The role of observation in the recall of informational text

•The timing of observation for text recall is important to consider with elementary students.•Observation improves text recall with elementary students.•Grade 4 and 5 students benefit more observation experience than Grade 3 students.•Grade 3 students show higher levels of interest but not improved recall in observation conditions.

This study, which reports on previously unpublished data gathered in connection with a summer literacy-science program, Summer Explorers ( Bruning & Schweiger, 1997), examined the role and timing of observation on informational text recall by elementary school students. Students (N = 206) in Grades 3–5 observed and read about the Madagascar Giant Hissing Cockroach (MHC). Three conditions were employed: (1) students first observing live MHCs, then reading facts about them; (2) students first reading facts about MHCs and then observing them; and (3) students only reading facts about MHCs. Students in the observation conditions recalled more facts than those in the no observation condition, with Grade 4 and 5 students benefitting more from the observation experience than Grade 3 students. Grade 3 students showed heightened levels of interest but not improved recall in the observation conditions, findings consistent with potential developmental differences in metacognitive awareness for instructional activities.