When I confer with students (in reading or in writing), I really like to leave them with some tangible reminder of the strategy I taught them. That way, I have a record of what I taught them, and so do they.
I used to rely on Post-it notes, which was fine in the moment, but it was often difficult for the kids to find them when I came around to confer with them the next time, so I ended up referring to my notes most of the time. This left me wondering if they were really using the reminder at all.
As I thought about this, I wondered if a more lasting reminder system would lead to more transfer of the teaching done in conferences. That’s when I thought of strategy rings. I love the ring system – the rings are relatively cheap (and even cheaper if you use half of a pipe cleaner instead), and they are easy to add to but definitely durable. This system isn’t groundbreaking – it’s exactly what I was doing with Post-it notes, but it lasts longer and is easier for the kids to use.
Every time you have a conference, just hot whatever you teach on a (pre-hole-punched) notecard, and let the student at it to their ring of strategies. This makes it easy to hold them accountable, and they can trade with their partners when revising.
Julie,
I love your ideas but I teach kindergarten. Can you give me sites of kindergarten teachers from your school I can look at for anchor charts, etc. I woud appreciate it. Thanks!
Hi Donna,
I’m sorry I just saw this! I will do my best to take more pictures in the Kindergarten classrooms at my school. š
Thank you so much for this! I use a lot of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model reading bookmarks when I conference with kids. They don’t seem to be able to keep track of the bookmark, so I’m really excited to try this!
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!! Do you have a list of different strategies I can recommend my students to use? Thanks!
I agree do you have a list of strategies you use?
I don’t have a written list of strategies, but this is certainly something I can work on putting together. š
We had a full day of Training & Development today. I was talking about the importance I place on conferencing. Just love this idea. Thank you so mych for sharing it.
This is the best idea thank you so much for sharing, I am a third grade teacher and plan on doing this in my classroom. I was wondering where you got the rings and what their specific name is. Thank you very much once again!
Take care!
Hi Laura,
They are called binder rings, and you should be able to get them at any office supply store. They come in several sizes. I like the smallest ones. š
Could you please tell me a few more of the comments/strategies you use? Do you make the card you give them or do they? I like that they’re dated. Please let me know. Thank you.
Hi Cheryl,
I don’t have a list of strategies, as I typically come up with them on the run based on what I see the child doing or what I know their individual goals to be. I always start out making the cards because it’s faster, but as they get used to it, I have them make them, as it tends to stick better if they write it themselves.