The Art of Observation

Observation is arguably one of the most important aspects of the teaching profession. It allows the teacher to assess where the children are at and what they need help with, so too what they don't need help with. This assessment can be either formative or summarise: assessment for learning and assessment of learning. Inks kike class flow are a good place to star in terms of finding out what is already known by the children and so tasks can be given accordingly. Observation therefore falls into mainly formative assessment but can be used in both.

What does observation look like?

Teacher walking around the room and making notes

child to child. Teacher to child

independent work

conversations

tablets

listening to children's questions then addressing them in future lessons

looking over someone's shoulder.

What at is the purpose of observation?

To check behaviour

keep pupils safe

to get to know each pupil

assessment

have your purpose of observation. Why are you observing? What are you observing? Who is it for?

begin with DESCRIPTION say what you see in detail.

INTERPRETATION what you see. Your opinion.

JUDGEMENT conclusion. Making a judgement based on what you see.

Video example. Asking individual children. Referencing different times tables. Doesn't ask one person constantly.

HOWEVER was it too fast paced? Closed body language? They were refresher activities

but these are better interspersed in lesson so not to waste time at the start.

Use Open ended questions to show VERBAL UNDERSTANDING.

Could release children at different stages i.e. When they get the concept move them on to do independent work. Can then focus and work with children who are struggling and need help grasping concepts.

Who do we observe?

begin by observing children. DO NOT LABEL THEM

keeo a record of date and time.

Record only what you see

put observation in context.

#TS6 #TS8