Kids Say the Darnedest ThingsAnecdotal note taking in the real world.
Presenter: Beth Arthur Senior Screening & Assessment Specialist Early Learning Coalition of Brevard [email protected] 321-637-1800 x 2019
What we will cover today:
What are anecdotal notes? Strategies for note taking
Why do anecdotal notes?
How to use anecdotal notes to:
•Assess children’s development
•Influence teaching
•Build relationships
What is an Anecdotal note?
“Anecdotal notes are detailed narrative accounts that describe a particular event factually. “ The Power of Observation Jablon, Dombro and Dichtelmiller
What this really means: Jotting down what you see and hearchildren doing.
3 rules for notes:
CLEAR-
CONSICE-
FACTUAL-
CLEAR
Child’s name
Where
When
What happened
CONCISE
Avoid descriptive language
Avoid emotional language
Write what you actually see
FACTUALWrite only what you seeor hear
Who
What
Where
When
Avoid Why
Examples:
At center time Megan laid a doll on top of a diaper and triedto pull the diaper up between the dolls legs. When this didn’t work sheleft the doll on the table and went to the sand table.
OR
Megan laid a doll on top of a diaper and tried to pull the diaper up very roughly between the dolls legs. When this didn’t work she got mad and pouted. She gave up and left the doll on the table. She abandoned the baby and went to the sand table.
Which note gets the thumbs up?
Which note gets the thumbs up?
As the children gathered around forlarge group time around a pile of wrappeditems, Nicole said “Uh-oh, there are morechildren than presents.”
OR
Nicole came to large group time withan attitude. She looked at the pile of wrapped items. She gave Jeremiah a mean look and said “Uh-oh, there are more children than presents.”
Know what you are looking for
Curricula that utilize Anecdotal notes or Observation to Guide Instruction
and Assessment
•Creative Curriculum
•High Scope
•Beyond Centers and Circle Time
•Montessori
Know what you are looking for• Objectives for Development& Learning (ODL)
• Child Observation Record (COR)
•Creative Curriculum: 7 Domains: 28 items
plusSocial Studies &
The Arts (8 items)
•High Scope:Infant Toddler6 Categories: 28 items
Preschool6 Categories: 32 items
Activity
Let’s try it!
Activity
Matching Notes to Domains
Making Notes Work for YouWorking for Your Notes
Strategies
Get Organized – Make a Plan
Post-its: A love hate relationship
Pro:Individual serving sizeStick-ableCompact for teacher pocketsReady made
Con: Small - Individual serving sizeStick-together-ableCompact for children’s pocketsCost
Use what you have
Better to note on anythingYou’ve got than missthe chance!
Clipboards
The Lowly Clothespin
Be Creative! Make it a part of your room.
…worth a thousand words
Video captures everything…
Children love to seethemselves on video
Parents love to seetheir children on video
Teachers love to takenotes from video
Why take notes?
•Make your program responsive to children
• Conduct assessments and write reports
• Work together with families
What you learn about children
by reading and evaluating
anecdotal notes can directly influence
how , what and WHO you teach.
When Assessing Children’s DevelopmentTechnology is your friend
Both the Creative Curriculumand High Scope have online
assessment tools
TS GOLD COR Online
OnlineCOR makes teachers' and administrators' jobs easier by streamlining record keeping, report writing, and tabulation. You will save timeManaging anecdotes — You will be able to enter, score, and track your anecdotes online.Reporting on individual children — Using information from the COR, Family Reports and Growth Profiles are automatically created for each child.Planning activities — COR scores are aligned with appropriate activities designed to support and scaffold children at their current level of development. Activities from our publication, What's Next, are available online.Reporting on group progress — Reports include results in mandated requirements such as COR Item T: Showing Awareness of Sounds in Words (which encompasses alliteration and phonological awareness) and other critical components of child development.
Assessment for Creative Curriculum
Teaching Strategies GOLD
Key for age ranges
Relationships with Families
What do these people
have
in common?
They have gone to school for their profession
They participate in ongoing training to keeptheir knowledge up to date
Their judgment is trusted
They are respected by parents
•Know your stuff in Early Childhood education (continue education & training )
•Be able to provide parents accurate information about their child and his/her development
•Share assessment information and anecdotal notes at parent conferences.
•Gain the respect you desire by being a PROFESSIONAL Teacher
Contact me:
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