Before science can be completely understood, one of the fundamental skills that must be developed is observation. Improving descriptive writing and investigating students' observational skills in the classroom is the purpose of this study. The study was designed to determine if such skills, practiced through modeling activities, serve as a way to…

Systematic observation is a foundational skill teachers use in order to document children's reading development and plan developmentally appropriate instruction. However, a variety of challenges make it difficult for teacher educators to help preservice teachers develop systematic observation skills. The purpose of this study is to tell two…

Investigated was the retention of the skills of observation and comparison in junior high school students in a rural junior high school and an urban setting. Data obtained showed a consistently high degree of retention for both skills (although degree of retention was higher for observation than for comparison skills) regardless of treatment…

This is a continuation of the report on a study of skill retention (observation and comparison) in junior high school students. (See SE 511 538 for additional information.) Reported in this article is an investigation to determine if the skills retained could be transferred to a new set of scientific objects. Results appeared to show that both…

The authors discuss activities that help mentally handicapped adults emphasize thinking processes: observation questions, impact chart, solving a puzzling situation, and use of examples/nonexamples. The authors stress use of simple concepts, concrete objects, and realistic situations in developing intellectual skills. (CT)

Describes a simple field trip taken by fourth-grade students to a local park. Aided by volunteers, students go through four learning stations dealing with rock studies, tree identification, following directions (mapping), and observation skills. Presite and postsite activities are discussed. (TW)