Used focus group discussion and classroom observations to compare whether early childhood teachers' reported use of timeout as a discipline method was congruent with classroom behavior. Found that the verbal responses of the five teachers observed were very congruent with what they carried out while teaching. (Author/KB)

Considers the use of observation in the classroom as a means of student assessment. Focuses on developing an observation instrument, the scoring criteria, and using progress-based rankings rather than static rankings. Provides an example teacher observation form. (CMK)

Presents an evaluation of the use of videoconferencing in learning and teaching in an undergraduate degree program for student teachers in the United Kingdom. Students observed naturalistic teaching practices in a primary school and results of interviews with students and teachers were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the videoconferencing…

Presents an activity with fifth-grade students called "crazy hat portraits" that is the end product of a sequence of lessons. Describes the beginning lessons and lists what the students learn and the time and materials needed for the assignment. (CMK)

Coaching behaviors can be modified to improve the coach-athlete relationship. Systematic observation can provide positive feedback to athletes/physical education students. Seven steps in the process of systematic observation include deciding what behaviors to observe, defining those behaviors, selecting appropriate coding techniques, determining…

Evaluates adapted classroom arrangements, assesses the additional impact of a form of structured peer interaction between a subset of emergent writers and older children with writing delay, while controlling for time on task. Indicates significant improvement for all emergent writers and increased gains for those also experiencing the structured…

Examines the reciprocal nature of contributions made by 36 pairs of English infant school peers as they worked in classroom task groups. Indicates that year two children were significantly more responsive and demonstrated a great capacity for extended reciprocal interaction. Discusses the relational findings that children develop the ability to…

Presents a study where 33 children with a range of intellectual disabilities who participated in a transition program embedded within a model inclusive preschool program were enrolled in mainstream kindergarten classes from 1995 to 1999. Explains that classroom survival skills, on-task behavior, and following teacher directions were measured.…

Argues that the concentration on aims as a central tenet of classroom observation for teacher development is tied to Newtonian discourses that--despite the rival claims of the "new" science of chaos and complexity--still dominate the world of English language teaching. Outlines the main ideas behind these theories and relates them to second…

Describes the interactions among 4-year olds engaged in outdoor play at a preschool, where overnight rains filled the center's sand area and students improvised activities in the wet sand. Notes how, during the discovery exercise, students worked together as teams. Concludes that the measure of quality in early childhood programs must not be…

The Test of Variable Attention (TOVA), widely used in the assessment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was studied along with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III (WISC-III). Explores whether the TOVA is a measure of psychomotor speed function rather than sustained attention. Results indicated that there was no correlation…

Discusses family selection issues that should be considered in child care research, and evidence demonstrating why each should be considered. Issues include whether causal inferences can be made from observational studies and the impact on conclusions from regression analyses that include highly correlated measures of child care experiences,…

Discusses children's musical intuitions and two methods of meaning construction, pathmaking and mapmaking. Traces the work of one child who builds the tune Hot Cross Buns with Montessori bells and explains in detail the development. Considers educational implications. (CMK)

Plantwatch is an international program in which observers note the spring flowering times of key indicator plants and report them on the Internet. Steps are outlined for teachers who wish to involve their classes in Plantwatch. Tips are offered for teaching younger and older students about phenology (the study of periodic biological events related…

Examines transformation in the nature of public spaces for children and the school's role in producing those spaces. Draws on two years of ethnographic field-work at an elementary school. Focuses on a field trip to an art museum and explores another type of trip. (CMK)