Simpson College Student Teaching Orientation Checklist
Do as many of the following activities during the first week or two of student teaching. Complete a separate checklist for each student teaching placement. In the spaces provided, write the dates that you completed each activity. Ask your college supervisor if he/she wants you to see this checklist, but be sure to include each checklist in your portfolio. Also, please see if your mentor needs a paper version of the handbook (always available online). If so, attain and deliver one by the end of the first week.
I. Orientation with Building & Materials
____ Toured building
____ Observed lunchroom
____ Observed hallways during passing time
____ Toured media center
____ Received orientation to A.V. & photocopying equipment & procedures
____ Examined relevant curriculum materials: texts, tradebooks, maps, etc.
____ Located "In-School Suspension" (ISS) room, "Time Away", "Time-out", or
Counselor’s room.
____ Located nurse's office
____ Located copies of the relevant curriculum guides
____ Obtained copy of the Faculty Handbook
____ Obtained copy of the Student Handbook
____ Other:
____ Other:
____ Other:
II. Discussion with Mentoring Teacher(s)
A. School policies
____ Discipline & management
____ Daily schedules, including special schedules
____ Fire drill, tornado drill, etc.
____ Absences
____ Injuries/illness reporting
B. Room policies
____ Classroom rules
____ Special needs students
____ Cultural/language issues
____ Record keeping procedures
____ Student grouping
____ Use of curricular materials
____ Other:
____ Other:
____ Other:
____ Other:
III. Orientation with other School Personnel
____ Met & talked with principal
____ Met & talked with counselor(s)
____ Met & talked with team leader or department head
____ Met & talked with special education & resource teachers
____ Met & talked with librarian
____ Met & talked with relevant paraprofessionals
____ Met school nurse
____ Met secretaries
____ Met custodians
____ Met lunch room staff
____ Other:
____ Other:
IV. Observation of Mentoring Teacher(s)
____ Lecture/discussion
____ Projects
____ Problem solving activities
____ Experiments
____ Demonstrations
____ Questioning techniques
____ Pacing of lessons
____ Use of A.V. equipment, e.g. video and overheads
____ Use of supplemental materials
____ Use of other displays: writing on board, audio-tapes, etc.
____ Techniques to keep students engaged
____ Techniques to keep students on-task
____ Other:
____ Other:
____ Other:
V. Contact information
____ Obtained mentor teacher's or teachers' home phone # (s).
____ Completed "Student teacher's Schedule" form (secondary only)
____ Obtained the school's phone #
____ Obtained the college supervisor's phone #'s (work & home)
____ Obtained the supervisor's e-mail address
____ Located and bookmarked the Student Teaching NiceNet Site