Elizabeth Dunlap

CHD 265 – Written Competency #3

02/27/20
Why is observing a child essential to developing lesson
plans or classroom activities and how does observation
documentation support assessment?

As a teacher, I have a lot of important decisions to make and one of those decisions is how I

want to teach my kids the material given to me. There was a number of steps I need to follow

when preparing to teach my class, but I figure this out through observation. Through this tool, I

am able to figure out how to create classroom activities and develop lesson plans.

I think that observing children is important when wanting to develop a lesson plan or classroom

activities because you’re physically watching them do things like play with one another, read

books, do artwork, do a puzzle, etc. Kids who are between the ages of one and school age will

be found doing one or all of these activities. As a teacher I would observe their social skills,

small and large motor skills, and cognitive skills. Based on the results of the observations made I

would develop my lesson plans and classroom activities to where it was age and

developmentally appropriate. For example, I could set up an art activity where the children use

foam shapes, glue and white paper to explore their ideas. They use the shapes to create what’s

on their minds, I would use this activity for a group of four-five-year-old children.

Assessment acts a tool to help teachers figure out what to teach their class and how to create

lesson plans. I would assess my students at the beginning of the year and towards the end of

the year. It’s useful towards the beginning because I get to see where each of my kids are right

at that moment. After reviewing the results and comparing them, I’m able to see where my
students’ strengths and weaknesses are. I would probably find balance the strengths and

weaknesses to where I’m focusing on both. I would then assess my students again towards the

end of the year to see where I went wrong and where I was successful. Assessments are also

ways to help the teacher learn as well as the children, because they will help me find different

ways to teach.

Observation is a great tool for people like me who want to become teachers one day. I’ve used

observation a lot over the course of my education and will probably continue to use it as I

continue my education. I’ve learned many ways to use observation to my advantage when I’m

trying to accomplish something with a child or a group of children. I hope that one day I’m able

to really make successful lesson plans and classroom activities through observation.