A checklist for assessing young children's individual needs by observing them at play. (CM)

This review covers the past 25 years of research literature on training observers of behavior, specifically in the areas of interviewing, reducing rater bias, interpersonal perception and observation as a research tool. The focus is on determining the most successful training methods and their theoretical bases. (Author/SJL)

This study investigates the leadership-followership behaviors of 48 kindergarten children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. (CM)

An observational field study documents the early appearances of group behaviors in different age groups of preschool children in communal settings in Israel. (CM)

This paper outlines some of the interview approaches and observational techniques that social scientists use in field study. Discussed are scheduled interviews, open-ended interviews, the delphi technique, participant observation, process observation, and lurking. (Author/AV)

How a teacher achieves a balance between structure and freedom in his art lessons requires a critical awareness of the methods he chooses. Discusses the problems in teaching art lessons, the basic characteristics of creative art lessons, and provides a checklist for analyzing the effectiveness of an art lesson. (Author/RK)

Principals must understand what is required at each stage of reading development before they can judge instructional effectiveness. Reading instruction that moves both at-risk and well-prepared children forward on the literary continuum will differ, especially in initial stages. Shows principals what to look for at six grade levels. Children's…

Naturalistic observations were made of children in grades one through six on school playgrounds. Observers coded interactive behaviors, affective valence, and play states. Aggressive children displayed more verbal and physical aggression, antisocial behaviors, and interaction than did nonaggressive children. Peers made similar initiations to the…

Reports on a peer assistance program for principals involving training, observation (via shadowing), and feedback. The sample involved nine pairs of Australian principals matched by age, experience, and school size. Reports generally positive findings regarding principals' overall ratings, claimed benefits and limitations, perceived value of…

Examines relationships among observer, teacher, and student perceptions of what was occurring in 9th grade science classrooms to better understand the inter-relationships between the different perspectives. Shows that students and teachers view their classes differently, although the factor structures had some similarity. Also concludes that…

The structure of art as a symbol system is composed of three dimensions: observer, process, and product. Each dimension is described, discussed, and its application to art therapy illustrated through the case study of a 12-year-old boy suffering from a progressive neurological disorder. (LSR)

Shares the experiences of a researcher engaged in qualitative research. Looks at researcher sensitivity and flexibility, ethical dilemmas, and the importance of a good "research alliance" with participants. Discusses, the implications of including participants as collaborators and the role of co-researchers. Emphasizes the impact of…

Provides a brief overview of the literacy assessment procedures and processes many teachers are now using to gather information about what their young students know and can do. Describes techniques for gathering information about young children's literacy development, and notes its usefulness to teachers. (SR)

Discusses trends in teacher evaluation, including classroom observations, peer coaching, portfolios, self-evaluation, artifacts collection, and action research. Discusses the steps of action research. (RS)