F I R S T M AT H

The First Five Years of Mathematics Teaching

A study of novice teachers development of mathematical knowledge for teaching and
the influence of previous preparation, school context and opportunities to learn-on-the-job

Re: 10 snapshots
In the Phil, a math lesson is done in 45 - 60
minutes. Thus, it is anticipated that observers
will find it difficult to have 10 snapshots in a
class.
Recommendation:
3
snapshots
(1
during
preparation - motivation, review, etc., 1 during
lesson proper, and 1 during assessment)

FIRSTMATH
NOVICE TEACHER
OBSERVATION
Copyright 2012 FIRSTMATH. Michigan State University
1

FIRSTMATH CLASSROOM OBSERVATION PROTOCOL

The FIRSTMATH classroom observation protocol is an instrument designed to collect information in
FIRSTMATH classrooms. It mainly combines protocols developed by experts in the educational field to collect
information about how teachers use classroom time and what strategies uses to teach mathematics. Thus, the
Stallings method system, the Mathematical Quality of Instruction of the Learning Mathematics for Teaching
project (LTT), and the Instructional Quality Assessment (IQA) provided the main inputs to come up with this
observation protocol.
The protocol is divided in three sections: observations using an adaptation of the Stallings method also called 10
classroom teaching snapshots, a record of mathematics-oriented activities by the teacher, and a holistic
evaluation. All these activities are to be completed by an observer in one mathematics class.

First
Section

Second
section

Third
section

Description
Includes the classroom
observation sheet and a box
to draw the classroom
arrangement

Instructions
To complete the classroom observation sheet follow the
instructions provided in the Stallings Observation System. See
www.eddataglobal.org/embedded/stallings_snapshot.doc
Regarding the classroom layout the drawing must include the
following: student seats, teacher desk/station, door(s), windows (if
any), place (s) where books, supplies, etc. are stored (if
applicable), computers (if any), and any other locations/classroom
elements that are important to your students. After drawing the seat
arrangement write a B if the student is a boy or a G if the student is
a girl.

This section contains two

parts: observation collected
with Stallings methods and
observation with emphasis in
mathematics. The aim of
Stallings methods is
collecting information about
how teachers spend
classroom time. The
observation with emphasis on
mathematics seeks to collect
data about the kind of
mathematical activities
teacher (s) and students are
engaged.
Holistic evaluation about
mathematics lesson based on
a rating of task demands.

In general terms, the protocol requires that the observer complete

ten snapshots over the entire class period. Each snapshot is
intended to collect information about what the teacher and students
are doing in a period of time. The period of time for each snapshot
will depend on how long the class period will last. For instance, if
the class period is 40 minutes, then each snapshot must record
information about what happens in the classroom every 4 minutes.
The observation with emphasis in mathematics requires
completing two questions (about segments of a lesson and
mathematical activities). They require transcriptions of what
teachers are working on in class. These questions also must be
completed during each snapshot.
This information must be completed at the end of the observation.

FIRSTMATH CLASROOM OBSERVATION PROTOCOL

FIRST SECTION

FILL THE INFORMATION BELOW ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL FOR THE STALLING
METHODS.
CLASS ROOM INFORMATION SHEET (SNAPSHOT COVER SHEET)
Day
Month
1.DATE OF OBSERVATION (MM/DD/YY)
2. DURATION OF OBSERVATION

Year

Minutes

3. NAME & ADDRESS OF SCHOOL_____________

____________________________________________
____________________________________________

4. SCHOOL CODE

6. OBSERVER NAME _________________________

7. OBSERVER CODE

8. TEACHER NAME __________________________

9. TEACHER CODE

10. GRADE OBSERVED

11. SUBJECT______________________________

To

12. NO. OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CLASS

13. NO. OF STUDENTS PRESENT IN THE CLASS

5. STATE/REGION_________________________

Total

Of Which Girls

Total

Of Which Girls

14. PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS USING TEXTBOOKS

15. WHAT TIME WAS CLASS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN

16. WHAT TIME DID CLASS ACTUALLY BEGIN

17. WHAT TIME WAS CLASS SUPPOSED TO END

18. WHAT TIME DID CLASS ACTUALLY END

19. Log: Mention any special events, problems with coding this sheet, abnormal activities etc

Draw the classroom arrangement in the box below. This drawing must include the following: student
seats, teacher desk/station, door(s), windows (if any), place(s) where books, supplies, etc. are stored (if
applicable), computers (if any), and any other locations/classroom elements that are important to your
students. In each students sit type B is the student is a boy and type G if the student is a girl.

