examples instead of the definition when I asked.

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.)

For the most part I was effective in communicating with students. I set clear
expectations, asked questions to guide students, and praised students for
the effort.
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.)
Overall I feel student engagement was good. Students were engaged when
I read the book. The students wanted to participate in the activity. I feel
students were excited to pack items for a trip.
5. How effectively did you use instructional materials, resources, and/or technology?
I think the use of the book, smartboard, and activity helped keep students
engaged. The book was an engaging way to introduce needs and wants.
The smartboard excited students to want to participate. The activity was
fun, but also challenged the students.

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 my assessment strategies were effective. I walked away knowing I
need to revisit the definition of needs and wants. I know students are able
to distinguish between needs and wants.

7. To what extent was your feedback to students accurate, substantive, constructive,

specific, and/or timely?
I believe I provided feedback in an accurate and constructive way. I made
sure to praise the students efforts, while helping them to correct their
mistakes. I tried to question the student on one specific item rather than tell
them.

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 believe the classroom management contributed positively. I gave clear
expectations to the students of what they needed to accomplish. I gave
praise for good behaviors and redirected students when needed. While the
students worked I walked around to ensure everyone was on task and to
help students that needed extra support.

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 any modifications during the lesson. The lesson was going
smoothly and as planned and I did not feel the need to change anything.

10. Was your Teaching Behavior Focus goal met?

I believe my teaching behavior focus was met. While I could always work on
it more, I feel I provided clear directions to students on how to complete the
independent activity.