What Should You Focus Your Attention On Between October - December


What should school administrator’s focus on between October and December to impact the classroom-learning environment in a positive manner?

  • Complete multiple 3-5 minute focus walks in classrooms. These walks are designed to target specific areas of teaching and give teachers immediate feedback. The following should be among the things administrators should assess during these walks.
  • Time on task and transition – teachers should have all materials laid out and ready to go before class begins. There should be little time spent getting settled and ready for the days lesson.
  • Class procedures – students should know the procedure of the classroom and should walk in understanding what they should do to get prepared for learning. Few to no questions on procedures should be asked at this time.
  • Check the lesson plan – teachers should be teaching from a planned, organized set of standards, with activities and assessments outlined.
  • Lesson – if administrators come in at the beginning of the lesson, teachers should review the previous lesson, introduce the new lesson, provide whole group instruction/discussion, move to the activities/strategies, which allow students to work individually or in small groups. Teachers are able to work with small groups of students for better and more in-depth understanding. At the end of the lesson, teachers should close or summary the lesson and project what will happen during the next lesson.
  • All students should be engaged in the lesson. Teachers should call on an equal number of boys and girls; they should call students who raise their hands as well as those who might not volunteer to answer questions.
  • Should students give an incorrect answer, the teacher should probe to help the student understand why that thinking is not accurate.
  • Resources - teachers should be using the appropriate resources.



A short review of this 3-5 minute walk through should be give to the teacher by the end of the day. Expectations should be set on how the teacher can correct the needed areas. Make sure you highlight the areas where the teacher is strong and is doing a great job.


Administrators should talk to parents in small groups and conference calls for those unable to attend the small groups. Parents should know what they can do to assist their child with improving their academics and behavior, if necessary.

  • Ask parents to assist children with homework. If they are unable to assist, target these students for after school or Saturday tutorial sessions.
  • Ask parents to read to or with their children 30 minutes to an hour each day. This should be beyond homework. Suggest they read grade-level material and ask thought provoking questions about the reading.

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