Presents a lesson that uses the learning cycle to introduce the concept of classification and the use of dichotomous keys to identify plants and animals. Encourages students to become better observers and helps them gain confidence and experience in using simple classification keys. (JRH)

Describes one teacher's experiences using "kid-watching" with four challenging middle school students, noting how such observation provides valuable insights into how some individuals learn. (SR)

Reviews the literature on the use of process observation as an effective method for training group workers. Describes the development and implementation of a process observation system as a training tool. (Author/KW)

The article describes a participant observation study with two kindergarten classes which focused on explaining child behavior in terms of its context. Case studies of three children illustrate alternative interpretations of behavior problems when seen from the point of view of the child or a nonauthoritarian adult "child's aide." (DB)

Compared observations of family interactions among anorexic, bulimic-anorexic, bulimic, and normal families (N=74 families) consisting of father, mother, and teenage daughter. Benjamin's structural analysis of social behavior methodology differentiated clinical from normal families. Found unique patterns among subtypes of eating disorders which…

Describes one high school teacher's frustration with her principal's well-intentioned observations about her teaching. The realities of classroom life and the rigors of the principal's job, coupled with training differences, cause each participant to view the same events differently. (MLH)

Examines how a recently developed peer observation program for principals (Peer-Assisted Leadership) is being adapted for preservice and inservice training programs across the country. Training adaptations used in preparation programs include coaching and follow-through, mentoring, and peer support, while inservice programs feature mentoring and…

Identifies and analyzes 16 factors that influenced a largely unsuccessful collaborative writing process. Uses the language theory of Mikhail Bakhtin to explain how the factors operated together as forces impelled by the social context of the process. (RS)

Investigators were surveyed on the topic of side effects coincident with baseline naturalistic observations of children. Reported side-effects usually involved exacerbation of problems already occurring. Children in clinical samples were more likely than those in naturalistic samples to display side-effects. (Author/BB)

The article provides a staff observation form for providing feedback to increase staff's differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors in the training of appropriate leisure activities in persons with severe and profound handicaps. (DB)

Examined the stability and circumstances of helping behaviors of 51 children of 41-69 months in a preschool classroom. Frequency of helping behaviors was not correlated with age or sex and was not stable over four 10-minute observation periods. Most helping acts were performed during nonimaginary play. (RJC)

A number of scales used for classroom observation of student teachers of French are synthesized and comments made by their users are discussed. Two observation scales are proposed. (Author/MSE)

Problems associated with peer observation and evaluation of teaching are examined, and practical ways to compensate for and overcome them in order to achieve the benefits of this form of evaluation are discussed. (Author/MSE)

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, a standardized protocol for observation of social and communicative behavior associated with autism, is described. Data on interrater reliability as well as test-retest reliability and discriminant validity are provided. (Author/DB)

This study observed naturalistic humor in six young children with autism and six matched children with Down's syndrome, as they interacted with their mothers. Autistic children produced and appreciated humor to a limited extent, but they produced less humor overall and less humor involving nonverbal incongruity compared to matched controls.…