Purposeful Notes

List or no list? For me, a trip to the grocery store looks very different, depending on the answer to that question. When I go with a list, I go in with purpose, check off the items as I place them in the cart, and leave having accomplished my goal in a timely manner. When I make a trip without a list, I usually plan to just grab a “few” items and inevitably end up wandering aimlessly, taking more time, and leaving with more than I intended.

Entering the store with a list in hand means I enter with a plan. If I get sidetracked, I look at my list and redirect quickly. I don’t forget what I came for, and I am successful in having all I need by the time I leave.

Isn’t this true in many situations in life? We use notepads and organizers for more than just our grocery list. We keep records of our schedule and important dates, lesson plans, finances, gift lists, and so on. Why do we take the time to document this information? Because we know that recording it in some way, shape, or form helps us remember, be purposeful, and accomplish what we set out to do. This is why we keep track of our teaching and student information in a conferring notebook.

Each time we confer with a student, we open our notebook and know the plan for our time together. No time is wasted. Everything we need is right in front of us so we can pick up where we left off, seamlessly. We listen and then we take notes. We record what we observe, how and what we teach, and the next steps. We set goals and make an appointment that holds both the student and us accountable. The amount of information we have for each student grows as the year goes on, giving us a more complete picture of them as a learner and helping us determine what they need to keep moving forward.

We haven’t always written down our interactions with students. There was a time when we thought we could remember it all and that the conversation with students was enough. In those days we conferred with only a small number of students each day. We were unsure what to write down, and each conference looked similar because all students were working on the same strategy. Individualization was lacking.

Fortunately, we know better now, so we do better. Our children deserve the just-in-time instruction that makes the most of every interaction and teaching moment we have with them, and the conferring notebook is our tool for doing just that. We recognize the importance of recording goals, observations, and next steps, and use that information to inform our instruction.

Whether you use a paper-and-pencil conferring notebook or an electronic version doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you are using something and that it is a priority. With a conferring notebook you enter each instructional setting with a purpose and leave with a plan for next steps. You accomplish what you set out to do, and students succeed. It’s a win-win.