21 Classroom Walkthrough Tips

Denise Burson
Feb 09, 2009

"Inconsistent implementation of exemplary strategies is a malfunction of accountability and the major obstacle to school improvement." Richard Elmore-Harvard

Principals greatly benefit when they understand research-based teaching strategies, recognize strengths in their teachers' practice, and note areas that need improvement. Walkthroughs and conferencing are primary responsibilities for instructional leaders. (Glickman)

The classroom Walkthrough process provides administrators an opportunity to collect data that reveal how Learning-Focused is impacting classroom instruction and student learning.

Tips for Successful Walkthroughs

1. Conduct a Walkthrough meeting with the staff. This meeting sets the stage for the Walkthrough and establishes clear expectations for the staff.
2. Identify the type of data to be collected and gather data during the Walkthrough.
3. Connect the "look-fors" to establish standards. This is an important step for developing a common language for staff and for establishing a matching set of indicators around instruction and learning.
4. Make a commitment to visit at least five classrooms for five minutes every day (5 x 5's).
5. Make time for Walkthroughs. Have your mail and email sorted before you read it.
6. Place non-essential operational items second.
7. Restructure support staff procedures dealing with appropriate issues.
8. Develop options for dealing with students sent to the office for discipline.
9. Move from morning supervision to classrooms...save the office for later.
10. Use the Learning-Focused Monitoring Guide and flipchart.
11. Look for evidence that supports the Lesson Essential Question (student work on display, work students are engage in, teacher questions, student responses).
12. Schedule classroom visits  -no calls, no interruptions.
13. Train the school secretary to know where you are, and to answer your calls saying you are in classrooms observing teaching and learning when you are not in the office.
14. Create a Walkthrough calendar, and share it with the staff and secretary.
15. Have the secretary remind you/interrupt when it is time to leave the office for classroom visits.
16. Meet parents' request by having the secretary set appointments/phone calls.
17. Establish with the secretary a protocol for handling parent request for appointments and parent phone calls.
18. Publish the principal's schedule to parents in the newsletter (available meeting time)
19. Observe student behaviors that impact learning.
20. Take a camera. At faculty meetings share snapshots of effective teaching and learning.
21. 50% of the time use "Ask Abouts" and follow-up questions. If teachers can discuss their lessons and activities with you for a few minutes when you see them at bus duty, lunch duty, in    the hallway, when they come to your office, etc... you will gain a lot of knowledge of their understanding of the school's instructional goals and expected practices.

For more information refer to the Learning-Focused Monitoring Suite.