Observation Paper Instructions

Overview: The purpose of the assignment is for students to observe teachers in a real-world setting.  Students will do one observation  of an elementary school PE class. Students must contact the teachers they plan on observing and receive permission to observe and to arrange a day and time for the observation. Students should bring a notebook to record their observations and signature sheet for the teacher to sign. Students will then write a five page paper based on their observations.

Format:

PEH 210: Elementary Physical Education

Learning Unit 11: Instructions

1. Setting and activity: Spend 1-2 pages describing the setting and the activities that you observed in your observation. (Note how many students, how large of an area, what activities did you observe, how many stations of different activities, how long did things last, etc.)
2. Compare and contrast: Spend 1-2 pages comparing and contrasting student involvement in the class. Where there differences you can recall from your Elementary PE experience? What similarities did you observe?
3. Reflections/Summary: Spend 1-2 pages reflecting on your observation. What did you learn? What grade level did you observe, which age do you think you would prefer to teach? How would you have done thing differently if you were the teacher? What things would you do the same if you were the teacher?

The paper must be five pages. Mentor form MUST be included for EACH age group observed.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Your Observation Paper

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1. Understand the Assignment:

   • Your task is to observe an elementary school Physical Education (PE) class, document the experience, and write a five-page paper reflecting on your observations. You will need to describe the setting, compare student involvement, and reflect on your learnings.

   • You will also need to arrange the observation with the teacher, get permission, and have a mentor form signed for each age group you observe.

2. Step 1: Setting Up the Observation

   • Contact the Teacher: Reach out to the teacher whose class you plan to observe. Get permission to observe and arrange a time for the observation. Make sure you let them know you’ll be taking notes and need a signature at the end.

   • Prepare Your Materials: Bring a notebook to record your observations and a mentor form to be signed by the teacher after your observation. It’s also helpful to bring any other documents the teacher may require.

3. Step 2: Observation Notes

   • During the observation, pay attention to the following:

     • Setting: The physical space, the size of the area, number of students, and the layout of the class.

     • Activities: Take note of the activities students are participating in, including the number of stations and how long each activity lasts.

     • Student Engagement: Observe how involved the students are in the activities. Are they engaged or distracted? What types of activities keep them motivated?

     • Teacher’s Role: Observe how the teacher manages the class, provides instructions, and supports student engagement.

4. Step 3: Writing Your Observation Paper
   Your paper should be structured into three main sections: Setting and Activity, Compare and Contrast, and Reflections/Summary.

   • Section 1: Setting and Activity (1-2 pages)

     • Description of the Setting: Describe the physical setting of the PE class, such as the size of the gym or outdoor area, the layout of equipment, and how the teacher organized the space.

     • Details of Activities: Outline the activities you observed, including how many stations there were, what each station involved, and how long each activity lasted. Mention how the students interacted with the stations and if they rotated during the class.

     • Student Demographics: Note the number of students, their age, and any other relevant details about the group.

   • Section 2: Compare and Contrast (1-2 pages)

     • Compare with Your Own Experience: Think about your own experience in elementary PE classes. Were there any noticeable differences in how the class was structured or how the students behaved compared to your own experience?

     • Student Involvement: How were the students involved in the activities? Were they more or less engaged than you expected? Were there any activities that seemed to engage students more than others? Compare how the teacher managed the activities to your previous experiences as a student.

     • Similarities: What aspects of the PE class did you find to be similar to your own experience? How were the activities designed or executed in ways that were familiar to you?

   • Section 3: Reflections/Summary (1-2 pages)

     • What Did You Learn?: Reflect on what you learned from observing the PE class. Did anything surprise you or challenge your previous assumptions? What did you learn about teaching physical education to children?

     • Grade Level Preference: Which grade level did you observe? Reflect on whether this is the age group you would prefer to teach. Why or why not? What aspects of teaching younger or older children would you enjoy or find challenging?

     • Improvements: If you were the teacher, how would you approach things differently? For example, would you manage the space differently, change the activities, or use different teaching methods to improve student engagement?

     • What Would You Keep the Same?: Reflect on what the teacher did well that you would keep the same. What methods or strategies did you observe that you would adopt in your own future teaching?

5. Step 4: Format Your Paper

   • Length: Your paper should be at least five pages in total (excluding the mentor form and references).

   • Mentor Form: Don’t forget to include the mentor form for each age group you observe. This is required for full credit.

   • Professional Writing: Ensure your paper is well-organized, clear, and free of grammatical errors. Write in a professional tone, using academic language and sentence structure.

   • APA Formatting: Format your paper according to APA guidelines, including proper citation of any references used. Include a title page, in-text citations, and a reference page.

6. Step 5: Final Review and Submission

   • After writing your paper, proofread it for clarity, grammar, and adherence to the assignment guidelines. Make sure you’ve met the page requirements and properly included the mentor form.

   • Ensure that your observations are well-documented and that you’ve reflected thoughtfully on the experience. Check that you’ve addressed each of the sections outlined in the instructions.

   • Once you’re satisfied with your paper, submit it according to the assignment guidelines.

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