Classroom Calendar

When finishing an individual conference, the teacher and student decide and agree together on the student's next steps, and the amount of time needed to accomplish them, and schedule the next conference session.  The student's name is placed on the calendar in the conferring notebook, and the teacher departs after leaving a word of encouragement. 

The calendar is a great tool. It increases accountability and reinforces to students that they are worthy of this high-quality time with their teacher.  It also helps to eliminate the continual "When are you going to meet with me?" inquiries that teachers often get.

One idea I use to further increase accountability for myself and to help remind students to be prepared is to post a community calendar on the wall.  I purchased an extra calendar from the local teacher supply store, laminated it, and posted it in the room with a dry erase marker nearby.  As I finish a conference with a student, the student goes over to the community calendar and writes his/her name on the day we are to meet next.  

In the beginning it was hard on me because I truly was held accountable for meeting with each student. However, now that it has become routine, I notice I am meeting with more students and they are working hard to "prepare" for their next meeting date.