Wondering how to make sure you get an Outstanding in a lesson
observation? Well here are 10 things you must remember for an
observation lesson in order to help you achieve an Outstanding...
1. Lesson Plan
1. Lesson Plan
- Remember to make reference to SMSC ( http://www.smsc.org.uk/) somewhere on your lesson plan.
- Show how you plan to differentiate, especially for the SEN and the Gifted and Talented students.
- Identify the EAL, Free School Meals and students with parents in the Armed Forces and maye even demonstrate how you plan to support these students.
- Include activities / mini-plenaries to demonstrate AFL and state how you will expect the different students to progress at various stages of the lesson.
- Include tasks which will demonstrate the students' use of Numeracy/ Literacy skills.
- Include tasks differentiated for the different types of learners (Kinaesthetic, Visual and Auditory).
- Have plenty of short/snappy activities with smooth transitions. Have at least one group activity.
- Have a 'bell-activity' ready.
2. Get Involved!
Some weaker teachers will stand stationary at the front of the class without checking over students work or questioning students during activities. It is important to be moving around checking work and questioning the students based on their ability. This makes for good differentiation and demonstrates AFL.
3. Seating Plan
Seat students to help show differentiation and always remember to hand the seating plan along with your lesson plan/resources to the observing teacher/ inspector. It is a good idea to annotate the seating plan with target levels next to their names. Also state how you have differentiated when deciding where to seat the students.
4. Peer Assessment
Make sure you incorporate peer/self assessment in your lesson. Allow students to set their own targets for improvement based on some generic targets that you may wish to display on the whiteboard.
5. Good Behaviour
Ensure good behaviour by informing the students in a prior lesson that they are the ones that are being observed. Alternatively, bribe the students by offering sweets as an incentive or by allowing them to sit next to their friends in return for good behaviour.
6. Make Students Aware of Their Targets
You are unlikely to achieve above a 'Satisfactory' should the students not be aware of their targets. Always make sure that all students are aware of their target levels as the observer will be checking with the students. Perhaps, you can refresh and test the students on their targets in a previous lesson.
7. Visible L.O. at All Times
The L.O. should be visible at all times. Personally, I use 'Scrolling Objectives'. (http://www.gr82bgeeky.co.uk/subjects/resources/ScrollingObjectives.zip). This is a small program which allows for your L.O. to scroll along the top of your screen. It is ideal for interactive whiteboards and will not fail to impress the observer!
8. Do Not Use 'Hands-Up'
All too often, teachers fall in to the trap of selecting the students who always raise their hands when asking a question to the class. It is more impressive to select students based on their ability or in random systematic way depending on the type of question.
'Random Name Generator' ( http://www.gr82bgeeky.co.uk/subjects/resources/Random%20Name%20Gen%20v4.zip) will help select a name at random and can be used for multiple classes.
9. Back-up Your Activities
Technology can fail at any time so it is important to have alternate activities planned.
10. Be Friendly to the Observer
Greet the observing teacher/ inspector and maybe even introduce him/her to the class. Everyone likes to feel welcome, especially an inspector!
Some weaker teachers will stand stationary at the front of the class without checking over students work or questioning students during activities. It is important to be moving around checking work and questioning the students based on their ability. This makes for good differentiation and demonstrates AFL.
3. Seating Plan
Seat students to help show differentiation and always remember to hand the seating plan along with your lesson plan/resources to the observing teacher/ inspector. It is a good idea to annotate the seating plan with target levels next to their names. Also state how you have differentiated when deciding where to seat the students.
4. Peer Assessment
Make sure you incorporate peer/self assessment in your lesson. Allow students to set their own targets for improvement based on some generic targets that you may wish to display on the whiteboard.
5. Good Behaviour
Ensure good behaviour by informing the students in a prior lesson that they are the ones that are being observed. Alternatively, bribe the students by offering sweets as an incentive or by allowing them to sit next to their friends in return for good behaviour.
6. Make Students Aware of Their Targets
You are unlikely to achieve above a 'Satisfactory' should the students not be aware of their targets. Always make sure that all students are aware of their target levels as the observer will be checking with the students. Perhaps, you can refresh and test the students on their targets in a previous lesson.
7. Visible L.O. at All Times
The L.O. should be visible at all times. Personally, I use 'Scrolling Objectives'. (http://www.gr82bgeeky.co.uk/subjects/resources/ScrollingObjectives.zip). This is a small program which allows for your L.O. to scroll along the top of your screen. It is ideal for interactive whiteboards and will not fail to impress the observer!
8. Do Not Use 'Hands-Up'
All too often, teachers fall in to the trap of selecting the students who always raise their hands when asking a question to the class. It is more impressive to select students based on their ability or in random systematic way depending on the type of question.
'Random Name Generator' ( http://www.gr82bgeeky.co.uk/subjects/resources/Random%20Name%20Gen%20v4.zip) will help select a name at random and can be used for multiple classes.
9. Back-up Your Activities
Technology can fail at any time so it is important to have alternate activities planned.
10. Be Friendly to the Observer
Greet the observing teacher/ inspector and maybe even introduce him/her to the class. Everyone likes to feel welcome, especially an inspector!