tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post2121122463210439977..comments2024-03-14T01:06:55.076-07:00Comments on the classroom composition: ObservingLauna Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03732938187019993335noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-26028701103211945672010-03-18T21:20:24.026-07:002010-03-18T21:20:24.026-07:00Ah, time consuming. There's the rub.Ah, time consuming. There's the rub.Launa Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03732938187019993335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-49215445116648904432010-03-17T22:29:33.023-07:002010-03-17T22:29:33.023-07:00We use audiorecorders and video regularly- and it ...We use audiorecorders and video regularly- and it is such a wonderful learning tool. I can't believe I say the things I do sometimes! And the things that get missed....we have a parent site where they can log on and watch classroom clips - it is really lovely. But it is all very time consuming...Pamela Wallberghttp://www.reggiovancouver.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-57040595507646791392010-03-01T12:27:55.484-08:002010-03-01T12:27:55.484-08:00Such a great point, Marla. I intend to keep watch...Such a great point, Marla. I intend to keep watching and learning from my fellow teachers long after I've got my mitts on my teaching license. This is just the beginning. <br /><br />What a glorious use for windy weather! Hurray!Launa Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03732938187019993335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-87241792632588188342010-02-28T19:39:02.899-08:002010-02-28T19:39:02.899-08:00When you observe (or one observes) we are learnin...When you observe (or one observes) we are learning more about ourselves than the teacher. The moment when you saw that child's spirit wilt after the forceful "too long!", or the other day when a teacher I worked with spontaneously read the children (pre-K) a story about the wind while playing a recording of the wind, and then bundled all 20 of them up, and took them outside in that fierce wind, with scarves and fabric...she told me about their faces, their awe. These are the observations that shape our values and our practice. While a videotape would be fascinating, working closely with other teachers can also be a mirror.Marla McLean, Atelieristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12788200495569027489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-43001213642134301262010-02-27T19:05:35.721-08:002010-02-27T19:05:35.721-08:00One-way mirrors, awesome, Tom! Sometimes, when I&...One-way mirrors, awesome, Tom! Sometimes, when I'm sitting in one of my classes and we're discussing a hypothetical child in a hypothetical classroom, I wish we had an on-site early childhood classroom lab, equipped with a whole viewing room on the other side of one-way mirrors. Well, a girl can dream.Launa Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03732938187019993335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-82867508661674071932010-02-27T07:13:10.427-08:002010-02-27T07:13:10.427-08:00I'm like you Launa, I have a hard time observi...I'm like you Launa, I have a hard time observing when I'm in the midst of the kids. Frankly, part of the way I get paid is I get to play with them!!!<br /><br />I've had one-way mirrors installed in the classroom doors so I can remove myself from time to time and just observe. If I leave the door cracked a bit, I can usually hear as well. Yesterday, I got to watch a table of 2's spontaneously working on their cooperative play skills, something that I don't notice very often when I'm right in the middle of things.<br /><br />I'm agitating for webcams to be installed at our school. I'm assuming there's some way I could use those to record . . .<br /><br />I love this post!Teacher Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-64929426856915749502010-02-26T19:42:58.643-08:002010-02-26T19:42:58.643-08:00I feel like I understand the need for observation ...I feel like I understand the need for observation now, Deborah, but no doubt this is one of those truths I'll need to rediscover periodically as I'm in the thick of it.Launa Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03732938187019993335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-89494155104001098482010-02-26T15:08:15.548-08:002010-02-26T15:08:15.548-08:00Launa, I think by recognizing the value of observa...Launa, I think by recognizing the value of observations now you will be so much more successful in the classroom. It is so easy to get into a routine and so confident as a teacher that you can really think that everything is going great and there is no need for observation. But taking the time to observe always teaches us something new about our teaching style and the needs of our students.Deborah Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992053244004086395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-44321222501163121832010-02-26T14:55:31.821-08:002010-02-26T14:55:31.821-08:00Deborah, what an insightful comment--thank you. I...Deborah, what an insightful comment--thank you. I love this example of the important need to warmly greet parents and children, and how obvious this can be if you have the opportunity to study faces and body language. <br /><br />I expect to be teaching in public school, where sometimes, I feel, parents are not made to feel welcome. I'm thinking of hanging a sign on my classroom door that says, "Parents welcome here!" and then following up that claim in my words and actions when they walk through the door.Launa Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03732938187019993335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-612471600936839321.post-41045064702355729842010-02-26T14:21:25.803-08:002010-02-26T14:21:25.803-08:00I do have the opportunity to observe classrooms of...I do have the opportunity to observe classrooms often and it is not an easy thing to do because like you, I love to stay busy and involved. On my recent opportunity to observe a classroom, I observed a dad bring his child into the classroom and the child began to cling to his side. There were two very young teachers in the classroom and neither of them stood up or moved towards the door to offer a hello or any assistance. The father looked lost, the child looked forlorn, and the teachers seemed awkward and unsure of what to do. I was wondering as I observed this awkward exchange....<br /><br />"Who is in charge of this classroom?"<br />"What happened to giving a warm and inviting welcome to the child and parent?"<br />"Is this not happening because the teachers lack people skills, confidence, training, or experience?" <br />"How would I feel if I were the parent right now?"Deborah Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04992053244004086395noreply@blogger.com