Final answer:
The third guideline for informal classroom observations entails deciding the level of participation in the observation setting. It is important to balance participant involvement with effective observation and documentation of the participant's natural behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Third Guideline for Informal Classroom Observations
The third guideline for informal classroom observations focuses on the observer's interaction with the environment. When planning for observation, it is important to decide whether you will be a participant observer. This involves determining the level of participation and how it could affect your observation tasks.
If you are actively involved, you need to assess your ability to focus on the tasks, how often you can document your experiences, and strategies for managing potential distractions. The setting should be one where the participant's natural language use or behavior can be observed effectively.