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What To Do Before and During Your First Observation

30 Jan 2019 by Caitlin Neely
Observation Training

Walking into your first live CLASS observation can be scary. It’s different from coding in a training session or on your own during the reliability test. 

But everyone starts somewhere. Even our most experienced observers were once novices. Thankfully, one of our awesome CLASS Specialists, Rebecca Danis, shared a few tips on what to do before and during your first observation. Keep this list handy before you walk into your first one.

What to do before an observation

  • Review your manual, paying attention to the information included in Chapter 2. Study any dimensions where you don’t feel confident.
  • Use tabs/flags to separate the dimensions.
  • Make sure you have enough score sheets, something to keep time with, and something to write with.
  • Plan to arrive a few minutes early to check in with administration and get settled.

What to do during an observation

  • Tell the teacher to continue about his/her normal day.
  • Stand/sit somewhere that is out of the way, but allows you to see and hear what is happening in the classroom.
  • Keep a neutral expression on your face.
  • Follow the coding protocol you were taught in your training. Don’t skip steps.

Practice really does make perfect and the more you observe, the more comfortable you'll feel doing live observations on your own. If you have any questions about observing, send us an email!

Pre-K CLASS Observer Tips
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Caitlin Neely

Caitlin Neely

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