Authentic Observation and Reflection Sheet – Field Placement II 350/365Student
Name: Tabinda Imtinan Date: Week 8
Why are you doing this observation? (Think about where in the planning cycle you are to answer this)
I am doing this observation because children had interest in racing cars.
Who are the players in this observation?
Lara and his friends
What did the child/children experience and explore? Write a detailed objective observation be.
Lara and his friends were playing with toy race cars on a track they made from blocks. Lara won the race
after they went around the track two times. Even though Lara usually brags when he wins, this time he
didn't. He acted modestly, which shows that he's becoming more mature.
What do you think were the children learning before this observation? What ‘uploading’ has occurred
Before, Lara used to brag and not be humble when he won games. But now, he's acting more humble
and mature. I think he probably plays with toy cars at home too and really loves them because he gets
super excited when he plays with his friends. I believe Lara will keep growing and becoming even more
mature in the future.
How could you respond to the children and extend this play for the children? What is a possible big
idea?
We can make the play more exciting by having everyone race around the whole classroom together.
This way, all the kids can learn more about cars, and Lara can share what he knows with everyone,
which might help him grow up even more. Another fun idea could be letting each child pick a cool card
to draw, which would be both fun and educational for them.
What were your first thoughts about what the children were doing? What impressions do you have?
At first, I thought if Lara won, he might act immature and brag about it. But I was surprised when
he showed humility and respect towards his friends instead.
What does the child/children appear to know? What theories about their world do they already have?
I believe Lara used to think that winning gives you the right to brag, but as he gets older and matures,
his perspective will likely change.
What do you think the child was trying to accomplish in his/her play? What questions did they need to
answer for themselves?
Lara wanted to have a good time playing, but he also wanted to win. He had to figure out his strategy
and how he could come out on top.
What questions arise for you? What do you want to know more about as you watch children engage and
explore? What are your “I wonder” statements?
I'm curious if Lara's main goal is simply to win or if he also wants to enjoy himself.
How do the principles of constructivism (hands-on learning) apply to what you saw? How does what you
saw apply to what you are learning in your coursework to date?
Instead of just chatting about cars, Lara and his friends were actually using their hands to play with them
physically.
What dispositions did you see children nurturing? How can you nurture those dispositions further?
What other dispositions can be nurtured and how?
I notice that the children are nurturing their creativity, as they are coming up with inventive ways to play
with the cars.
