KEA EVIDENCE

EFFECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL NOTES

NC K-3 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT PROCESS - KEA

OBSERVING STUDENTS
EFFECTIVE PRACTICES SUPPORTING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
While implementing the Formative Assessment process the teacher uses planned,
multiple, and ongoing strategies to elicit evidence of learning as instruction is
occurring and learning is underway. Some strategies teachers use include taking
photos, recording students speaking, writing observational notes, collecting work
WHAT'Sand
samples, THE RESEARCH
talking with families. In this newsletter we will focus on writing
SAY? - 1 notes.
observation-based

Observing children
WHY? - 2as they interact with peers, use materials, try new things, practice
skills, solve problems, use motor skills, and persevere provides teachers with a wealth
of information that can be used along with the other types of benchmark and
DISPLAYING CHILDREN'S
summative assessments that are implemented.
WORK observer”
Being a “careful - 3 means planning opportunities for children to demonstrate
skills in a variety of ways, while making good decisions about when to move from the
role ofREFLECTION
an observer to&a more interactive role of asking questions and listening.
RESOURCES
By making observations
- 4 and documentations of children’s learning as part of the
day, the teacher creates a systematic daily practice to help guide children’s learning.
Conducting intentional observations helps with planning appropriate responses
(Adapting and Responding to Learning Needs) as well as uncovering what the
students understand and can do (Eliciting Evidence of Learning).
 WRITING OBSERVATIONAL NOTES
* DO use a journalistic approach.
     - Record the FACTS: WHO, WHAT,
HOW, WHEN AND WHERE (In NC our
technology platform records the date.)
* DO write what you SEE and HEAR.
     -Avoid making assumptions about the
child’s feelings or motivation
     -Resist inserting opinions, assumptions
or judgment
* DO write a description that builds a
visual picture of the instructional
environment.
    -Use descriptive word and direct
quotes
    -Include expressions, gestures or
other actions
* DO use data to inform and improve
instruction.
    -Interpret the evidence by reflecting
on the meaningful and valuable
information collected
    -Use the interpretation to adapt and
respond to the learning needs of the
student
 WHY PUT QUALITY OBSERVATIONAL
NOTES IN THE PLATFORM?
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM SUPPORTS 
INCREASING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
- Once quality evidence is added to the platform the data is populated
into reports that can be used to support teachers with personalizing
instruction for students, communicating with families, and collaborating
with other educators (ELL, AIG, OT, PT, EC, etc..)

        Class Profile Report - Informs the grouping of children

for differentiating instruction
        Evidence Status Report - Guides intentional evidence collection and
helps to determine areas in which additional evidences may need to be
collected 
        Individual Child Report - Tracks an individual student learning and
development
        Development and Learning Report - Can be shared with families to
show the child’s current Learning Statuses for each construct and
where the student’s learning and development is headed next
        Family Conference Form - Can be used when meeting with
families to discuss a child’s current Learning Status for each construct
and to develop a plan to work together to move learning forward
    
      
 REFLECTION
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

- Do I intentionally plan for observing children during the day?

- Does my classroom environment utilize a variety of settings that

allows observing and asking probing questions?

- Do I carefully word probing questions rather than asking ones that

lead to the correct answer without uncovering what the student
knows and understands?

- Do I use well-written observation notes to capture important

objective information about students within authentic contexts to
reflect and plan next steps for instruction and learning experiences?
 Here's a check list 
 FUN PLC PRACTICE
 TWENTY EXAMPLES

Gather your team together for an interactive, hands-on activity.  For more
practice with observational notes click here. You will find an activity from
our Facilitator’s Guide for NC District Implementation Teams.  This activity
provides 20 observational notes for you to analyze and decide if they would
be useful or not. 

More resources on Observational Notes can be found on our Wiki

under the tab KEA Evidence.  

If you'd like more information please

contact your consultant.
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