Shadow Session 4: Observation and Adaptation

Session 4 of 4 in the Shadow Protocol (Fundamentals). Read this before the class, then do the quiz and reflection after it.

What to Watch For

• What is the coach watching for during games? Try to follow their eyes and attention.
• When do they decide to change the game vs add a concept vs keep the same game running? What triggers the decision?
• How does the coach give individual feedback while walking the room? How long do they spend with each pair?
• Does the coach give live feedback during rounds? If so, is it quick and focused, or does it pull students out of the game?

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For the Lead Coach

After class, spend five minutes on these:

• Describe what you were watching during games. This is invisible to most observers. Were you watching for a specific pattern? Were you scanning for safety? Were you tracking whether your last teaching point was landing? Make the invisible visible.
• Explain an adaptation you made. Did you change a game, add a concept, or shift the energy? Why? What tipped you off? Lemov distinguishes between "I taught it" and "they learned it." How were you checking whether students were actually learning, not just participating?
• Ask them what they'd have done differently. This is the most important question. It forces them to think like a coach, not just an observer. There's no wrong answer. The point is to get them making coaching decisions in their head before they have to make them in the room.

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After the Session: Quiz and Reflection

Do this after you've shadowed the class, not before.