Objectives
One
of the first things that your administrator will do when he or she enters your
room is check to see if you have your objectives posted. These can be your
objectives for the day or for the week. It is crucial that you have these
posted and in a place of high visibility. And, make sure you go over these
objectives with your students each day.
Classroom Engagement
The
principal or administrator will also check to see if your lesson is engaging.
Are your students actively involved in the lesson or if you are doing only
lecture? So, try to plan lessons that will require your students to be involved
and actively engaged.
Teacher Location and
Movement
The
principal will check to see where you are when he or she enters the room. Are
you sitting at your desk or walking around monitoring your classroom? Not many
of us can stand on our feet all day long. However, your principal will want you
to spend the majority of the day walking around your class. This will help to
decrease the amount of behavioral problems in your class and ensure that you
students stay on task.
Classroom Organization
How
is your class organized? Are your desks in straight rows or are they set up in
small groups? Administrators want you to encourage correlative groups. So, try
to plan group work for a majority of the time.
Time Management
Another
big issue is time management. Your principal will observe your time management
skills. He or she will check to see how you use the time you have to get the
most out of your class. They also want to make sure that you stay on task. Most
want you to teach from “Bell to Bell”. This means form the time that the
students enter your class to the time that the bell rings for them to be
dismissed. Although you may can’t accomplish this all the time, make sure if
your boss is present that you do this.
Student Work
Not
only will your boss check to see you are on task and your students engaged, he
or she will check to see if you have any of your students’ work displayed. Be
sure to hang some student work somewhere in your classroom or outside of your
door.
Meaningful Lesson
Your
principal will also check to make sure your lessons are meaningful and
relevant. Some lessons are cute, but they don’t go with your curriculum. If
this is the case, don’t waste your time teaching them. They will count as a
strike against you.
Readily Available
Lesson Plans
Keep
your lesson plans in a place that you can find them at a moment’s notice. Your
principal may ask to see these when he or she stops by to evaluate you.
Don’t
be caught off guard. Be prepared for walk-through and other evaluations from
your principal.