Observations: (Please, write any comment you have about classroom arrangement)

SECOND SECTION

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 1

______

STARTING TIME:
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 2

:______

STARTING TIME
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 3

______

STARTING TIME:
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

10

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 4

_______

STARTING TIME:
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

11

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

12

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 5

______

STARTING TIME:
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

13

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

14

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 6

:

STARTING TIME
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

15

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

16

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 7

TIME :

STARTING
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

17

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

18

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 8

______

STARTING TIME:
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

19

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

20

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 9

TIME:______

STARTING
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

21

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

22

CLASSROOM OBSERVATION SNAPSHOT N 10

______

STARTING TIME:
MATERIALS

ACTIVITY

No
Material
/None

Books

Notebook
/Paper
/Pencil

Chalk
board/
Blackboard

Manipu
lative

Visual Aides/
Computer
/Calculator

Cooperative

1. Reading Aloud

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

2. Instruction
Demonstration/Lecture

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

3. Discussion

T
I
T
I

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE
1SLE
1SLE

5. Kinesthetic/Projects

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

6. Silent Seatwork

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

7. Copying

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

8. Verbal Instruction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

9. Other

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

1SLE
1SLE

10. Social Interaction

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

11. Student Uninvolved

1SLE

12. Discipline

1SLE

13.Classroom
Management

T
I

1SLE
1SLE

4. Practice/Drill

14. Teacher Social Interaction/Uninvolved

15. Teacher Mgmt.

16. Teacher out of Room

T=teacher; I=students working independently without teacher; 1=1 student; S=small group; L=large group; E=whole group

23

OBSERVATION WITH EMPHASIS IN MATHEMATICS

Please, answer the following questions. (In the Y/N column write Y if it was observed and N if it was
not observed). Also provide a detailed description of each activity. In the description section provide
details of the activities such as verbatim transcription of classroom interaction and transcription of the
tasks.
1. Which of the following segments of a lesson were observed in this snapshot?
Y/N
Description
a. Review, warm up or
homework
b. Introducing major task
c. Student work
time
d. Synthesis or closure
e. Non academic
2. Did the instructor enact the following activities during this snapshot?
Y/N

Description

a. Teacher poses strategic

questions
b. Teacher elicits student
description and explanations
c. Teacher manages
collective work
d. Teacher deploys
manipulatives and other
concrete models to represent
mathematical ideas
e. Teacher models procedures
f. Teacher poses a task or
problem to develop
conceptual understanding
g. Teachers encourages
analyzing representations
h. Teacher provides the
arguments and answers
instead of students
i. Teacher circulates while
students are working
independently
j. Providing sufficient time to
explore (not too little, not too
much).
k. Non academic

24

THIRD SECTION

HOLISTIC EVALUATION
AFTER COMPLETING THE SNAPSHOTS REQUIRED, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS FOR THE WHOLE LESSON.
1. Which of the following contents were worked in the observed lesson? (Write a check in every row)
Primary focus

Secondary
focus

Not addressed

a. Number concepts
b. Operations
c. Geometry
d. Measurement
e. Probability
f. Data
g. Discrete
math/Combinatory
h. Patterns, functions,
and algebra
i. Money, time, and
calendar
j. Percent, ratio, and
proportion
2. Implementation of the task.
Based on the rating below, how you would rate this lesson? Write the score: _________

4
3

N/A

Students engage in using complex and non-algorithmic thinking or by exploring and

understanding the nature of mathematics concepts, procedures, and/or relationships
Students engage in complex thinking or in creating meaning for mathematical procedures and
concepts V=BUT the problems, concepts, or procedures do not require the extent of complex
thinking as a 4.
OR
The potential of the task was rated as 4 but students only moderately engage with the highlevel demands of the task.
Students engage with the task at a procedural level. Students apply a demonstrated of
prescribed procedure. Students may be required to show or state the steps of their procedure,
but are not required to explain or support their ideas. Students focus on correctly executing a
procedure to obtain a correct answer.
Students engage with the task at memorization level. Students are required to recall facts,
formulas, or rules (e.g., students provide answers only)
OR
The task requires no mathematical activity
(Explain reason)

25

3. Students discussion following the task.

Based on the rating below, how you would rate this lesson? Write the score: _________

1
N/A

Students show/describe written work and provide complete and thorough explanations of why
their strategy, idea, or procedure is valid. Students explain why their strategy works and/or is
appropriate for the problem by making connections to the underlying mathematical ideas
(e.g., I divided because we needed equal groups).
OR
Students show/discuss more than one strategy or representation* for solving the task, and
provides explanations of how/why the different strategies/representations / mathematical
ideas were used to solve the task and/or make connections between strategies / representations
/mathematical ideas.
Students show/describe written work and attempt to provide explanations of why their
strategy, idea, or procedure is valid. BUT the explanations are incomplete, incoherent, or lack
precision (e.g., student responses often require extended press from the teacher).
OR
Students show/discuss more than one strategy or representation* for solving the task.
Students may provide explanations of how the different strategies/representations were used
to solve the task, but do not show connections nor explain why the strategy/representation was
valid.
Students show/describe written work for solving the task (e.g., the steps for a multiplication
problem, finding an average, or solving an equation; what they did first, second, etc) but do
not explain why their strategy or procedure works and/or was appropriate for the problem;
OR
Students show/discuss only one strategy or representation* for solving the task.
Students provide brief or one-word answers (e.g., fill in blanks);
OR
Students responses are non-mathematical
(Explain reason)

Thanks!!

26