Through the Looking Glass: Observations in the Early Childhood Classroom

by Nicolson, Sheryl; Shipstead, Susan G.

• ISBN13: 9780136519935
• ISBN10: 0136519938
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-08-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Taking a strong developmental focus, this book ensures that readers understand the close relationship between observing, understanding what has been observed, and improving the educational curriculum and environment. This edition is the result of a continued commitment to produce a book on observation that unites solid methodological instruction with a broad understanding of children's development. In the seven chapters that presents an observational method, two detailed examples taken from preschool and primary grade levels model how effectively study individual children and issues in classrooms, interpret the data, and initiate follow-through plans.

Table of Contents

PART 1 Preparing the Looking Glass	1	(90)
CHAPTER 1 Toward an Educational Approach	3	(14)
Ambitions of This Book	4	(1)
On the Road to Sound Observation	5	(10)
Reasons for Observing	6	(1)
What to Observe	7	(3)
Guidelines for Observation	10	(2)
Observer Subjectivity	12	(3)
Take a Moment to Reflect	15	(2)
CHAPTER 2 Highlights of Development During the Preschool Years	17	(42)
Selected Highlights of Physical Development	17	(10)
Motor Development	18	(1)
Gross Motor Skills	19	(4)
Fine Motor Skills	23	(4)
Selected Highlights of Cognitive Development	27	(14)
Representational Abilities	27	(1)
Language	28	(2)
Reasoning	30	(4)
Theory of Mind	34	(2)
Classification	36	(1)
Seriation	37	(1)
Number Development	38	(1)
Memory	39	(2)
Selected Highlights of Psychosocial Development	41	(7)
Expanding Relationships with Adults and Peers	41	(1)
Self-Concept	42	(2)
Play	44	(1)
Fears	45	(1)
Aggression	46	(1)
Impulse Control	46	(2)
Selected Highlights of Creative Development	48	(9)
Take a Moment to Reflect	57	(2)
CHAPTER 3 Highlights of Development During the Primary Years	59	(32)
Selected Highlights of Physical Development	60	(7)
Body Growth	60	(1)
Motor Development	60	(1)
Gross Motor Skills	61	(2)
Fine Motor Skills	63	(1)
Elements Affecting Motor Development	64	(3)
Selected Highlights of Cognitive Development	67	(9)
Representational Abilities	67	(1)
Language	67	(4)
Logical Thought	71	(1)
Metacognition	72	(1)
Classification	73	(2)
Number Development	75	(1)
Memory	75	(1)
Selected Highlights of Psychosocial Development	76	(8)
Self-Concept and Self-Esteem	76	(3)
Advances in Play	79	(2)
Relationships with Peers	81	(1)
Prosocial Moral Development	82	(1)
Managing Stress	83	(1)
Selected Highlights of Creative Development	84	(6)
Take a Moment to Reflect	90	(1)
PART II Observing Individual Children	91	(130)
CHAPTER 4 Observing Development of Individual Children Using Running Records	93	(20)
Overview of Observing Using Running Records	93	(8)
Description	93	(2)
Purpose	95	(1)
Guidelines for Writing Running Records	96	(5)
Integration of Developmental Theory and Observation	101	(7)
Preschool Example	101	(4)
Primary Grade Example	105	(3)
Applications	108	(2)
Strengths and Limitations	108	(2)
Points to Remember	110	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	110	(3)
CHAPTER 5 Observing Development of Individual Children Using Anecdotal Records	113	(22)
Overview of Observing Using Anecdotal Records	113	(8)
Description	114	(2)
Purpose	116	(2)
Guidelines for Writing Anecdotes	118	(3)
Integration of Developmental Theory and Observation	121	(6)
Preschool Example	122	(3)
Primary Grade Example	125	(2)
Anecdotes and Other Forms of Recording	127	(1)
Applications	127	(4)
Strengths and Limitations	127	(4)
Points to Remember	131	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	131	(4)
CHAPTER 6 Observing the Development of Individual Children by Using Checklists	135	(18)
Overview of Observing Using Checklists	135	(6)
Description	135	(3)
Purpose	138	(1)
Guidelines for Constructing a Checklist	139	(2)
Integration of Developmental Theory and Observation	141	(6)
Preschool Example	141	(4)
Primary Grade Example	145	(2)
Applications	147	(2)
Strengths and Limitations	147	(2)
Points to Remember	149	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	150	(3)
CHAPTER 7 Observing the Development of Individual Children by Using Rating Scales	153	(20)
Overview of Observing Using Rating Scales	154	(7)
Description	154	(5)
Purpose	159	(1)
Guidelines for Constructing Rating Scales	160	(1)
