Narrative recording is essentially when an observer records everything seen. This type of observation is not limited to a particular event; instead, the observer details behavior of the first-grader as it happens. The benefits of narrative recording are that it is generally rich in detail and notes all behaviors in sequential order. The negatives are that it is time-consuming and it is difficult to observe an entire group of students at once.
Anecdotal records are observations usually written up after an incident occurs and involve describing what and how something happened, when and where it happened and what was said and done. The observer concentrates on one event involving the student or students. Often, teachers will collect anecdotal records over the course of a school year and create a cumulative record of observations. The major disadvantage of this type of observation is that it often relies on the memory of the adult.
Rating scales involve rating a student's behavior or traits based on a numerical scale, from 1 to 5 (from "not at all like the child" to "a lot like the child"). Observers can watch each child until each behavior has a score. This can be done over the course of a day, an hour or longer, depending on the observation outline. This method does not contain a lot of specific details, however, and may be skewed by the observer's preconceived notions or opinions.
When using a checklist for observing elementary students, the observer has a pre-designed list of specific behaviors and traits. Lists are easy to use and items can be checked off when a behavior is witnessed. The observer can use a checklist for the entire class or one particular student. This type of observation is good for planning future curriculum and deciding on what behavior the instructor wants to eliminate or encourage.