5-10 minute demo lesson- Help!

[2468teacher]

I have been asked to do a 5-10 minute demo lesson on video as part of an interview process. I don't need to show the kids. They just want to see me teach.

I am a little lost. I have never done this before. Any ideas to make me stand out. I am a fourth grade elementary teacher.

So I suppose they want to see lesson objecives, a variety of visual aids and questions. But all in 5 to 10 minutes. I guess I am wondering what are the main things they will look for. Its funny, I suppose I should know the answer to this. ha ha.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

[PsyGuy]

These are more common at ESs or bilingual schools, where a demo lesson is a standard part of the interview process.
What they want to see is your presentation/delivery so about 10 minutes worth of "push" or lecture. I would avoid using actual students, and advise you stage the demonstration in an empty classroom. Its basically a speech and what they are looking for is an audible, pleasant delivery with a natural, organic flow that minimizes back time (your back to the audience). It doesnt matter the topic but a language or literacy demonstration is least likely to have problems.

[martalin]

whole class reading or writing mini-lesson, small group reading or writing strategy lesson, individual reading or writing conferences could all be done in ten minutes or less. I would advise using students.

[PsyGuy]

I would advise against using students because of legal and policy implications at the DS you are likely doing the demo at, since you are not already an IT, you likely will have potentially problematic issues regarding student privacy, etc. that you have to consider as well as what policy requirements of the district/local authority you may need to obtain. Its a lot of work if you have to get a release from every parent for every student in the class and submit it with a proposal to the district/local authority for recording of the event since its for personal use.
Since they dont want/need to see students, its much easier to do it with an empty room.

[martalin]

another option is to leave students out of the shot but still include the audio.

[PsyGuy]

Recording audio is still recording, its a record, and may have the same requirements as video recording, all of which will require inquiries and potentially a lot of work. No students, no issues*.


* If you are using your DSs classroom there may be a policy regarding any recording on the campus property. This is a lot easier to ask and get permission generally.