Observation task 4: Planning and preparation for learning

Focus: The importance of planning and preparation

Objective
The objective of this task is for student teachers to begin to understand the relevance of
planning and preparation as well as gain insight into how teachers do this.

Before the observation

Discuss the task with the teacher and arrange a good time to observe her teaching. (this
could be for as little as 15 min)
During the observation, record and make notes on what the teacher and the learners are
doing.
Example

Teacher activity

Learner activity

Time spent

Teacher arranges learners into groups

to work on an activity/task. She gives
the instructions and gives a quick
demonstration of how to do it.

Learners listen to the teacher, get into

groups and watch the demonstration

4 mins

Teacher starts the activity/task and

walks around the room and helps
those who need it.

Learners start the activity, and talk

together to finish it. Some students are
raising their hand asking for help.

10 mins

Note: This is only an example, the aim of this is to observe what is happening in the learning environment you
are in.

Find out how the teacher planned and prepared for the section you
observed.

Teacher activity

Learner activity

Time spent

-The teacher explain to them how they going to stick the

beads to create the new number they took

-they listen to the distraction then they pass

the papers and beads between them

-5 min

-the teacher walks between them to see if they do it

probably after they finish she correct the paper for them

-they start the activity and stick the beads with

glue after they finish they show the teacher
then they stick it in the wall

-10 min

After the observation general questions related to planning and

preparation for learning.
Arrange a time to discuss the following points with the teacher. It is important that you
ask these questions as they will help you with your reflection later.

How do you plan? Do you plan weekly, daily, as part of a team or individually? Weekly and
with groups

Do you do anything you havent planned to do? no the teacher write a note in the plan that
she will add something new

What is important to you when planning a lesson? That all student will understand and have
fun with the lesson

Do you plan to do the same thing with all the children in the classroom? (Why/Why not?
Sometimes for example first year student will take the same concept but the way you will
use is different between students to another. Not all of them in the same level.

Arrange to attend a planning session with the teacher/team.