Gerald Steven Mills 

Kid Watching #2

I found the kid watching article to be unique because of the strategies the teacher used in her classroom. The students had no idea that so much data was being collected from their free play and engagement of activities. The teacher was able to observe children in a way that did not interrupt or get in the way of children’s learning. They remained on task as she went from groups of students and observed. This says a lot about her class management as well. It is important to be able to stop, and collect the necessary data on children without singling them out and calling them to a back table or asking them questions that they don’t know. As I was reading I was thinking of ways I could group my students and the type of data I would like to observe. This is important because according to the article the data collected can help you understand what it is that your students know and can do. Helps the teacher to understand the student’s ways of constructing and expressing knowledge. As the teacher I will have a better understanding of how to teach individual students and shape the curriculum and use the best practices for the best results.

 The article addresses the fact that there should be a rich environment for learning in the classroom, stating the Reggio Emilia approach. I agree with this and I believe that Children learn best when they have multiple learning experiences such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, performing, presenting, and playing. With this being said, when one is kid watching I think that it is important that students are engaged in meaningful activities which will yield the best data and ability levels. Another important point that I agree with is that students need to be asked to complete task within their ZPD. This is extremely important referring to a quote by Vygotsky, “What a child can do with assistance today, he/she will be able to do by herself tomorrow”. It is stated that you should ask students questions like, “What makes you think so?” or “Why did you choose to do it this way?” or “What did you notice?” or “What makes you think so”. 

These are the type of questions that gives the teacher insight on how children process information and a good measure of their reasoning skills. This idea of kid watching should be done in every classroom. This would take strategic planning to keep the students engaged, but different centers with engaging task would be key. I plan on searching for opportunities, to do some kid watching. This could provide the type of data that test can’t show. Watching children process information, problem solve, and express themselves would provide a unique opportunity to interact with students that most teachers seldom have.