Department of Teacher Education & Learning Sciences

Elementary Education Program

Pre-Observation Form
Directions: This form is to be completed prior to every lesson that will be observed by the mentor teacher
or university supervisor. It is to be submitted no later than 3 business days prior to the actual observation
along with your lesson plans.

Name: Whitney Illing Date: March 7, 2017

1. What is the topic of your lesson?

The topic of my lesson is main idea.

2. Why are you teaching this lesson? What is your rationale for teaching it?
The students in my class need extra support in comprehending the text
while reading it. They do not translate the text into meaning while they
read it. The main idea tree will help them organize the important
information and details in the text so that they can develop meaning
from it.

3. What is your Teaching Behavior Focus? Why did you choose this?
My teaching behavior focus is classroom management is positive and
appropriate. Classroom management is something I struggled with
during my math lesson. Classroom management is necessary in order
to create an encouraging learning environment.

4. Why did you design your instruction in this lesson the way that you did?
Why did you choose this way of teaching the lesson (e.g., Was the idea
from a methods course? From your mentor teacher? Another source?)
I designed this based off of a lesson in Teaching Common Core English
Language Arts Standards by Cunningham and Cunningham required for
my reading methods course.

5. As you are thinking through this lesson, what do you believe will be the
most challenging part of this lesson for you when you teach it? Why?
I think the hardest part about teaching the lesson is covering two
topics thoroughly. My topic is main idea, but I also want the students to
learn about important black role models. I want the students to get the
most from both topics.

6. How will you know if your learning outcomes for the students are met
successfully?
I will know that the learning outcomes were met if the students are
able to find the main idea and list key details within the text. The
students will be able to write a summary using the main idea and
 details

7. How will your classroom management support the learning outcomes?

I will give the students clear expectations of what they need to do and
rules they need to follow. I will establish clear learning outcomes. This
will allow students to know what is expected of them. If I have a
student off task or distracting others, I will walk towards their desk in
hopes they will get back on task, if not I will quietly remind them to.
This will allow students to have a good working environment.

8. List 1-3 areas which you would like for your observer to pay particular
attention. Why do you want your observer to focus on these areas?
1. I would like my observer to focus on my classroom
management. I think establishing a positive classroom
climate allows for a lesson to be productive.
2. I would like my observer to focus on wait time. I have a
tendency to call on someone or move on quickly after
someone has responded. Wait time is important to allow
all children to form an answer.

9. Is there anything else you would like your observer to know before the
observation?