Data, data, data. Yes, teachers hear about the importance of this millions of times a day. However, not until my graduate studies did I realize that I can change the format the data of my students to fit more of my style and classroom. Yes, standardized tests, running records, and DIBELS are all great methods of assessing data, but it is important for teachers to know that data is not only restricted to these types of assessments. It can also include:
1. Writing samples of each of the writing genres taught in class. Students love to read through old writings and see how much they have improved. These can be kept in a three-ring binder-portfolio style. I even recommend students to keep them somewhere in the attic so they can reread them when they are old and gray, for laughs.
2. A reading/writing questionnaire for the students and for the parents. This can also go in their portfolio. It can even be re-administered throughout each quarter to see how/if it changes. It asks them how they feel about reading/writing, lists strengths, and weaknesses, and can even include growths and goals.
3. Students' record of their own growths from one standardized test to the next. In my classroom, my students love racing up to tell me how many points they went up. Or, they realize, uh oh, I went down and want help fixing it. This helps them take responsiblity for their learning and also helps them have a little more appreciation for those dang state tests.
Just some thoughts anyway!
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