Gradebook Be Gone

So I have a confession...I can't stand grading! It doesn't matter how many pretty Papermate Flair pens I buy, I still don't enjoy it. Especially after I sit there grading my papers and then have to gather them to put them in my gradebook. So instead, I started notebooking and only graded assessments. But...I didn't grade them in the typical way, I decided to get down with data. After all, if I'm going to spend precious time grading something, I'm going to walk away with something useful. I know DATA is that big scary word that's thrown around way TOO much these days. But data, when used for its true purpose, and not to beat up teachers, is actually quite powerful. So, here is a peek at my gradebook or actually Data Notebook. 

This cover is courtesy of Haley O'Conner-Teacher Binder. I now have an addiction with pretty covers! I love how easy it is too coordinate her binder covers! It's worth the purchase! 
 

Next is where I plan my data. I look the upcoming assessment, and decide how to best plan my instruction. Think, backwards design. Just taking the time to do this (which isn't as much as you think) is really powerful for your instruction. When we are always trying to fit everything in, this preparation will help you figure out what the most important take aways are.

 

Next is where I keep my recording data template. I have other subject tabs (literacy data, math data, etc.) were I store the scoring sheets for reference after completed. I just like the keep the template close for copying purposes. 

 

 

This is a SAMPLE of how to do the data sheet. It can look overwhelming, but is is not at all! It takes the same or less time than the old gradebook method. Just from this sample, I can clearly see. Which questions were the most missed and which students I need to pull for further instruction to ensure mastery. Plus, when you go to meetings, you can easily discuss student progress and data.

 

At some point, and maybe not for every assessment, I try to reflect. After all, data is only powerful if used correctly! I used the SAMPLE to show you how I reflect on the data. But this will look different for all. This is your time to be that reflective practitioner. Also, for evaluation purposes, you have evidence of purposeful retracting as needed.

 

After that comes my RTI tab which contains district RTi information and this Data at a Glance Sheet I created to help me track data points for specific RTI goals.

 

The last tab is a page for each student where I can jot down anecdotal notes when grading assessments. Notes that will be important for conferences, meetings, and report cards, etc.

 

Whew. So that my friends is how to get down with data! If you like to purchase his pack please click the picture below! 

Monday Made It

Monday Made It - Pizza Box Portfolios

Yes it's Monday. My official last Monday of summer break. I report back to work THIS Friday. I should be relishing every last minute of my summer break, yet somehow, I have found myself assembling 25 pizza boxes. Here's why: 

So this year I am setting out to do pizza box portfolios. I went to my local restaurant supply company and picked up some pizza boxes. On the front I have created a cover page that says, My 'OWL'standing First Grade Work.

So the front is still kind of too plain for me, so i'm thinking i'll be letting students earn writing awards and we can glue them to their boxes as they earn them. I'm currently creating these awards. More to Come!!!

Here it is up close and personal :) 

On the inside of the box, I plan on putting published writings. At each writing celebration we will put our portfolios out and allow parents and students to tour or boxes. I decided to put a Meet the Author page on the inside flap. 

I also created a sheet to go with this for the celebrations. Parents and students can use the 'hoot n' holler page to leave compliments about the writing. 

These documents will be uploaded to my TPT store soon and will be known as "OWL"standing Parent Communication 

Back to School-The Name Game

Hey ya'll! I have to report back to work in 5 days! Eeek! I wanted to share with you a fun back to school game that your kiddos will love AND it will help everyone learn new names. This game can be played from small kids (like my firsties) all the way with adults. I've never tried it in kindergarten, but GO for it!!! The instructions are below. I can tell you, your kiddos will love this and have a smile on their face. It's a great first day or second day of school game. I do advise that you give the kiddos a chance to learn names and interact with their peers before playing this game. So you may want to do it in the afternoon of the first day or on  the second day.

The Name Game

You will need:

A large blanket

2 people (1 person to hold up each side of the blanket) 

Students/Players divided into 2 teams

How to Play: 

1.You (the teacher) will hold up one side of the blanket. You will need another student (who may need to stand on a small step stool) to hold up the other side. The blanket should be held up between the two teams, creating a barrier. So one team is in a straight line on one side, and the other team is in a straight line on the other side (talk about a great time to practice line procedures). 

2. The object of the game is to be the first person to say the other person's name when the blanket drops. Whichever student or player says the other player's (the player on the other side of the blanket when it drops) name first wins! It's very important that the line is straight and only one person from each team is up to the blanket so the players don't get confused as to whose name they are trying to guess. The loser must go to the winners team. You can play until it gets down to two people to determine the winner. *If you have a student helping you hold up the blanket, make sure to rotate them out, so they get a chance to play too!*

You will be surprised how hard it is to come up with their name under pressure. We have played this game at our family functions and it's always hilarious as well. This could work as a great staff icebreaker game as well. 

I'm hoping you can visualize this...I plan to post some pictures once we play this in my class next week! Happy Name Calling - In a good way of course!

Five for Friday

For the first time ever, I'm kind of bummed it's Friday! Why? Because it's my last Friday off before I have report back to work. Guess I should make it count! Here goes my Five for Friday.

1. I've been working on creating a revised edition of my weekly newsletter. Just finished the template. 

2. I want to give a shoutout to A Bird in the Hand Designs for blog makeover.. I am in LOVE and I must say the process was so quick and easy! If you need a blog makeover, I highly recommend you check out Megan's website. 

3. My son is growing like a weed! He's about to be 5 months. Time slow down! 

4. My school is pretty particular about our copies, so I have gotten creative and have started a pack called 'paper savers.' These are fun, engaging activities that you your kiddos can do on whiteboards or just plain paper. So it's VERY low prep-no copies!!!!! I'm still working on the back to school pack and I will then move on to October and the other months. 

5. It was my birthday this week! Yay!