Recently, a parent asked about her student’s performance. I used data to guide the conversation.
Together, we reviewed the student’s assessment results. That information made the conversation about facts instead of feelings and guesses.
We specifically discussed where the student is academically. Using the data to guide the conversation showed her that I am aware of her student’s high abilities and that I’m differentiating her student’s instruction to her student’s level.
Keeping my student assessments organized allowed me to quickly grab the data I needed for the impromptu meeting. Last year I kept student files in my filing cabinet. It didn’t work for me as I never caught up with my filing.
This year, I’m using an idea I got from a first grade teacher at my school. I use a big binder with a tab for each student. I record assessment scores on a page in the front of each student’s section. I keep assessments and parent communications in the binder. I also add student work. This means that if I ever need student work samples, parent notes, or test scores, they are all in one place.
This isn’t to say that all parent communications should be based on data. It’s still important to listen carefully and talk about ideas and feelings. But data can add another layer of information that enhances the discussion.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing the idea about being organized with a binder. I an gathering ideas before I get into my own classroom so that my first years I might be (better) prepared.
I am very interested in how to differentiate instruction.
Great suggestion! I think the binder idea will be really helpful.
I use a binder to keep all student information in so that I can quickly grab it to make ‘that’ phone call. I never thought about using it to keep data. I use a file folder system to keep up with behavior notes and work samples, but I think I may convert the work samples into my binder and add the assessment page. Thanks for such a great organization tip.
Karen, Stacy, and Melissa,
I’m glad the binder idea sounds useful to you all. It’s made a huge difference for me this year. I am not a great filing cabinet person. The binder is really good for me because it’s portable and easy to flip through quickly. It is getting full very quickly… I may need to expand to two binders by the end of the year.
Another key to the binder for me is that the student tabs are alphabetized by first name. It’s just that much more simple to add papers to each section.
Best,
Lauren
Lauren,
I have learned quickly that it is always best to alphabetize. In my notebook, I have the tab dividers that go through A-Z. It works wonders! Like you said, everything is right in one place. I am glad that you are taking such a leap and putting your experiences out there. There are many of us who are in the same position and have the same feelings, but keep ourselves ‘in’.
Best Regards,
Melissa
I am a sophomore in college majoring in elementary education. I enjoyed reading your blog and thought that your alphabetized binder was a great way to keep organized. Speaking from experience, I know that my parents always enjoyed seeing actual work that I had done, rather than the teacher just telling them.
I am in college majoring in elementary and special education. I enjoyed reading your blog and how you used data to help communicate with your students parents. It was neat to read how you used a alphabetized binder to keep organized instead of a filing cabinent.
It seems as if assessments are becoming ever more important these days. I am 20 years old, and my high school didn’t hardly give a darn about them, let alone my parents. Test grades and reports were what mattered. Is this something that is changing with parents? Are assessments paramount?
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