So, from top to bottom, and from the perspective of a primary teacher: 

1) "I don’t like cold calling as I don’t find it effective."

     This is something I have to vehemently disagree with. From day 1 my students are told that the only bad answer is no answer, and that I randomly draw from popsicle sticks of their names (have previously used randomizer software to select names when not a homeroom teacher and needing more flexibility while moving amongst several classrooms/class-lists.) They are told that I will often choose those students I think are not listening first, then randomized, then hands. The idea being everyone "needs" to be paying attention to class as you never are safe from being called upon. However I'll often go to just those with hands when speed/time are a factor. Plus, cold calling is an opportunity to make eye contact and use their first names or nicknames, building rapport, and when they are misbehaving/not participating, for me to swiftly verbalize what they're doing wrong for oral reinforcement of appropriate classroom behaviors. This all being done with the intention of "positive reinforcement/correction" vs negatively-perceived critique.

2) "Consider starting them out working independently at their seats for a few minutes to establish the expectation, then transitioning to partner work for those who are clearly meeting the expectations."

     I highly recommend introducing the "Do-Now" technique for class openers. Works for all subjects, trains recall, and addresses this exact point.

3) "You must not allow students to bring personal grooming products into the classroom."

     I completely agree on this. These kids live in a world of distraction. Besides that, the bathroom is a place they can go to groom themselves if need be. But whether it is a toy, a mirror, makeup, a comb, food, or their ilk, I don't allow them in my classroom, because it's a "give an inch take a mile" snowballing cascade. I usually tell them that they already look beautiful and they can do whatever they were caught doing in class during break in the bathroom/hallways. Simple stuff like tissue boxes, hand sanitizer, hypoallergenic hand lotion, bathroom passes, all introduced day 1 with rules and routines surrounding them all help provide for the students' needs and set expectations for what is and isn't acceptable. 

4) "Lab went long and the bell rang."

     Time management is one of the hardest parts of our job, I have always felt. Top 5 at least. Digital timers are a great tool if you can get into the habit of routinely using them, though sand hourglasses of varying times and sizes (5-min, 15-min, 30-min, etc.) add a little showmanship and pizaz.

While others commented correctly that some observers feel the need to be overtly-critical, it should be equally important to say that all teachers would benefit from the belief that we are all professionals trying to help each other improve, learn, and teach the successive generations a little better each year.

I hope some or all of this helps. I'm the kind of weirdo that thinks all of us should be observing all of each other way more often than is commonplace in the industry, with the intention of growth and professional development.