Integration of Developmental Theory and Observation	161	(7)
Preschool Example	161	(3)
Primary Grade Example	164	(4)
Applications	168	(2)
Strengths and Limitations	168	(2)
Points to Remember	170	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	171	(2)
CHAPTER 8 Observing the Development of Individual Children by Using ABC Narrative Event Sampling	173	(20)
Overview of Observing Using ABC Narrative Event Sampling	173	(5)
Sampling	173	(2)
Description	175	(1)
Purpose	176	(1)
Guidelines for ABC Narrative Event Sampling	177	(1)
Integration of Developmental Theory and Observation	178	(10)
Preschool Example	178	(5)
Primary Grade Example	183	(5)
Applications	188	(2)
Strengths and Limitations	190	(1)
Points to Remember	190	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	191	(2)
CHAPTER 9 Classroom Portfolios and Parent Conferences	193	(28)
Overview of Classroom Portfolios	194	(12)
Description	195	(1)
Notebook or File Box System	195	(2)
File Folder System	197	(4)
Child-Created Portfolios	201	(1)
Comparison of Record-Keeping Systems	201	(1)
Guidelines for Designing a Classroom System	202	(2)
Finding the Time	204	(2)
Overview of Parent Conferences	206	(8)
Conference Preparation and Content	206	(3)
Getting Started	209	(2)
Supporting Documentation	211	(1)
Guidelines for Parent Conferences	212	(2)
Guidelines for Using Videotapes During Parent Conferences	214	(1)
Applications	214	(5)
Points to Remember	219	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	220	(1)
PART III Observing Children, Teachers, Interactions, and Environments	221	(106)
CHAPTER 10 Observing Children and Teachers at Work by Using Tally Event Sampling	223	(24)
Overview of Observing Using Tally Event Sampling	224	(6)
Description	224	(3)
Purpose	227	(1)
Recording Time	228	(1)
Confidentiality	228	(1)
Guidelines for Constructing Tally Event Sampling Instruments	229	(1)
Integration of Classroom Situations and Observation	230	(12)
Preschool Example	230	(9)
Primary Grade Example	239	(3)
Applications	242	(2)
Strengths and Limitations	242	(2)
Points to Remember	244	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	244	(3)
CHAPTER 11 Observing Children and Teachers at Work by Using Time Sampling	247	(24)
Overview of Observing Using Time Sampling	247	(6)
Description	247	(1)
Purpose	248	(1)
Guidelines for Constructing Time Sampling Instruments	248	(5)
Integration of Classroom Situations and Observation	253	(12)
Preschool Example	253	(6)
Primary Grade Example	259	(6)
Applications	265	(2)
Strengths and Limitations	265	(2)
Points to Remember	267	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	268	(3)
CHAPTER 12 Designing Observational Instruments to Use in the Early Childhood Classroom	271	(24)
Select an Appropriate Topic, and Formulate and Observational Question	274	(1)
Classroom Example	274	(1)
Select an Appropriate Method of Observation	274	(1)
Classroom Example	275	(1)
Research the Topic in Libraries and Classrooms	275	(1)
Classroom Example	275	(1)
Identify Clear, Distinct Categories	275	(2)
Classroom Example	276	(1)
Design a Recording Form	277	(1)
Classroom Example	277	(1)
Pilot Test the Instrument	277	(2)
Classroom Example	277	(2)
Establish Inter-Rater Reliability	279	(3)
Classroom Example	279	(3)
Collect Data	282	(1)
Classroom Example	282	(1)
Analyze and Present the Data	282	(4)
Frequencies	282	(2)
Percentages	284	(2)
Tables and Graphs	286	(1)
Conclusion	286	(1)
Interpret the Data	286	(3)
Classroom Example	287	(2)
Formulate Follow-Through Plans	289	(3)
Classroom Example	291	(1)
Points to Remember	292	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	292	(3)
CHAPTER 13 Selecting Methods to Observe, Plan, and Enrich the Physical Environment	295	(32)
Indoor Environments	295	(18)
Room Arrangement	298	(6)
Lighting	304	(2)
Visual Appeal	306	(7)
Outdoor Environments	313	(6)
Developmental Benefits	313	(1)
Outdoor Design Factors	314	(1)
Teacher's Role	315	(1)
Outdoor Materials and Equipment Selection	316	(3)
Observing the Physical Environment	319	(6)
Classroom Example	320	(5)
Points to Remember	325	(1)
Take a Moment to Reflect	325	(2)
PART IV Observing Clearly	327	(8)
CHAPTER 14 Through the Looking Glass	329	(6)
The Teacher's Commitment to Observation	332	(1)
The Benefits of Observation in the Early Childhood Classroom	332	(2)
Take a Moment to Reflect	334	(1)
Appendix A The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct	335	(8)
Appendix B Preschool and Primary Grade Growth Indicators	343	(6)
Glossary	349	(6)
References	355	(10)
Index	365