Observation One
I think the overall observation went very well. My strengths are my rapport with the students and the students abilities to have organized, mature conversations virtually without my presence. The common core standards is all about weaning students off of the teacher centered classroom and move it more towards student centered learning. Basically, giving the students all the tools to complete the job without the actual labor. My students said some amazing things like, "I have a word for what you did overall. Analyze." That was excellent because the student used a high level vocabulary word without my prompting. While eavesdropping on one group's conversation I heard, "I loved what you said here about the labels and it makes total sense, but on the rubric it says 'many examples' if you want the highest grade...if you think it's good then whatever."
However, my lesson was not perfect if you look at the Danielson framework rubric. There was one point at the end of the lesson when I was summing up the lesson when a student raised her hand and just started talking. I lost my entire train of thought and actually said out loud, "Wait, I lost my train of though." I quickly recovered and went on to explain tomorrow's lesson and the exit card. I don't know if my principal will hold it against me, but there is a possibility. I felt very comfortable with my principal in the room and he left with a happy face. Below I attached the lesson instead of giving you a blow by blow of the lesson format. Feel free to use it as your own. =)
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