Sunday, March 9, 2014

Bright Ideas: Tips for Organizing Progress Monitoring Materials

It’s time for another Bright Ideas Blog Hop!

Blair Turner's photo.

Last time I was amazed at the wealth of knowledge shared, so be sure to hop through or browse through the linky at the bottom to find some new ideas to make your life easier as a teacher!

This year, I’m a reading specialist for 2-6 one half of the day, and a Title I teacher for kindergarten the other half of the day (at different schools). Organization has always been a challenge of mine, but this year it’s been impossible not to keep my progress monitoring materials and data organized.

For progress monitoring, I keep a binder for each measure. For instance, we share a big binder for AIMSweb passages at one of my schools. We have tabs to separate grade levels, and then we keep the ORF student copy on one side of the page protector, and the teacher copy (with numbers) on the other side. At my other school, I organize my EasyCBM Letter ID and Letter Sounds measures back to back, so that all of my week one materials are in one page protector and I just have to flip it over in between assessments.

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I keep track of my official data for the class on a data sheet like this one I made. (Picture from last year, when we used DIBELS. Yes, I know ALL the tests now, haha.) I know this feels like one more thing to do, but like with my lesson plans, making the form that fits what I need at the beginning of the year is so helpful!

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I also keep a sheet in my teacher binder for each student that I update just around grade card times or before conferences. It is absolutely vital for parent teacher conference organization!

For anecdotal notes, I kept it very low-tech and used basic supplies you already have:

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I flip the index cards over and write the students’ name or number on the edge of the card.

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Then, I tape it down from the top on the very bottom of the file folder.

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I layer the next card over it so just the name is showing.

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And keep going…

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And finally, I put a cover for the teacher’s name (or group time, boy/ girl, etc.) on the top of each group.

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When I am finished adding for each class, I can easily flip to the kid I need- but the notes are always covered & secure.

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When I fill a card, no problem- I just put a new one in its place and file the filled one away in my student folders. I might also use scrapbook paper and/ or washi tape to cute this up- but I was in a hurry and this only took me a few minutes to pull together!

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All of my notes fit in this one folder for the entire afternoon- and if a teacher asks about that kid, it’s easy for me to instantly flip to that kid’s notes.

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This could work for academic notes, behavioral, workshop/ CAFE conferencing, or pretty much anything YOU need- but it’s a simple way to keep anecdotal notes at your fingertips!

Next up in the link-up, you can find some new, fabulous writing ideas from The Bubbly Blonde.

The Bubbly Blonde

Thanks for stopping by!


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11 comments:

  1. Nice! I love this! Convenient, & I LOVE how easy & quick it is to put together! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I'm such a paper and pencil (or pen) kind of person that these are perfect! I like to have everything in one, easy to access spot! Great visuals and tips!

    Theresa @ True Life I'm a Teacher!

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  3. Love this! I should do the same thing for my notes!

    Angelia
    Extra Special Teaching

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  4. This is a fabulous idea...simple, convenient, and very useful!

    Brandi
    Swinging for Success
    Follow me on Facebook!

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  5. That's a great idea! Having it all in one place would make it easy to grab for a meeting, without having to take a whole binder. Thanks for sharing!

    Sara :)
    The Colorful Apple

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  6. Great minds think alike!
    http://missjohnstonsroom.blogspot.com/2013/08/diys-classroom-library-labels-august.html
    Lindsey

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  7. Great way to put all the kids together in one binder! I also use index cards but I store them in those recipe card boxes - this is easy to see, and once they're filled up, they could go in the card box!

    Buzzing with Ms. B

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  8. Love the pen and the frog

    Kinderpond

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  9. This is such a great idea for tracking my ELL's progress on an activity.... I am making one of these tomorrow! Thank you so much for this idea! :)

    …andtheyallfalldown...

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  10. This is a great idea -- AND I have a pack of Postit Index Cards that will work just perfectly!

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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!