Observing a grade 1 lesson

Jon Marks

June 11 2012

From September 2012 The Common Inspection Framework will have just 4 grades:

• Overall effectiveness =

• Outcomes for learners (Success Rates, LAT)

• Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

• Leadership & management (at all levels)

Some thoughts

• An ‘outstanding’ lesson is like a single photograph of you

• It’s not you, merely a reflection of what the camera observed

• The image was most likely selected by someone else

Some thoughts

• An ‘outstanding’ teacher is one who consistently delivers ‘good’ lessons (and better) throughout the year

Ian Robinson, HMI

Key principles

• Observe and record what you see – it’s all about that, not about what might have been

• Don’t assume there’s a model lesson which comes with a checklist and template

• Lessons don’t need to conform to a formula, nor to adhere religiously to the lesson plan

What to observe....

Examples and evidence of the impact on students of:

• A safe and secure environment in which students learn with confidence and assurance

• A lesson which is both inclusive and seeks to explore opportunities to discuss issues relating to equality and diversity

Chinese proverb

Tell me – I’ll forget;Show me – I may

remember;Involve me, I’ll

understand

More philosophy .....

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Our four key questions

• Was the ethos and environment conducive to learning ?

• To what extent did the teaching engage and sustain the interest of students ?

• Were subject specific skills, understanding and expertise being developed ?

• To what extent are students becoming independent & effective learners ?

Key Ingredients

The staff-student rapport and the ethos in the classroom evidently leads to:

• Engagement of all students throughout who display signs of curiosity

• Exceptional learning taking place where students are being clearly stretched

• An unmissable experience• Students feeling secure and are happy

Key ingredients

• Effective planning

• Appropriate use of resources

• Activities where the teacher facilitates student learning, not so much ‘sage on stage’

• Delivering skills and content essential for passing exams

• Sharing the criteria for success at every level

The teacher needs to be

• Reflective - reappraising and adapting

• Resourceful • Resilient

and should

• Raise the game

The ‘outstanding’ teacher will...

• Know all the students, their level and aspirations

• Make clear what is to be learned

• Regularly check learning through skilful questioning and the setting and monitoring of appropriate tasks

• Have a confident grasp of subject knowledge

The student• Is both engaged and motivated

• Is curious

• Is progressing towards independence

• Is developing resilience – learning from mistakes

• Understands what they are doing and why

• Knows what ‘good’ work looks like

• Makes significant progress with their learning

Good questions for students during a lesson

• What is helping me learn?

• What am I learning?

• My learning would have improved if....

Good questions for students as part of homework

• What did I learn?

• How can I apply it to what I already know?

• What do I need to know more about?

Planning an outstanding lesson

At what stage are your students?

Lesson Objective: what will help them

progress?

Plan an engaging activity

Test the learning through a set task, clearly explained

Set a further task to monitor student learning success

Hot Learninghttp://archive.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=hotlearning

Hot Learning Simplified

Aspiration: Setting high

expectations

Motivation: Communication,

coaching, feedback

Planning: Differentiation & personalised learning

Basics: confident subject knowledge & enthusiasm

An ‘Outstanding’ Lesson Summary

• Lively, fun, active session reference to clear lesson objectives

• Very encouraging and supportive ethos underpinned by excellent staff-student rapport

• Genuine collaboration within groups

• More able students assessing & coaching others

An ‘Outstanding’ Lesson Summary

• Lesson built on prior learning with good understanding of technical terms & use of appropriate subject language

• Teacher regularly monitors understanding & development through listening, skilful questioning, explanation and summaries

• All students are fully involved & making excellent progress, as evidenced by oral responses, note-taking & assessed written work

What might help...

What might help...

Eddie’s Lesson

• http://archive.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=eddieslesson