Elementary classroom observation form

Focus on collecting evidence rather than making judgments during your observation. The form’s four sections are equally important, but pay special attention to the connections between teacher actions and student responses. Note specific examples of teaching strategies and their immediate impact on student engagement and understanding to provide the most valuable feedback.

Use the form to document specific classroom management challenges objectively. After observation, highlight positive management techniques you observed while gently noting areas for growth. Work collaboratively to identify 1-2 specific strategies to implement before your next observation. The “Teacher Effectiveness” section provides targeted indicators that can guide your coaching conversations around behavior management.

Yes, sharing the form beforehand creates transparency and reduces anxiety. When teachers understand the observation criteria, they can self-reflect on their practice using the same framework. Just be clear that the observation should capture authentic teaching.

Record specific, observable evidence for each indicator rather than vague impressions. For example, to describe that students are engaged, you can say, “8 of 10 students actively participated in the discussion by raising hands and building on peers’ comments.” This evidence-based approach keeps observations factual and provides teachers with actionable information.

For special education settings, adjust the “Differentiation is evident” indicator to include specific accommodations and modifications relevant to students’ IEPs. Add a section addressing how well the teacher implements specialized instructional strategies and supports. Consider extending the “Student Learning” section to include progress monitoring specific to individual student goals rather than grade-level standards alone.