WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL.
We hope you will enjoy your visit with us today. Here are some guidelines to help you get the most out of your classroom observation.

Although our students are accustomed to having visitors, the presence of a new person in the classroom always has an effect on the students and on the classroom atmosphere. The less obtrusive you are, the more natural the children will be. You will be invited to sit in an observation chair, which will bring you down to the child’s level of perspective and give you an overall view of the room.

We ask that you follow these suggestions to minimize your impact on the functioning of the classroom and to allow your observation to give you as realistic a picture as possible.

• Please turn off cell phones and pagers.
• Do not chew gum.
• Please remain seated.

(If you are an educator from another school and wish to move about the classroom, please ask the teacher’s permission to do so.)

Please try to avoid direct eye contact with the child(ren) you are observing, so as not to distract them from their work.

If a child approaches you to ask a question or show you something, please respond quietly and briefly. Accept their courtesy in a friendly manner, but do not detain them.

Teachers will approach you with a greeting; however, please refrain from interrupting their work with the children and please understand that they are not able to converse with you at this time.

Most days begin with a circle meeting from which the students transition into a “work period.” Direct instruction in various subjects is mainly given in small groups and individually; occasionally the teachers will lead a whole class discussion or lesson.
After you have gotten a sense of the class and how it functions, we suggest you note the following:

• General setting and tone

• How much activity initiated by children and how much by adults

• Preparation of the classroom

• Interactions between children

• Variety of activities taking place

• Tone of interactions between child and teacher

• Concentration level and span

• Role of teacher as observer, participant, role-model, and guide

• Freedom of movement and degree

• Ability of child to follow through of independence in choice of tasks and complete a task.
During your observation, please write down any questions that occur to you. Your feedback is important to us. At the conclusion of your observation, the Director of Admissions will be happy to answer them. We appreciate your interest in our programs, and hope that Topanga Montessori Preschool will be the right fit for your child.

Thank you for visiting today.