Student grids
Use a grid to record students as they work through certain activities. This method enables you to quickly group children according to ability level for centres. In a bird's-eye view you can see which children need enrichment as well as which students need reviewing.
"Sticky Notes" work well because they are easy to slip into individual student files without having to recopy. In order to ensure that you have observed every child throughout a lesson or a unit you may want to try this method:
- Laminate a piece of bristol board large enough to put a sticky note for each student.
- Using a permanent marker write every child's name (after you have laminated the cardboard). Names can be erased with alcohol and the board can be used over and over again from year to year.
- Place a stack of 3 to 4 sticky notes under each name.
- Write observations on sticky notes throughout the day. When you have comments for each child remove the notes and stick them into individual folders. You are ready to start over again. This method ensures that every child is observed.
Journals
It is important that students are encouraged to write observations in mathematics and to write about mathematics in general. Writing about mathematics can be done in their personal journals. These can be evaluated by the teacher.
