Kid watching is a critical practice for teachers to use because it is closely linked to every aspect of teaching. Do not know is students are understanding the lesson? Observe and listen. Do not know if materials are working for your class? Observe and listen. Do not know if students have an interest in something that you have not been covering with your class? Observe and listen.
Observing and listening is a key tool for teachers to improve upon their lessons and find things to break down into simpler steps. This practice is useful anytime your teaching is hitting a rut, so to speak.
Kid watching informs the teacher of what sorts of things each child is used to, culturally. If the class is witnessing something completely different than the culture they grew up in, the glazed looks and confused expressions instead of excitement should tell you that this is unfamiliar material. Kid watching will also inform the observer about which children are reacting to situations differently, and this is sometimes due to culture. We often hear of countries where students are not to look teachers in the eye, for that translates as disrespect. Simply watching on occasion will give you information without as much biased opinion about certain cultures. Only when we cast away our opinions for a little while is when we can learn new unexpected things.
Resource:Getting to know students:developing culturally revelant practices for reading and writing [Web log message]. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:_5palgT26a4J:media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/24/EHEP0005/EHEP000524-1.pdf+getting+to+know+your+students+interview&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESihbHTui0felcMHojEsBpnh8z7NAdzADlw2OA4q9Vocu4GnsE9vU6W8FAkura70mCyuOla1xOr-rr-Fx2SClUgdkg0vR_t62WIa7eI5Xv0hb-0RJGU6wkBN550lYlezIl_CDQ0s&sig=AHIEtbQinv4Hao96DU6foV8n3HZ8ybE5Ng&pli=1
This article (link is here) reminded me that students are not the only ones that are observed. Teachers are observed to see if they teach effectively. Students are observed in this teacher evaluation session too.
Resource:
Clark, M. (2010, December 13). How to observe a classroom [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how_7639098_observe-classroom.html
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