Pineapple Charts
I cannot agree with this statement more! Some of the best pedagogic learning happens by watching other teachers teach. Whether we watch other teachers and learn new instructional techniques, or whether we watch them and use it as a springboard to reflect on our own practice, both result in personal growth as educators. Gonzalez and Barnes also suggest that watching others teachers builds rapport and refreshes our practice. So, open those doors!
But... Teachers are so busy! We don't often have more than a few minutes to spare. How can we know what is going on, at a glance, in our building so that we can observe something for a little bit of time and move on with our action packed day?
The pineapple is a traditional symbol of welcome. A Pineapple Chart, therefore, is a systematic way to welcome teachers into classrooms in one central place. By having a calendar where teachers can post if they are doing something worth watching, other teachers know that the door is open to visitors. You create a chart divided into days and possibly time periods, and then hang it in a central location in a high traffic area. Every week, teachers could add times where they are trying a new instructional strategy, or using a tech tool, or perhaps celebrating a unit.
If teachers see something on the board, then they know they have permission to stop by and informally observe, even if just for a few minutes. Teachers can choose the lens that they need to use (behavior management, instructional strategy, tech integration, etc.). The best part is that the TEACHERS get to decide what and when they want to observe. It is completely optional.
A few words of advice from Barnes and Gonzalez:
Make sure everyone is clear that this is INFORMAL, not formal, observations.
Seek out people who are willing to put their name on the wall, and who will also go and observe lessons for short periods of time, to get things started.
Keep it optional, but encourage people.
Give staff a change to reflect or give feedback after a visit.
