Rhonda Cranford August post #1 “The Habit of Kidwatching” by Timothy O’Keefe”

Kidwatching is not just sitting backing and watching children; it is observing and taking notes both mental and physical on what is taking place with a child or a group of children.  As teachers, we “kidwatch” constantly.  It is the part after the watching that really strengthens the process.  O”Keefe says it “includes direct, intentional, and systematic observations by teachers.  Burke clarified and extended the idea by casting kidwatching as learning to see what’s there and using that information to make a better classroom.”  We must use what we see to effectively help our students.  We can collect tons of data in many different ways but it is not until we act on the information received from the data that will make a difference.  I love the idea of sitting with each child individually and listening to him/her read.  Through this time I will learn much more about my students and will be able to better provide the instruction and each needs.  I want to give the shy reluctant learner the voice he/she needs to be successful and to actually feel success and accomplishment.  Through kidwatching I will see the strengths of each child and expand on them.  I will also see the needs of each and will be able to focus on the needs of each child.   As stated in the article by O’Keefe “Sitting with a child and watching and listening carefully may be the best thing we can do to get to know our students”.  I want to make a nice cozy place for the student and me to sit and read and talk; an inviting place.  As stated in another article inviting children to read and being exciting about reading is a major part of loving to read.  Students need to have a desire to read for pleasure not to see reading as a dreaded task to be checked off each day.  Reading opens the pathways of knowledge, fun, excitement and true pleasure.  Kidwatching provides teachers with the tools to help the children find that pathway to reading.