6. The Classroom Observation

• This chapter runs almost 70 pages and focuses on different data collection methods and tools that a supervisor can use. The actual tools use should be discussed prior to the observation. In any case, observations need to be objective and not value laden. Approaches include: selective verbatim; checklists; anecdotal with checklists; tracking teacher movement with seating chart; use of Bloom’s Taxonomy to rate questions and activities; recording wait time between questions and calling on students; recording causes and effects of teacher behavior: recording instructional methods; teacher behavior and student activities; examining teacher-student discussion; wide-angle notes of activity; focus on calling patterns; observing cooperative learning; focus on technology use and integration; focus on classroom traffic; and focus on interdisciplinary teaching. In each case Sally gives sample observations of real lessons.

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