Sample Phrases for Observation & Evaluation
The following phrases may help you focus in your observation of the student teacher.
Learning and the Learner
 Gives developmentally,
age-appropriate directions,
activities, and vocabulary
 Acknowledges individual
students in a positive
manner
 Varies learning activities
 Keeps students on task
 Facilitates cooperative
groups completely
 Demonstrates “with-it-ness”
 Sets up lessons for different
learning styles
 Arranges classroom
appropriately for the type of
instruction
 Uses activities that are
reflective of the instruction
given
 Uses a variety of
questioning techniques
 Monitors and adjusts
teaching style
 Accommodates individual
needs
 Exhibits awareness of
emotional needs and
cultural differences
 Maintains a non-threatening
climate
 Varies classroom activities
 Designs attractive
bulletin boards/visual aids
Instruction
 Follows lesson plans
 Uses developmentally
appropriate objectives
 Fits activities into curriculum
 Addresses all learning
styles
 Utilizes available resources
 Demonstrates a broad
knowledge of subject matter
 Assesses teaching methods
and adjusts/modifies
instruction as needed
 Uses sequential lesson
planning
 Employs a variety of
teaching strategies
 Uses visual materials
correctly
 Fosters understanding of
materials presented
 Exhibits good organization
skills
 Moves fluently through the
lesson
 Varies evaluative
techniques
 Assigns appropriate
homework
 Closes lessons adequately
 Utilizes interdisciplinary
curriculum
 Demonstrates technological
competencies
45
Professional Practice
 Involves all students
 Allows students time to
respond
 States the objectives
 Uses appropriate voice
quality
 Gets housekeeping chores
done quickly
 Handles inappropriate
comments
 Shows enthusiasm
 Demonstrates fairness
 Exhibits tolerance of
differences
 Communicates effectively
with students, teachers, and
parents
 Uses correct grammar
 Employs good listening
skills
 Dresses appropriately
 Arrives on time
 Maintains confidentiality
 Exhibits responsibility
 Able to communicate and
accept criticisms
 Abides by the policies and
procedures of the school
 Positive attitude
 Respect shown to all
Helpful Words for Writing Recommendations and Evaluations

Adjectives Adverbs Sentence Starters

Action Verbs
accomplished ambitious adequately Is beginning to show growth…
adjusted calm appropriately Is working on…
administered capable assertively Is beginning to grasp…
analyzed caring authoritatively Is starting to develop…
arranged committed satisfactorily Is developing skills in…
attempts competent properly Is learning to…
captivates concerned correctly Is showing development…
captures confident confidently Is becoming more…
challenges conscientious firmly Is attempting to create…
collaborated controlled accurately Is experimenting with…
completed cooperative capably Is skilled at creating…
conceptualized creative constructively Has conducted…
conducted curious cooperatively Has effectively diagnosed…
constructed dependable creatively Has accurately constructed…
coordinated devoted effectively Has implemented effectively…
created dramatic emphatically Has identified problems…
demonstrated energetic energetically Has managed successfully…
designed enthusiastic enthusiastically Is actively involved…
diagnoses excitable highly Needs to develop
experiments expressive masterfully Is fostering interest…
facilitated friendly passively Seems to need assistance in…
fosters gentle realistically Has actively involved…
guided independent reluctantly Is lacking experience with…
handles inspired successfully Has demonstrated an ability to…
helps interested timidly Is showing improvement in…
identifies knowledgeable willingly Exhibits enthusiasm about…
implements laid back efficiently Shows an understanding of…
increased nervous actively Demonstrates mastery of…
individualizes pleasant extremely Is able to involve all students in…
involves positive favorably Seems reluctant to…
listens professional quietly Has effectively managed…
managed prompt shyly Shows good preparation in…
mastered reliable promptly Has a positive attitude about…
motivated reluctant professionally Is extremely sensitive about…
organized resourceful eagerly Seems well-informed about…
plans responsible cheerfully Is highly motivated to…
practices self motivated happily Has experimented successfully…
prepared sensitive keenly Is struggling with…
questions supportive earnestly Has communicated effectively…
seeks systematic intensely Has attempted to change…
selects well informed whole-heartedly Has collaborated successfully