Diverse learning episodes: naturalistic observation in an early mathematics classroom

This applied paper is a report of a naturalistic observation in a mathematics classroom focus-ing on two second-graders. Following an exploratory visit to understand the setting and de-velop more specific questions for the study, the purpose of this empirical investigation was to describe the behavior of two children in the particular classroom setting. The two children expressed different patterns of reactions while working on individual activities and in whole class instruction. Field notes on the students’ behavior and the classroom environment were collected during visits. Evidence on the strategies the two children used was also recorded. Accounts from the collected observations are briefly presented and interpreted. Conclusions are drawn and further questions are raised. Keywords: naturalistic observation, mathematical behavior, classroom setting, interpretation of episodes Received: 02/01/09 Initial Acceptance: 04/02/09 Final Acceptance: 03/23/09 Resumen El articulo presenta un informe de observacion natural en el aula de matematicas centrado en dos alumnos. Tras una exploracion inicial para comprender el contexto y desarrollar cuestio-nes mas especificas para el estudio, el objetivo de esta investigacion empirica fue describir el comportamiento de dos ninos en una situacion de clase especifica. Los dos ninos mostraron diferentes patrones de actuacion tanto trabajando en actividades individuales como grupales. Durante las visitas realizadas se recogieron notas de campo sobre los comportamientos de los estudantes y el clima de aula. Ademas se grabaron las estrategias utilizadas por ambos ninos. Presentamos de forma breve los resultados de las observaciones realizadas y se realiza la in-terpretacion de los mismos. Por ultimo, se establecen las conclusiones y nuevos interrogantes.