Marsha Ross-August Post-The Habit of Kidwatching, By Timothy O’Keefe

The habit of kidwatching is something that all teachers do.  It is the observations that we do each day through out each school year.  It is noting students’ strengths and weakness, their successes and failures, through more than a grade on a paper.  The only difference is it is more in-depth than a teacher just sitting back and watching.  It also includes the note taking and use of the notes to guide instruction for a child or a group of children.  As the article stated it is, “direct, intentional, and systematic observations by teachers.” 

The best way to help a child to read is to have them actively reading and enjoying reading.   This cannot always be done in whole group or even in small group instruction.  Some children will always feel unsuccessful in a group.  Teachers can reach hard to reach children when they take time to read with children one on one.  They build a relationship with a child that builds confidence in that child.  They learn specifically about the habits of one child at a time.  As stated in the article, “it is giving a voice to students who otherwise might be silent.”  Children are always different one on one.  All teachers have seen a child that doesn’t want to be called on to read out loud in front of others because they don’t think of themselves as a “good” reader.  However, we know that child can read and has so many strengths.  Taking time to conference with them one on one allows us to gather information that is specific to their learning.  It gives them specific feedback and teachers too.  Kidwatching is something that I want to continue to get better at.