Conferring Record Labels

Today was day 2 at the Literacy Institute and I took the workshop on Conferring.  Great stuff!  When I first started Writing Workshop I was conferring as much as I could.  As the our focus got redirected over the years on other demands I did less and less conferring.  That's why I was really looking forward to this workshop - I really needed some help with management and guidance regarding conferring with my students.

Yesterday I created a weekly form to record the times you confer with students.  Today I saw a different way some teachers organize this.  Instead of a recording sheet, they set up a folder where each student gets a section.  (Some laminate sheets of construction paper for each student.)  Then they carry around a sheet of labels to write their notes on.  At the end of the day they peel the labels off and stick them in the folder in the student's section.

I think I might like this way better so I can keep all the student's conference records in the same place.  I guess I'll have to try them out to see what will work best for me.

I've taken the Weekly Conferring Records and placed them in a label format.  This sheet is set up for the Avery US Letter Format template 8460 for labels 1" x 2.63"

Click on the preview below to download the labels.

Inspiration is a Kick in the Butt

This week I am attending the Literacy Institute offered by my county.  They always have great workshops and keynote speakers.  Today was the 1st day and as usual I'm faced with the reality of how amazing these teachers are out there!  I start to realize all the areas that I've slipped in or could do better in.  I should be better and I know I can do better!  These presenters and teachers certainly are inspiring.  Hence the "kick in the butt"!  It's time to take what I know works and blend it with some of these new ideas that I'm discovering!

One area that I know I had been lacking in but honestly was just trying to keep my head above water in was "conferring" with students in Writing Workshop.  The first few years I started Writing Workshop I was having my little meetings with students and writing down feedback on post-it notes.  Then as the years passed and I schedules got changed, I ended up just trying to squeeze in some good Writing Workshop time and let the conferring side go a bit.  It became more verbal feedback but I'd lose track of who I talked to about what and when!  So this year I'm trying to be proactive.  I've created this "Conferring Recording Sheet" to put in a Conferring Folder.  This way I'll be able to keep track of who I've already met with and what we talked about!  There is a spot for the student's name, the star = a compliment about the writing, and TP = the Teaching Point you'd like the student to work on.

Click on the preview below to download this form for free.  I hope it helps you keep up with your conferring!  I certainly hope it will help me!

Oh, BTW . . . my daughter's 1st birthday is this THURSDAY, so I'll be having a sale to celebrate her birthday on my TpT!  Everything will be 10% off!  Don't forget to come shop!