Collecting Data during Informal INSTRUCTION

what to expect for informal teaching

Your pre-service teacher has spent countless hours drafting and revising formal lesson plans to prepare for this experience. However, we know that much of what you do does not require this level of preparation.

What counts as informal teaching?

Your Teacher Candidate will not need to create a complete lesson plan for many activities, such as the following:

• Reading aloud to the class without a formal lesson

• Tutoring small groups of students on a spontaneous basis

• Daily tasks, such as taking attendance, going over "do now" board work, reviewing homework, or writing in student agendas

• Computer-based lessons where the teacher is merely acting as a guide and offering technical support

• Assessments, tests, and quizzes (although these could be included in a student's lesson or unit plan)

• Any other activities that you believe do not require a lesson plan

What about evaluating my Teacher Candidate?

Evaluating your Teacher Candidate's ability to do formal teaching will come when you complete the CPAST evaluation midway through and at the end of the semester. In the meantime, please DO provide informal feedback, tips, and suggestions on a regular basis. Feel free to use the CPAST form to collect data while making informal observations of your candidate.

For example, when your Teacher Candidate is administering a test, remind them to walk around the room to be available to help students and prevent cheating. If your Teacher Candidate reads a text aloud to the class using a flat, un-animated affect, have them practice with you after the students leave. If your Teacher Candidate is reluctant to enforce rules with the students, discuss ways to increase confidence around classroom management.

When you give informal tips throughout the day, you are essentially coaching your Teacher Candidate. As the coach, you will need to provide many reminders until your Teacher Candidate develops their skills. If you deliver your suggestions with a positive, growth-mindset outlook, your Teacher Candidate will likely rise to the occasion.

What can I ask for if the teaching is informal?

Just because the teaching is informal does not mean that you can't ask for a written plan. It is up to you to decide how much or how little you want your Teacher Candidate to provide to you in writing. Ask yourself: What would I need to see to know that my Teacher Candidate is capable of this teaching task?

You can also have a discussion with your Teacher Candidate about the informal teaching that will be done. You should feel comfortable with what is happening in your classroom, and a simple conversation can ensure that your Teacher Candidate's informal plan is in alignment with your goals.

Perhaps you have a system that you use to keep track of your informal lessons. If so, teach your system to your Teacher Candidate and ask that it be used. You might even ask your Teacher Candidate to plan a series of specific informal lessons, such as "do now" activities or homework review, by jotting ideas down in a lesson planning book for you to review.

For more information about formal lesson planning, please visit the Formal Instruction and Observations page on this site.