You asked if I kept notes separate from the checklist that I show in the blog. Since I am teaching the entire time during math workshop, I find it hard to really stop and take notes. That's why the checklist works best for me. I can quickly indicate each child's understanding of the skills. When conferring in reading and writing workshop, I can take notes as I listen to them read or talk with individuals about their reading or writing, but in math workshop, I teach students in small groups with 7 other kids. Stopping to take notes during or between rotations would really interrupt my teaching. When I correct journal pages, I do keep track of students' performance. If a student is really struggling with a concept, I will make an extra note of that so that my teaching partner is aware of my observation.
Jen,
You asked if I kept notes separate from the checklist that I show in the blog. Since I am teaching the entire time during math workshop, I find it hard to really stop and take notes. That's why the checklist works best for me. I can quickly indicate each child's understanding of the skills. When conferring in reading and writing workshop, I can take notes as I listen to them read or talk with individuals about their reading or writing, but in math workshop, I teach students in small groups with 7 other kids. Stopping to take notes during or between rotations would really interrupt my teaching. When I correct journal pages, I do keep track of students' performance. If a student is really struggling with a concept, I will make an extra note of that so that my teaching partner is aware of my observation.
-Beth