Teachstone Blog | CLASS & Effective Teaching Strategies

Elevate Your Observation Skills with Our Observer Workshop Series

Written by Benjamin Smith | Jul 30, 2024 6:45:00 PM

CLASS® Observers are critical to ensuring that all children have access to effective interactions. Whether you are newly certified, have years of experience, or are preparing to recertify, continuous learning is key to staying sharp and effective. 

To support observation skills and best practices, we are thrilled to announce our Observer Workshop Series. Join us from August 19-23, 2024. This is the first time we're offering a dedicated refresher course specifically for CLASS Observers, designed to help you stay at the top of your game.

These workshops are designed to fit into your busy schedule. They offer practical, actionable strategies in convenient 45-minute sessions. Each session is tailored to help you enhance your observation skills, providing you with the tools you need to make accurate and meaningful assessments.

Who Should Attend?

These sessions are perfect for:

  • Newly certified CLASS observers of any age level or CLASS version
  • Experienced observers looking to refine their skills
  • Those preparing to recertify as CLASS observers
  • Anyone interested in improving their classroom observation techniques


What are the Sessions at the Observer Workshop Series?

Join us each day for live, facilitated sessions on our user-friendly virtual event platform:

Preparing for Your First Live Observation
August 19, 2024 | 3-3:45 p.m. ET
Whether it’s your first observation ever or just your first in a while, preparation can make all the difference. Learn how to set yourself up for success by being well-prepared, reducing stress, and ensuring a more positive experience for both you and the educators you observe

Unleashing the Power of Effective Notetaking
August 20, 2024 | 12-12:45 p.m. ET
Learn how to streamline your notetaking process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency, and elevate the quality of your CLASS observations. This session will equip you with strategies for capturing precise and detailed observations quickly.

Misunderstood Indicators in The Emotional Support Domain
August 20, 2024 | 3-3:45 p.m. ET
This session focuses on recognizing moment-to-moment exchanges within the classroom, emphasizing that emotionally supportive interactions help children feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. Observers are encouraged to take a deep dive into understanding the indicators in order to enable more accurate and meaningful observations.

Regard for the Educators: Observer Guidance
August 21, 2024 | 12-12:45 p.m. ET
Enhance the observation experience for observers, teachers, and students with this session. Presenters will share strategies on observer etiquette to minimize disruption in the classroom, ensuring a smooth and respectful observation process for everyone.

Misunderstood Indicators in The Instructional Support Domain
August 21, 2024 | 3-3:45 p.m. ET
Understanding the Instructional Support domain and some indicators may be tricky for some coders. This session highlights some common sticking points in Instructional Support and offers tips and clarification to enable observers to more effectively plan, monitor, and assess understanding and performance.

The Art of Observing Multiple Adults
August 22, 2024 | 12-12:45 p.m. ET
Observations can become more complicated when there is more than one adult in the classroom. If there are multiple educators in a learning setting, observers should capture their interactions regardless of their role. This session digs deep into best practices for observing interactions with multiple adults.

Strengthening Your Coding Skills
August 22, 2024 | 3-3:45 p.m. ET
Coders often struggle with using behavioral markers as a checklist or looking for ideal behaviors rather than noting what is actually happening. This session emphasizes the importance of objective note taking during observations, encouraging coders to focus on recording specific behaviors, interactions, and contextual details without interpretation.

Misunderstood Indicators in The Classroom Organization Domain
August 23, 2024 | 3-3:45 p.m. ET
When the flow of activities is frequently interrupted, opportunities for meaningful interactions are lost. Effective classroom organization ensures that interactive time is maximized, creating more chances for students and educators to engage. This session drills into commonly misunderstood indicators to emphasize the importance of Classroom Organization in facilitating meaningful interactions.

What Other Details Do You Need to Know?

Each session is $50 per person and includes access to our virtual event platform, where you can join the sessions, connect with other observers, participate in interactive chats, and download additional resources. Plus, you’ll have access to the session recordings for three months!

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your observation practice and make a lasting impact on classroom interactions. Register Now for the series and invest in your professional growth.