California State University San Marcos

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
CLINICAL PRACTICE OBSERVATION FORM
SINGLE SUBJECT PROGRAM
School: Valley High School
Teacher candidate:
Observer:

CT

Jennifer Strawser

OSL

US:

Class:

Date

October 1, 2014

Planning Observation

Title of lesson:
Well-constructed lesson plan for:
SDAIE
Bilingual
Materials ready
Efficient routines
Appropriate appearance
Unit and placement of lesson in the unit:

California Standards for the Teaching Profession

1. Engaging and Supporting All Students in Learning
2. Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments
for Student Learning
3. Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for
Student Learning
4. Planning Instruction and Designing Learning
Experiences for All Students
This was an observation of Jennifer planning with her 5. Assessing Student Learning
cooperating teacher.
6. Developing as a Professional Educator

What I saw:
I observed Jennifer and her cooperating teacher, Bertha Jimenez, working together to plan a 4 week unit of study in which
Jennifer would be dooing the majority of the teaching. They both had plan books/calendars, suggested lesson plans for the
unit and all mateirals they would need.
The initial discussion revolved around several upcoming events including: the CAHSEE and when that would be
happening and the format for the class during those 2 days. They also discussed writing prompts and when the rough draft
of the essay should be submitted and how the instruction for the unit woould be scheduled. They worked backwards so
they were beginnning with the end in mind.
They worked very cooperatively and collaboratively. Jennifer would suggest a lesson or activity and Bertha would ask her
questions about what she wanted to accomplish and how she planned to structure the lesson. For example, when
discussing the writing tasks the students would be asked to select from, Jennifer said, "Instead of a reflection, let's have
them as a group do a presentation on what their task is." Bertha said, "If you are asking it to be completed in 1 day, you
will definitely need a structure, guidelines and a rubric for them." When they were discussing when the final product
should be due, Jennifer said, "Let's make Thursday a flexible final in class or after school. It must be done by Friday
morning." Bertha suggested, "In my experience, tell them it is due on Wednesday then you can give them one extra day
because they have worked so hard." Another discussion that was very beneficial was when they were talking about how
to pair students. Jennifer suggested doing it randomly and Bertha advised, "Whenever you plan for groups, always over
plan in case groups don't work exactly as they fall randomly." Together you devised a great approach with several options.
There were some days Jennifer would not be there because of her classes or trainings. Berth asked Jennifer what she
would like her to cover on the days Jennifer was not there.
Throughout the planning they would periodically discuss specific students or groups of students and what special
academic, emotional or behavioral accommadations they should plan to ensure the student's success, e.g. a student was
going to be gone for a few weeks, Jennifer and Bertha worked together to ensure that he was in class for the introduction
of the book and the video. Then they planned to use email and a utube video and give him hard copy assignments to be
certain he had every resource to complete the work necessary to succeed.
Updated: 6/2010

Questions

Kudos

Your connection and concern for each student is a

tremendous strength. Your understanding of each of their
individual needs and your desire to provide positive
experiences for each of them is awesome..
The cooperative and collaborative way you and Bertha
plan is exceptional. You appear to have a mutual respect
for one another and your knowledge and experience.
You obviously analyzed the instructional unit and made
several suggestions for creative lessons that would engage
and inspire students.

Suggestions

Concerns

Continue to be as proactive as you were in this plaanning

Based on this observation of this planning session, I do
session, knowing and understanding the unit plan and
not have any concerns about how you work together and
being prepared with suggestions for instructional strategies how Bertha empowers you and validates your suggestions.
and activities.

Teacher candidates goal for next observation:

I look forward to observing your implementation of some of the dynamic strategies you and Bertha discussed.

TPE#: 1
10

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11

4
12

5
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6
14

7
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Candidate Signature

Date

Observer Signature

Date
Updated: 6/2010