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Introducing Observing
Suggestions for whole class activities that
introduce observing:
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Mini Field Trip:
take the class on a to a place they can all sit and observe, taking
detailed notes on everything they see, for roughly 15 minutes. When you
reconvene, discuss their observations and notes. What was the experience
like? How are their observations similar and different? What did they write
down? What difficulties did observing in this way create? Alternative:
assign the class to observe a specific place as homework. When they come to
class, they'll have notes to compare and discuss as above.
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Practice Activity 3.2:
If your classroom is equipped to do so, try watching the videos as
described in this practice activity. The exercise helps students realize the
complexities of observing and how easy it is to miss some elements and
notice others. Alternative: assign the videos as homework, asking
that they take notes on their process and reactions so that they'll have
specifics to compare when they return to class.
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Tray of Objects:
collect an assortment of 20-30 unrelated objects -- kitchen utensils, small
toys, office supplies, natural objects, etc. all work well -- and hide these
under a cloth. Allow students to look at the collection without touching or
moving any of them for 1 minute. Recover the objects. Students then produce
a list of as many objects as they can. Discussion might includes questions
like: Why are some items easier to remember than others. Repeat the exercise
based on their discussion -- i.e. increase the length of time slightly,
arrange the items in groups based on color, size or category, allow them to
touch or move the objects, shorten the time but let them take notes, etc.
Alternatives: Try these variations allowing different groups of students
to participate rather than the whole class, but do not allow the different
groups to see the objects when it is not their turn. Which group generates
the most complete list? Why might that be the case? What do these
differences suggest about the strategies they can use when they go into the
field to observe?
In any of these activities the objectives are
much the same: get students thinking about observing as a method of inquiry.
See other resources for Teaching Inquiry
 
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