Atlantic Montessori Charter School
What I Expect When I Walk In
A classroom walkthrough checklist — what administrators look for on any given day.
How to use this: This is what I'm looking for when I walk into your classroom — whether it's a scheduled walkthrough or a quick pop-in. You don't need to be doing all of these at the same moment, but these are the observable practices I expect to see across the week. Use this as a daily self-check.
The Moment I Walk In
Instructional Design & Lesson Planning
What your lesson plan shows me
A.1 — Standards-aligned instruction at the right rigor for your grade level
A.2 — Lesson builds on prior knowledge — concepts are sequenced logically
A.3 — Activities are clearly focused on the main concept, not scattered
A.4 — You're checking for understanding during the lesson, not just at the end
A.5 — Differentiation is visible — you're meeting different student needs
A.6 — Students are applying skills, not just listening or copying
The Learning Environment
What the classroom feels and looks like
B.1 — Maximizing learning time — smooth transitions, minimal downtime
B.2 — High expectations communicated — students know they can succeed
B.3 — You're monitoring learning and giving immediate feedback
B.4 — Respect for all cultures, backgrounds, and diverse needs visible
B.5 — Climate of openness, fairness, and support — students feel safe
B.6 — Behavior managed proactively — clear routines, consistent and equitable
Instructional Delivery & Facilitation
What your teaching looks like in action
C.1 — Deep content knowledge — you teach it accurately and with rigor
C.2 — Learning goals stated clearly; real-life connections made
C.3 — You identify and address gaps in student understanding
C.4 — You adjust instruction when students show misconceptions
C.5 — Varied strategies and technology used — not just one method
C.6 — Higher-order questioning — pushing students to think critically
Assessment
How you know they're learning
D.1 — You use data from multiple assessments to drive instruction
D.2 — Assessments match the learning objective and standards rigor
D.3 — Multiple assessment tools used to monitor each student's progress
D.4 — Assessments adjusted for different learning styles and levels
D.5 — Students and parents receive progress information regularly
D.6 — Technology used to organize and use assessment data
How I Mark Each Indicator
A walkthrough is a snapshot — not a judgment.
I can't see everything in one visit. If something is marked "not observed," it doesn't mean it's not happening — it means I didn't see it this time.
Atlantic Montessori Charter School
Learn • Lead • Soar
