Sample Observation Schedule 1: Observing Children

Child’s name DoB Age

Date of observation Observed by Year

Activity observed Teacher Task

Location

Purpose of observation

Time Observation Other children

Observation Schedule 1 Example

Child’s name John DoB 15th Aug Age 8

Date of observation 10th Oct Observed by MMc Year
Activity observed Numeracy Teacher AT Task Estimation
Location Group table
Purpose of observation:
To investigate how John works during an independent activity

Time Observation Other children

Given cubes to estimate weight. Constant On task
09.45 chatting to other children, and moving around the
room. Commenting on other children’s work.
Looked at work set. Other children attempt to
ignore him.

Picked up basket of bricks. Some fell on floor. Most ignored, some

09.47 Swung basket round. ‘I think I’m rich’. Walked giggled
around class. Handle broke. Bricks on floor.

Loud voice ‘Everyone blaming it on me’. Mandy Class watching

09.49 looked at him. He pulled her hair, she cried out.
Teacher came over to talk to John.

Settled back on task. Talking to others in a loud Others on task

09.53 voice.

On task. ‘What does that say?’ Wanted help Others on table try
09.54 reading the instructions. Teacher called from other to help
side of room, ‘J please concentrate, how many
cubes?’

Started singing, tapping. Some giggling

09.56

Playing with pencil. Prodded next door child. Everyone watching

09.58 Cried out. Teacher came over. Accused of
prodding, he denied. Teacher asks for apology.
He gets upset, stands up, moves away from table,
runs out. Teacher follows.
 Sample Observation Schedule 2: Observing Adults

Name of Adult: Role: Observed by:

Date of observation Activity observed: Location:

Purpose of observation

Time Observation Children and other

adults
Observation Schedule 2 Example
Name of Adult: Mrs Smith Role: School Tutor
Date of observation 6th June Activity observed:
PE lesson
Purpose of observation
How does Mrs Smith organise the children for PE?
Time Observation
11.00 Mrs S: OK everyone, put your pencil down
and listen to me.
She waits for children to respond.
11.05 Mrs S: Ben’s table, are you ready for
listening?
Mrs S: right everyone, PE time. 2 minutes
to get changed. When you are ready, let
me see you sitting in your chair and looking
ready. Julie, you have the stop watch
please.
11.08 Mrs S moving around room helping
children to get changed.
11.10 Mrs S: Let’s see everyone sitting up ready
for PE. Well done Freddy’s table, all ready.
She goes to stand by the door and looks
around the classroom.
11.15 Mrs S: As we go down to the hall today, we
are going to be little mice hiding from he
cat and no-one will ever know we have left
the classroom. Come on little mice, line up
by the door. Don’t let the cat hear you!
Observed by: EM
Location: Year 1
Classroom
Children and other
adults
Most children respond
immediately. A group at the
back of the room continue
to chat.
The group at the back stop
talking and face Mrs S.
Children cheer and begin to
get changed.
Julie smiles, takes the stop
watch and looks at it as she
gets changed.
Stop watch alarm sounds.
Julie shouts ‘Mrs Smith’.
Some children are sitting in
their places, some are still
getting ready.
Remaining children sit down
while still getting ready.
Children stand and try to
put their chairs under the
table without making a
sound. Some walk to the
door on tiptoe.