Running records: A Great Idea!

So, I thought it would be fun to share a brilliant idea from this year. And while I started out doing really good on this, I let it slip as the year went on.  However, I plan on implementing it ALL next year! This worked wonderfully when I did use it and wanted to share it with you all. All you need are:

Address labels (this size works great), a clipboard, pen, and index cards.

Stick the labels on a clip board like this. And while you're walking around observing students, make notes. Write ANYTHING! Ex: Ashley is struggling with letter sounds. Continue to reinforce letters: H, M, and Y/Grant is reading well. May want to bump him up a level. Continue to reinforce tracking print. Try a different pointer?! 

You get the picture - right!? 

Anyways...at the end of the day....or end of the week, match the labels to student cards (I use the LARGE index cards) and stick your notes on there. The label method works so well and keeps me from rummaging through 20+ cards to make notes on every child in my class. As you can see, I mix mine. Sometimes I write on the cards, other times I use the labels. It's just a fast and easy way for you to keep running records on your students. AND - BONUS! Are you ready? Come Parent/Teacher conference time...all you have to do is pull out the notecards and share your observations. Viola! Just a note: I typically use 4 cards for our 4 nine weeks. I stick the labels on the front AND back. 

Thoughts? What was your brilliant idea for the year? I'd love to hear! Do you have a grand idea for keeping notes on your students?!