taking anecdotals/observations

[tamara]

I teach 3 to 4 year olds- we have to take daily anecdotals to match our assessment which is Work Sampling is there anyone else that does this and if so I am looking for an easier way to take written observations under each domain. HELP!!

tamara:eek:

[Boxcar]

There was a thread about this a couple weeks ago. Someone suggested using post-its, which was a good idea. Here is my suggestion: get a small pad with a hard back. It can be something like what a waitress/waiter uses. Each time you write down a little note about what a child does, rip it off and stick it in a pocket chart. Have a shorthand for yourself. If you want to say "block", draw a square. Whatever works for you. If you need to, write up these notes more neatly at the end of the day. Do you have to have a record for each child in your class everyday? That can be hard, but it is possible. I'd have a system of sorts. For example, decide to watch these five kids during Circle on Monday and these five at Snack on Monday and these five during Centers. Then on Tuesday everybody rotates. Those from Snack are watched at Centers. Those from Centers are watched at Circle. Those from Circle are watched at Snack.

[DeSand]

I teach Pre-K, and we do the Work Sampling system, too. I find that sticky notes work well for anecdotal notes. I keep them in my pocket, along with a pen, and I jot down notes when I can. I use them for individual notes, and also to quickly jot down names/observations during a group activity to later put into a matrix. We also keep work samples, which are great for the creative arts and literacy domains, and we have a digital camera that we use to take pictures (great for Worktime or anything related to Physical). I hope this has helped.

[mopar]

I love the post it idea. I use a manila folder (for cost) and put a bunch of posts on the folder. I try to group them how my students are grouped for the day. I write the initials of each student before the day begins and then can take easy notes on each student per class by just pulling out a different manila folder. Once a post it is full, I replace it with a new one and write the students initials.
I try to use the same post it for more than one day for the same type of activity. Then I keep one manila folder for child that I just drop the posts into when they are filled. I try to write detailed notes for one kid each day by compiling their filled post its.

[tamara]

Thanks- I really do not like using post it- but I am going to try using the waiter/waitress pad and try a rotating system. Also, any suggestions for a matrices. Great ideas!!

[DeSand]

Tamara,

I just noticed you are from Georgia. So am I!!

[tamara]

Tamara,

I just noticed you are from Georgia. So am I!!


Yes I am from Milledgeville and you?

[DeSand]

I am from Helen, but work in Gainesville.

[tamara]

Hello desand,

go to my profile and your will see my work email send me your email

[mopar]

What does your matrices need to look like? I have some samples but can't give you advice on what works if I don't know what you are looking for.

[tamara]

What does your matrices need to look like? I have some samples but can't give you advice on what works if I don't know what you are looking for.


Anything- related to Math- Language & Literacy Social Skills- Creartive Arts Physical and Health Science- These are the domains in Work Sampling- let me know what you have I am pretty sure I could use it.

[mopar]

The most simple matrix that I have is a grid. Across the top of the grid I list my work samples. Down the side of the grid I list the domains I want to target.
Then I just put a check mark to show what samples show which domains. Its fairly easy.

Another type of matrices that I've used pertains to each subject area. I keep a manila folder for each domain area I want to assess. Then I make a list of all the standards in each domain area that I teach. Across the top, I write dates that I teach a lesson or have the student work on that topic. Then I put the activity that addresses each standard, since I can do more than one activity in a day.
The second way I usually have to change monthly but it shows much more than the first way.

Are these anything that you are looking for?

[englishchick]

Hi I don't know if this helps but here in the uk we use what is known as the Foundation Stage Profile to assess children 3-5. This has been through a 3 year process of change in the way that people assess and provide evidence. Previously, people used post-its and photos to document evidence but that proved difficult to maintain in the classroom as you have a lot more to do then just stand around with a pen and paper waiting for something to happen. As such there is a big move to only documenting when a child does something noticeably different to before, particularly if this seems to be a consistent progression in development. For example, rather than constantly making sticky notes saying that Johnny mark-makes, write that once then only comment again when he begins to be able to give meaning to his marks, then again when he begins to create recognisable marks.

I have no idea if that is any help or just a load of waffle!

[englishchick]

Oh and we have set areas to assess:
Communication Language and Literacy
Mathematical Development
Creative Development
Physical Development
Social and Emotional Development
Knowledge and Understanding of the World

but these are about to change with the development of the new Birth to 5 curriculum.

[tamara]

I did not completely understand how you took observations- we "domains" Social and emotional, Approaches to Learning, Math, Language and Literacy, Science, Creative Art, and Physical and Health- I find myself taking unnecessary observations as well as repeating myself.