One of the most important pieces of being a professional educator is the ability to maintain organized and accurate records of both instructional and non-instructional materials. For example, if a student has a note to be picked up after school and the teacher loses it and forgets, there is an obvious problem. Record keeping involves student completion of assignments, student progress in learning, and records of non-instructional activities that are vital to day-to-day activities, such as the note to not ride the bus. Professionalism in this element is so important because it allows teachers to communicate with parents in order to best improve the classroom environment. Methods for recording are just as varied as the material being recorded; if recording formal assessment, a grade book or spreadsheet may work best, while informal records may be kept in a notebook. Elements of this include:
Student Completion of Assignments
Most teachers, but especially those at the secondary level need to keep track of the assigned work. These records should include not only completeness, but also level of accuracy.
Student Progress in Learning
In order to plan the most impactful lessons, teachers need to know where each individual student is in their learning. This information can be obtained formally or informally, depending on the students. Either way, it should be updated on a regular basis.
Non-Instructional Records
Non-instructional records involve all of the aspects of daily life in the classroom that must be recorded, particularly if it involves money. Examples of these would be keeping track of which students turned in a permission slip, who has paid for their pictures, and who is getting picked up that day.
Implementing in the Classroom/Artifacts Demonstrating Competency
Student Completion of Assignments
Most teachers, but especially those at the secondary level need to keep track of the assigned work. These records should include not only completeness, but also level of accuracy.
Student Progress in Learning
In order to plan the most impactful lessons, teachers need to know where each individual student is in their learning. This information can be obtained formally or informally, depending on the students. Either way, it should be updated on a regular basis.
Non-Instructional Records
Non-instructional records involve all of the aspects of daily life in the classroom that must be recorded, particularly if it involves money. Examples of these would be keeping track of which students turned in a permission slip, who has paid for their pictures, and who is getting picked up that day.
Implementing in the Classroom/Artifacts Demonstrating Competency
- Keep a binder of notes on each individual student so that notes can be written quickly during class
- Use class dojo to keep records of both positive and negative actions of students
- Have students mark in a chart once they have completed assignments
- Have a team leader keep track of missing assignments for their group
- Leave post-it-notes on the door frame to keep track of important information for the day so that is the last thing you see before exiting
- Take a picture of important notes that you receive, especially if the actual note is sent to the office
- When collecting permission slips, place all of them in a labeled accordingly
- Color code important papers
- Photo labeled for reuse
- (2018). Static.pdesas.org. Retrieved 21 April 2018, from http://static.pdesas.org/content/documens/danielson_rubric_32.pdf