How to Prepare for a Formal Observation

Formal observations can be stressful. Even if you are confident in your abilities, you’re still probably thinking about all of the things that could go wrong. What if a student is misbehaving? What if I forgot some materials? What if I trip? What if a student throws up on my floor? Believe me, all of this stuff has happened during someone’s observation! So, no matter how prepared you feel or how confident you are, I’m sure you have at least some worries. Here is what I do to prepare myself for my formal observations.

1. Plan and teach your lesson like you would if it weren’t an observation.

This is important for a few reasons. First, it saves you time. Instead of focusing your time and energy on a big, showy lesson, focus on fine-tuning and improving what you already do. Second, you will be way more comfortable doing what you normally do rather than trying something totally new! Lastly, your students will know what to expect, know the routines, and know what your expectations are. You and your students will be way less overwhelmed if you keep your observation lesson simple and as close to normal as possible.

Your administrator will also appreciate seeing your normal! They want to know what you are doing in your classroom every day, they don’t want a show. They will be able to give you much more honest and helpful feedback this way.

I use these planning templates for my workshop lessons and my administrators love them!

2. Let your students know that you will be having a guest.

I personally like to let my students know beforehand that there will be someone visiting out classroom. I usually tell them that we are getting the opportunity to show how well we have been doing in math (or reading or writing or whatever your lesson is.) I don’t hide the fact that the observer is there for me. I tell them that the observer is going to give me some feedback on my teaching, just like I give them feedback during the day!

Telling my students that the observer is there to see how awesome they are makes them want to be awesome. Telling them that the observer is there to give me feedback takes the pressure off of them and helps them to be less nervous and more comfortable.

3. Only worry about the things you can control.

Will a student have a meltdown in the middle of you lesson? Maybe. Can you control that? No. Will your administrator blame you for that? No! (If they do, please know that they are wrong, and promptly start looking for a new school.)

Worrying about those crazy situations (that probably won’t happen) won’t prevent them from happening. It will serve you so much more to save that energy for the things you can control. Make sure you’re confident each part of your lesson. Make sure you have the materials you need. Make sure the lesson is not too easy or too difficult for your students. Make sure you have an assessment plan. Make sure your classroom management strategies are in place. Make sure your students know your procedures. Those are things you can control! Beyond that, what will happen will happen. Deal with it as it comes. You’ll know what to do!

4. Remember that constructive criticism is a good thing.

First, it’s impossible to portray who you are as a teacher and everything you do in your classroom in an hour. So, your administrator won’t see everything and that’s okay. You know how hard you work. Second, most administrators are going to try to find a few things that you can work on. EVERY teacher has areas in which they can improve. It does not mean your observation went poorly, it does not mean that you are a bad teacher. It means your administrator is trying to help you to improve. If your administrator does not give you something to work on, I encourage you to ask for something you can work on! That will be very impressive.

If you are overwhelmed with your feedback, I would choose one area to work on first. My administrator actually asks me to choose just one thing. You don’t need to fix everything overnight.

5. Have fun!

What? Did I just say that?! Yes I did. Show your administrator that you are calm, confident, and willing to have fun while you teach. I always joke with my kids when they are at the carpet and that does not stop just because someone is watching me! I just try to be as natural and normal as possible.

Free Reflection Form

I know reflecting on a lesson is extra time that you don’t have…I get it! However, I do think it is really important. Whether you write it down or just think it through on your drive home…do it! You will improve your practice and feel even more confident for your next observation!

I believe in reflecting on your lesson so much that I am giving you a FREE reflection form to get you started! Click the image to download your reflection form.