U.S. Classroom Observation Checklist

Tony Newman

Senior English Language Fellow

U.S. Department of State

Level 1:Classroom Organization and Management

a. Started/Ended class on time

b. Clearly explained learning objectives for the class

c. Ensured that students were engaged in the learning activities planned for the class and took action when the students were not involved

d. Summarized the major points at the end of class.

e. Physical arrangements of your classroom promote language learning

Level 2: Teaching Style

a. Intonation: Spoke clearly and audibly

b. Treated all students in an equitable manner——trying to involve all students in activities and discussion.

c. Encouraged questions and students participation.

d. Gave students an adequate amount of time to respond to questions.

e. Provided feedback that gave students direction for improvement.

f. Appropriately used Web-based resources, PowerPoint, or other technological tools.

g. Encouraged students engagement in out-of –class activities related to the course.

Level 3: Instructional Techniques

Lecture

ReadingDemonstration

AudiovisualDiscussion

Teaching others

Practice doing

Level 3: Instructional Techniques

a. Unaccompanied lecture (0~100%)

b. Teacher-led discussion(0~100%)

c. Small group activities(0~100%)

d. Students presentation/demonstration(0~100%)

e. Hands-on-practice(0~100%)

Level 3: Instructional Techniques

f. In-class writing(0~100%)

g. Use a variety of reading strategies(0~100%)

h. Performance activities /tasks/kinesthetic(0~100%)

i. Use techniques that reflect an awareness of different learning styles(0~100%)

j. Use a variety of assessment strategies(0~100%)

Level 3: Instructional Techniques

Level 4: Engagement in critical Thinking

Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Domain

knowledge

Comprehension

Application

Analysis

Synthesis

Evaluation

Refine, repeat,

recite, lable

Summarize,

explain, infer

Apply, modify,

prepare

Compare, contrast,

distinguish

Combine, create,modify

Appraise, critique,

defend, justify

a. Memorize facts, rules and vocabulary so that they can be repeated/recited in the same form. (0~100%)

b. Summarize or explain the basic elements of an idea, rule,or theory. (0~100%)

a. Apply ideas, information, and experiences in a new way. (0~100%)

Level 4: Engagement in critical Thinking

d. Analyze/ compare/ contrast information

(0~100%)

e. Synthesize concepts so they can learn how to transfer their knowledge to different situations. (0~100%)

Before you start your semester, be sure to answer the following questions clearly, accurately and precisely.

What fundamental principles do I want my students to understand and be able to perform?

if you are unclear about the answer to the question, your students will be unclear about what they are doing and why they are doing it.