Effective teachers must conduct observations and assess development to individualize learning and guide development. Finding time to observe, document, and assess can seem overwhelming. In this session, we review the fundamentals of observation and discuss practical solutions to getting it done in a busy classroom. We will also examine assessment tools, including teacher-made measures, when and how to do them, and then how to discuss assessments with parents.
2. Learning Objectives
• Assessing through observation
• Documenting Children’s Learning
• Planning and Evaluating
• Recordkeeping/Portfolios
• Working with Colleagues and the Community
4. Assessment
• To support learning and development
• To screen children for special needs
• To evaluate program effectiveness
• To monitor trends and needs
• To assess children’s achievement o hold programs (and educator’s)
accountable
• To advance knowledge of child development
5. Authentic Assessment
Information must be collected:
• Systematically
• In natural settings
• During daily routines and activities
It is designed to:
• provide strength-based, inclusive, and individualized care
• support child-initiated learning
• promote appreciative understanding
7. Observation
The teacher’s role as a listener and observer
of children is our most important role. It is
the way we stay in tune with the needs and
interests of children
• Look
• Listen
• Learn
8. Planning through Observation
• Changes to the environment, activities, and
projects are based on what we learn about children
and their experience
• Teachers can be more in tune with individual
children
• Enables us to set appropriate goals
• When the environment and experiences are
carefully planned, children are more likely to be
engaged and present fewer behavior problems.
9. Small Group Activity
Observing with Purpose
What types of observations (times of day, individual or
small group, use of space and materials, etc.) would
help you answer these questions?
10. Observation
Simply document the behaviors that you see.
Don’t get ahead of yourself by interpreting
the observations, just record the facts:
1. What the children are doing
2. What materials the children are using
3. How children are using these materials
4. What the children are saying
15. Recording Observations
• Brief Notes
• Anecdotal Records
• Running Records
• Diary/Journal Observations
• Matrices
• Event Sampling
• Time Sampling
• Checklists
• Rating Scales
16. Observations
• Make quick notes
• Address labels
• Index cards
• Post-it notes
• Table/smartphone
• Select a time to observe a child
• Do group observations
• Use checklists
17. Getting Started - Observations
• Start with small chunks of time and gradually add more
• Set aside time and location for observation
• Select a child to observe
• Plan a focus for observation
• Create a system that works for you
• Keep notes simple
• Use technology
18. Collecting and Documenting
• Anecdotal observations
• Journals and blogs
• Photo documentation
• Developmental screening
• Structured assessment
19. Organizing and Maintaining Records
• Portfolios
• Focus on purpose and milestones, not scrapbooking
• Limit to meaningful examples
• Developmental profiles
• Bulletin boards
20. Planning and Goal Setting
• Partner with parents to set goals based on
the assessment
• Curriculum and activity planning
• Changes to the learning environment
• Program transitions
21. Collaboration and Reflection
• Create opportunities for families and
teachers to communicate
• Intakes/conferences
• Use assessments to connect home and
school practices
• Journals
• Help families make the connections
between assessment and educational
standards
• Be respectful of cultural differences
