Happy Sunday friends! We are having such beautiful fall weather here in Houston, so I hope it's just as nice where you are!
Today I'm here to share how I track data in my math classes. Since I teach in a Two-Way Dual Language classroom, I have two different math classes each day and 39 students in total to track. It's definitely a challenge at times, but I've found three very simple ways to track data in both of my classes. My motto this year is simple content driven instruction and these totally keep me on track.
#1 Pre-testing
Before I start a new unit in math, I also have some sort of pre-test. It can be a hands-on activity to gauge what my students already know or it can be a paper and pencil pre-test. Either way, it's a great way for me to see who knows what, who needs re-teaching, and who is ready for some extensions.
#2 Quick Checks
Every week in math, I have several quick checks for my students. These are simple and normally one to two questions in length. I normally write the two questions on a piece of paper and then project the questions using my document camera. My students write their responses to the quick checks in their math journal. The idea of quick checks is that they are quick and no-prep! They are a quick way to see which of your students need re-teaching in a small group.
While my students are responding to the quick checks, I'm walking around monitoring with a small clipboard, three to four markers (each a different color), and sticky notes. I normally choose different colors each time, so that the students don't figure out a pattern. As I walk around, I give each student a colored dot at the top of their paper. I also take notes on the sticky notes, so I know who to meet with in small groups. Later after the lesson, I call kids to my table by calling out their color. Sometimes I meet with the kids who understand to extend their learning and sometimes I meet with the kids that need re-teaching. It's just an easy way to quickly assess my kids and make meaningful small groups.
#3 Blended Learning
I'm still pretty new to the blended learning model, but I'm really trying this year to use it to help me differentiate instruction for my second graders. I love using Edmodo in my classroom! Right now, we are using it mostly for math and I have my students turn in assignments.
Today I'm here to share how I track data in my math classes. Since I teach in a Two-Way Dual Language classroom, I have two different math classes each day and 39 students in total to track. It's definitely a challenge at times, but I've found three very simple ways to track data in both of my classes. My motto this year is simple content driven instruction and these totally keep me on track.
#1 Pre-testing
Before I start a new unit in math, I also have some sort of pre-test. It can be a hands-on activity to gauge what my students already know or it can be a paper and pencil pre-test. Either way, it's a great way for me to see who knows what, who needs re-teaching, and who is ready for some extensions.
This was a fun pre-test activity for fractions that I found from Amy from Step Into Second Grade. I was able to quickly see who understand the concept of equal and not equal. Plus, the kids had no idea I was assessing them.
#2 Quick Checks
Every week in math, I have several quick checks for my students. These are simple and normally one to two questions in length. I normally write the two questions on a piece of paper and then project the questions using my document camera. My students write their responses to the quick checks in their math journal. The idea of quick checks is that they are quick and no-prep! They are a quick way to see which of your students need re-teaching in a small group.
While my students are responding to the quick checks, I'm walking around monitoring with a small clipboard, three to four markers (each a different color), and sticky notes. I normally choose different colors each time, so that the students don't figure out a pattern. As I walk around, I give each student a colored dot at the top of their paper. I also take notes on the sticky notes, so I know who to meet with in small groups. Later after the lesson, I call kids to my table by calling out their color. Sometimes I meet with the kids who understand to extend their learning and sometimes I meet with the kids that need re-teaching. It's just an easy way to quickly assess my kids and make meaningful small groups.
#3 Blended Learning
I'm still pretty new to the blended learning model, but I'm really trying this year to use it to help me differentiate instruction for my second graders. I love using Edmodo in my classroom! Right now, we are using it mostly for math and I have my students turn in assignments.
The assignment is to watch a video that I created and then answer a short question. It really helps me easily collect data and it really helps guide my instruction. I also can use quizzes to collect data from my students.
I really hope this helped you gain a few easy ways to keep track of data. I would love to hear how you collect and keep track of data. Let me know by leaving a comment.
I really hope this helped you gain a few easy ways to keep track of data. I would love to hear how you collect and keep track of data. Let me know by leaving a comment.
I love that you talked about quick checks! They are the best way of knowing if a student understands! Melissa from Mrs. Dailey's Classroom
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