I read “The Habit of Kidwatching” I feel like I
already do “kidwatching” but very rarely do I write my observations down. So I want
to work on recording my observations that way I don’t forget them. On the first
page of the article, the author writes “I can use this information to make better curricular
decisions for individuals, small groups, and the whole class.” This is a very
good point! I want to watch my students more and use that information to make better
instructional choices.
I'm glad you liked the article. It is helpful to write down observations so you can use the information for planning purposes.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to remember that the way you record observations is personalized to your preferences. It won't do any good to keep long anecdotal notes if they aren't being used to make instructional decisions. Some teachers prefer a template while others are using a clipboard and noting a few behaviors that will help them in lesson planning.
DeleteHi Lyuda,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that reading the article compelled you to write down the kidwatching that you engage in so you will have a record to return to, to not only inform your instruction but to hold the tracks of your teaching for that student and the tracks of their growth as a learner. What else did you learn about kidwatching from reading the article? The authors provided several suggestions. Any that you have tried before or want to try out? How have you utilized kidwatching in the past? What information did it provide? Was it helpful? If so, how and why? Take time to extend your blog post adding in some elements of critical reading. I want to know more about what you are thinking. Thanks, Dawn
I also learned that it's not about the quantity of observations that a teacher should write down when "kidwatching" but rather the quality of observations. I was glad to read that I don't have to write tons of notes; just the important ones.
ReplyDeleteThe author suggested using a clipboard to take notes on. I want to try that or to keep a binder of some sort that will hold my notes on students (maybe in tabs that have students' names in ABC order).
I have used kidwatching in the past by writing observations on sticky notes on things that I noticed students doing or not doing in Math and Reading. That gave me some helpful data to share at parent/teacher conferences and SATs.