Guided Reading Lesson- Pinky and Rex and The Perfect Pumpkin Feedback

Notes on Observation of Lesson

Subject/Grade:  Guided Reading /1^st. and 2^nd.

Topic of Lesson: Writers Workshop

                                                             

STANDARDS

1. Curriculum and Instruction (Planning)

**Used appropriate materials to promote further learning by students

** Lesson was based on Massachusetts State Standards and Frameworks

** Lesson was designed with clear objectives and measurable outcomes

2.Instruction (Delivery)

**Made learning objectives clear

**Provided positive feedback and encouragement

**Communicated high expectations throughout the lesson

 3.Classroom Climate (Management)

**Created a learning environment that supports learning

**Maintained a positive learning environment

4. Equity (Promotion)

**Encouraged students to work hard

**Encouraged students to achieve

5.Professional Responsibilities

** Demonstrated thorough knowledge of the curriculum

** Conveys knowledge of the content and enthusiasm for teaching

In preparing for this lesson you successfully designed and implemented a thoughtful, well conceived, and well-detailed lesson for students. Throughout this lesson you displayed a calm and self-assured manner. In addition your tone; demeanor; familiarity with, and grasp of the curriculum; and your respectful way of interacting with students, all contributed to a successful learning experiences for each child.  

When the group assembled, you clearly and succinctly explained what they would be doing. Then you began by reviewing vocabulary words from the story. This was a good way to help them be ready to learn and it offered you an opportunity to assess how well they understood the meaning of the vocabulary words you were targeting.  Then, you and the students engaged in a discussion about the story from their reading that they did the previous day.  You asked thoughtful, opened ended questions to guide the conversation. Actually, this review turned into a really good conversation. Everyone actively participated. Clearly, they all enjoyed the story. Before moving on you asked students to make predictions about what would happen next in the story.

Over the last several months you have demonstrated highly  effective management skills. Students know your expectations for transitions, standards for behavior and how to work cooperatively in groups. This was evident during this lesson. By maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for students, and with your usual informal, open and positive demeanor, students remained on task, engaged and eager to participate. You made sure to praise and encourage them, while also challenging them to do their best work.  You conferred with each child while they finished reading the story and as they were responding to the questions in their journals.  These conversations helped you to evaluate each student’s learning as well as to stretch their thinking about different aspects of the story. This sort of dialogue encourages students to become critical thinkers.

Reflected in each of your conversations with the students, was how well you know each child. Your comments and remarks to students were always person specific; no two conversations were alike.   Specifically, later on, I’m sure that Gita appreciated it when you complimented her about something to do with the story. The neat thing was that the others in the group also added some nice things. Why is this important? Well, for most children, affirmation is really important.  It helps students to begin to see themselves as capable students, and to grow more confident as learners.  Furthermore, they’ll remember those instances in which a teacher made an important connection with them.

You nicely wrapped up the lesson with the students.  The conversation you had with them focused on the questions that they answered in their journals as well as their contributions that they made during the group discussion.  Ultimately, by the end of this guiding reading session, you knew if students successfully met the learning goals for this lesson.

Finally, you have grown considerably, and have demonstrated increased skill, competence and confidence as an educator. It is evident in all aspects of your  teaching. Good job

Reflection on Feedback: I am happy my supervisor felt the lesson went well. I also felt it went well and the students were both receptive to learning and engaged in the story. I feel that Guided Reading Lessons are not my strongest ability when teaching so I thought the feedback was both beneficial and helped to boost my confidence when teaching these lessons.