[Intentional Focused Observation] IFO8 (Made 2024 Fall Semester)

Mr. Earle understands his students and their level of education and understanding, so when he interprets their work and provides feedback, it is at that level, however I also find that he underestimates his students. When I provided them with guided notes that required them to do more than just fill in the blank, to write full sentences as I lectured, they all did so much better than I expected and showed that they were capable of following along and writing things down in a more pedagogically powerful way than fill in the blanks. This squares with my understanding that students rise to the level teachers place on them, to the labels that they perceive are placed on them. I provided them with trust and belief that they could do more than just fill in the blank notes and I was rewarded, and if I had the ability to keep at it and to work with them and develop their ability to do my style of guided notes, I’m certain I could get them all to master them aside from, perhaps, the one girl who almost never does her work even when being worked with one on one.

How can I determine what level my students are actually at so as to avoid the errors of Mr. Earle? How can I deal with students like the one I mentioned above who refuse to participate? How can I work to build my students' ability to do short answer guided notes up instead of just throwing them into the deep end?

If I put trust in my students I will be rewarded, and students respond well when given challenges rather than bland or easy assignments and/or notes. Students appreciate when you talk to them on their level and interpret their work fairly rather than talking down to them and acting like they are at a higher level than they could possibly be at.

HERE’S WHAT? What did I notice in the classroom?	SO WHAT? Implications for my teaching practice and the learning of my students?	NOW WHAT? What are my next steps? Next Day / Next Week / Next Month
Students rise to challenges when given the chance, but need scaffolds to meet those challenges perfectly.	I need to find ways to scaffold my guided notes.	Prepare smaller guided notes sheets and easy to understand instructions for students to use to get used to my style of guided notes.