Need advice on my first demo lesson! UPDATE: I survived!

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could share some advice with me about what will be expected of me during a demo lesson. I had an interview last week, and I just got a phone call today to prepare a demo lesson for Thursday. This will be the first time I'm doing this, so I'm kind of nervous, mostly because I'm having trouble getting started with my lesson plan because I'm not really sure what they will want to see. I will have 30 minutes in a 4th grade classroom, and I was told to do a literacy lesson. I had an idea to gear my lesson towards practice for the upcoming ELA exam by reading the class a story, having them take notes, and then do an activity. I'd like to have them work in groups first and then also write something independently. But I'm not sure if I can fit all of that in within just 30 minutes. Should try to just shorten it, and then include how I would have extended the lesson in my plans? Also, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to read the story to the class because I've heard that principals and superintendents don't want to have their time wasted by just listening to a read aloud. Is this true? I'm not really sure how I can teach a literacy lesson without reading something to the class.
Any suggestions would really be appreciated! I think it would help me a lot just to know if I'm on the right track or not.
TIA!

UPDATE:
I think it went well! I fit everything in my lesson plan into the 30 minutes, & I actually had fun with the lesson! So I hoped that showed to my observers. I won't find out if I made it to the next round of interviews until next week, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks again for the advice!

first u should pick a reading comprehension skill...like main idea, cause and effect, sequencing, ect... then find a good book that use on that skill

My principal doesnt like when u read the whole book (it depends on the person tho!) So I would just read a portion of the book that really focuses on the skill

You should have the kids on the carpet or whatever for 10-15minutes...you introduce the skill, read the postion of the book (discussing the skill)

Then they go back to their seats to work on the activity that u give them

Then a quick share and conclusion

Since they want something to do with the ELA tests I would def have a graphic organizer as part of your mini lesson and one as part of their independent/group activity

I'm sorry...I just wanted to say good luck to you!!! I'm a teacher, but I'm a math teacher...so I can't really help you with the literacy part...well maybe I can lol! Are you familiar with the state standards for 4th gr ELA? It sounds as if you are, but if not go on the state website first to make sure your lesson is aligned with them...also I don't see a problem with reading aloud because one of the standards is to learn how to take notes from listening. You could read them a nonfictional passage...find something that appeals to 4th graders

Make sure to include some type of technology (powerpoint as motivator?)
Also, include differentiation, says the special ed. teacher
Don't be nervous, the kids aren't judging you! Pretend the observers aren't there.
Show your classroom management by telling them your expectations for them during your lesson

GOOD LUCK, let us know how you did!

is this for a city school?
they will definietly like to see balanced literacy...your focus should be on a particular skill with the use of a reading strategy
u can fm me if u need more help

Thank you so much for the advice ladies! I'm still trying to narrow down the ideas I have for what to do for the lesson. It would be so much easier if I knew the class and what they are currently studying! When I student taught I would always tailor my lessons to meet the needs of each one of my students, and I won't be able to do that without knowing them.
At least I'm comfortable with teaching ELA lessons, now it's just a matter of narrowing it down!

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Posted by GraceAndAdam

Thank you so much for the advice ladies! I'm still trying to narrow down the ideas I have for what to do for the lesson. It would be so much easier if I knew the class and what they are currently studying! When I student taught I would always tailor my lessons to meet the needs of each one of my students, and I won't be able to do that without knowing them.
At least I'm comfortable with teaching ELA lessons, now it's just a matter of narrowing it down!

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Pick a skill like determining main idea and just read a short passage. they should all be able to do that. its hard to differentiate when you dont know the kids so maybe you can give them a choice of activities or a very simple thing to do is conference with a group. Try to relax during your lesson and it should go great - good luck!

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Posted by jenn122397

is this for a city school?
they will definietly like to see balanced literacy...your focus should be on a particular skill with the use of a reading strategy
u can fm me if u need more help

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It's not for a city school, but I am planning on focusing on a particular skill. I'm leaning towards finding an interesting short story to read them, but I just won't read them the ending. Then I can have them use their inferencing skills to make a prediction about how the story will end. I can have them brainstorm in groups for a few minutes, and then write their own endings. I just don't know if that's too simple or boring.

You don't have to know them to differentiate. Just show amount of independent activities that you can tailor to each student. Hi/Lo abilitities. Def. have this in your lesson plan that you'll give them. You don't necessarily have to do all parts of your lesson, but as long as you have them on the paper you hand in.
If you're going to do a KWL, ask for volunteers and you can tell who's going to need more assistance when you're walking around while their during their independent work.
Are you going to give them a strategy for comprehension and then give them a passage? Maybe if you had a few passages, long, average, shorter version and ask the teacher to give the different papers out, she'll know who to give them to.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!! Please let us know what happens....