OBSERVE

Use the observation guide and matrices provided for you to document your
observations.

An Observation Guide for the Learners' Characteristics

Read the following statements carefully. Then write your observation report on the
provided space. Your teacher may also recommend another observation checklist if a
more detailed observation is preferred.

Physical

1. Observe their gross motor skills, how they carry themselves, how they move, walk,
run, go up the stairs, etc.
2. Are gross movements clumsy or deliberate/smooth?
3. How about their fine motors skills? Writing, drawing, etc.

Social

1. Describe how they interact with teachers and other adults.

2. Note how they also interact with peers. What do they talk about? What are their
concerns?

Emotional

1. Describe the emotional disposition or temperament of the learners (happy, sad,

easily cries, mood- shifts)
2. How do they express their wants/needs? Can they wait?
3. How do they handle frustrations?
4. Describe their level of confidence as shown in their behavior. Are they self-
conscious?

Cognitive

1. Describe their ability to use words to communicate their ideas. Note their language
proficiency.
2. Describe how they figure out things. Do they comprehend easily? Look for
evidence of their thinking skits.
3. Were there opportunities for problem solving? Describe how they showed problem
solving abilities.
 Learners’ Development Matrix

Record the data you gathered about the learners’ characteristics and needs in this
matrix. This will allow you to compare the characteristics and needs of learners at different
levels. The items under each domain are by no means exhaustive. These are just sample
indicators. You may add other aspects which you may have observed.

Preschooler Elementary High School

Development
Indicate age range of
Domain
children observed: 4-5
Physical
Gross-motor skills Children are active, fast,
energetic, and clumsy.
Fine-motor skills They can write and
identify letters.
Self-help skills They can also open a bag
of chips with little help of
others by pre-cutting.
Others
Indicate age range of Indicate age range of
children observed: 12 children observed: 16
They are very active, They are active, excited,
attentive, and energetic. and keen to details.
They can read and write They can read and write
words. words and can construct
an essay.
Can feed themselves They know how to
without the assistance of manage their time, knows
others. Know how to how to communicate, can
cook their food. cook their foods and also
knows to iron their
uniform.

Social
Interaction with They can easily interact
Teachers with teachers but
sometimes can be easily
Interactions with distracted.
Classmates/ They love to play with
friends their classmates then
easily get in trouble.
Interests
They love to talk, draw,
and storytelling.
Others
They interact with respect
and self-confidence.
They interact together
with their classmates
actively and joyfully.
They are interested in
playing games especially
in recess time.
They are attentive and
keen on details, take the
lesson more seriously.
They interact with their
classmates actively and
have a small group inside
the classroom.
They are interested when
it comes to topics about
love, sports, and future
life.

Emotional
Moods and They are active, always They are a bit of moody. They are a bit of moody,
temperament, excited, and energetic but Often time they are often they are happy
expression of easily cry. active, sometimes they sometimes sad, some has
feelings are passive. mix emotions. Especially
in this stage they are
Emotional They feel happy when hormonal.
independence they play with their They express their They express their
classmates emotions through crying. emotions through crying
some faking their
emotions just not to show
their weakness.
Others
Cognitive
Communication They can speak in They can communicate They can communicate
Skills Hiligaynon, sometimes in with their teacher in with their teachers in
English but they are not vernacular, Tagalog, and vernacular, Tagalog,
fluent in speaking. English. English.
Thinking Skills Needs guidance; they can
easily forget things They can figure out small They can think easily and
easily. things on their own. know what is right and
wrong and can decide on
Problem-solving their own.
It is hard for them to They can solve it easily. They can solve problems
solve problems. problems and some and some difficult
difficult on but problems by responding
sometimes they need in problem solving
assistance for them to questions in a short
understand clearly. manner of time.
Others
ANALYZE
Write the most salient development characteristics of the learners you observed.
Based on these characteristics, think of implications for the teacher.
Example:
Salient Characteristics
Level
Observed
Preschool • Preschoolers like to
Age range of learners move around a lot.
observed 3-4
Salient Characteristics
Level
Observed
Preschool
Age range of learners They like to draw, write,
observed: 4-5 color, and talk about the
things they like, ask
questions about anything
that comes to their mind.
They like to move around
and play a lot especially
when they are in sugar rush.
Elementary
Age range of learners Elementary learners have
observed: 12 various abilities such as
dancing, drawing, painting,
and they are thirst for
knowledge. They are also
attentive, pays attention and
observant.
High school
Age range of learners They take more seriously
observed: 16 the lesson. They love to talk
with their seatmates. Also,
attentive, pays attention to
the class but sometimes can
easily be bored and
distracted by their
seatmates.
Implications to the
Teacher-Learning Process
• Therefore, the teacher should remember to use
music and movements activities not just in PE but
in all subject areas.
• Therefore, teachers should not expect preschoolers
to stay seated for a long time.
Implications to the
Teacher-Learning Process
Teachers should not expect preschoolers to stay in
one place because they like to move around. Teachers
should be more patient and active in dealing with
preschoolers. Also, they should find ways on how to
develop and hone the talents of their learners
especially to those who are diverse, and shy but has a
great potential.
Teachers should be flexible and imaginative for such
different kinds of approaches to those students who
are diverse, and different learning styles. They should
always prepare and master his/her subject matter
before conducting a class because teacher should be
aware of what to discuss.
Teachers should be fun and make the class exciting
because in this stage, students do not pay attention if
the class is boring. They should also be role models
and impart wisdom and right manner. They should
also be mindful with their words because it can really
affect the learners.
REFLECT
1. While you were observing the learners, did you recall your own experiences when you
were their age? What similarities or differences do you have with the learners you
observed?

During my observation, I reminisced about those times during my preschool years. I remember
those moments wherein I do not have any problems and care about my grades. In my elementary
years, that was the time I discovered my talent for dancing and even competed in other schools.
Also, I was gullible. I can easily manipulate and believe things that do not even exist. I noticed
some similarities and differences with the learners that I have observed. Like connecting sound
letters to a picture or the name of the animals. The difference is that nowadays, Teachers are using
more gadgets and technologies, and they are now more advanced than before. Because back then
teachers utilized manila paper or cartolina for discussion.

2. Think of a teacher you cannot forget for positive or negative reasons. How did she/he
help or not help you with your needs (physical, emotional, social, and cognitive)? How
did it affect you?

Mrs. Eden Rufin is one of the teachers that I cannot forget. She is the reason why I pursued a -
chemistry related course, and I was the only one who took a chemistry-related course among my
classmates. She is a strict teacher, but you will learn a lot from her. Also, she is the reason why I
love chemistry because, back then, I really hated science, but she changed everything. She gave
me some advice whenever I needed it, most especially on how to improve my self-esteem, and
she suggested some strategies on how to study efficiently. She reminds me that all things can be
understood with the right person. Thanks to my, teacher who believed me, and my capabilities as
a student and gave me so much confidence in life.

3. Share your other insights here.

Children have different levels of learning abilities. Some may not be academically inclined
but excel in different fields of interest. Therefore, we should not compare each student
based on their capabilities in a certain area. And as teachers, we must understand this; we
must apply different teaching styles or techniques on how to deal with different learning
styles for the benefit of everybody.