The CLASS Assessment: A Simple Guide for VPK/Preschool Teachers

Andrea Alvarez
Aug 31
3 min read

Updated: 22 hours ago

If you’re a VPK/Preschool teacher, you have probably heard about the CLASS assessment (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) and may have even felt a little overwhelmed by it.

The truth is, CLASS isn’t about adding extra work to your day—it’s about capturing the quality of the interactions you already have with your students.

Let’s break it down into simple terms and show you how it naturally fits into a typical VPK day.

What is CLASS?

CLASS measures teacher-student interactions in three broad domains:

Emotional Support – How you create a warm, positive, and respectful classroom climate.
Classroom Organization – How you keep routines, transitions, and behavior running smoothly.
Instructional Support – How you encourage thinking, problem-solving, and language development.

Applying CLASS Throughout a VPK Day

1. Morning Arrival – Emotional Support

When children walk in, greet them individually. A smile, a hug, or a cheerful “I’m so glad you’re here!” sets the tone. If a child is upset, kneel to their level, validate their feelings (“I see you’re sad. Do you want to sit with me until you’re ready to play?”), and guide them gently into the day.CLASS Connection: Positive Climate & Teacher Sensitivity

2. Circle Time – Instructional Support

During a story, instead of just reading, ask open-ended questions:

“Why do you think the character did that?”
“What would you do if you were in the story?”

When introducing letters or numbers, encourage children to explain their thinking:

“You picked the letter M—how did you know it was M?” CLASS Connection: Concept Development & Quality of Feedback

3. Learning Centers – Classroom Organization & Instructional Support

Centers are a perfect opportunity for both organization and learning.

Keep materials labeled and accessible so children know where things belong (smooth transitions = strong organization).
Join children in play with intentional questions:
- In the block center: “What could you do to make your tower stronger?”
- In dramatic play: “What happens next in your restaurant?”CLASS Connection: Behavior Management, Productivity, Concept Development

4. Transitions – Classroom Organization

Transitions don’t have to be chaotic. Use songs, games, or movement cues. Example: “If you’re wearing red, line up first!” or “Let’s pretend we’re butterflies flying to the carpet.”CLASS Connection: Instructional Learning Formats & Behavior Management

5. Outdoor Play – Emotional & Instructional Support

Outdoor time is more than recess—it’s a chance to interact meaningfully.

Encourage teamwork: “Can you both figure out how to move this big ball across the playground?”
Acknowledge effort: “I saw how hard you tried to climb. You kept going until you made it to the top!”CLASS Connection: Regard for Student Perspectives, Quality of Feedback

6. End of the Day – Emotional Support

Wrap up with a group reflection: “What was your favorite part of today?” or “What is something new you learned?” Saying goodbye individually helps children leave with a sense of connection. CLASS Connection: Positive Climate & Regard for Student Perspectives

CLASS isn’t about perfection—it’s about being intentional in how we connect, guide, and support learning. When you look closely, you’ll realize you’re already doing many of these things every day.

By making small adjustments—like asking more open-ended questions or smoothing transitions—you’ll strengthen both your teaching and your CLASS score.

How to Make CLASS Easier Every Day

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to do well on CLASS. By planning lessons that naturally build in emotional support, smooth routines, and strong instructional strategies, you’ll feel prepared and confident every day.

That’s exactly why I created my 10-Month VPK Lesson Plan Bundle.

It’s designed to:

✅ Align with VPK standards

✅ Build in opportunities for CLASS-friendly interactions

✅ Give you engaging literacy, math, and theme-based activities

✅ Save you hours of planning so you can focus on connecting with your kids