How to simplify data to benefit your classroom

You have worked hard on collecting all of your data, Great Job! Now, I bet you’re wondering the same questions all of us ask:   What on earth am I supposed to do with this information? What is data driven instruction? How can I simplify data to benefit me in the classroom? Having so much information can very easily become overwhelming and time consuming. This may cause frustrations with having to use this information and not being able to simply focus on the standard.  With state testing approaching, you’re more than likely more concerned with the need to have your students understanding all the grade level information before the test. Sitting in a meeting comparing data with other teachers and looking at what they’re struggling with compared to what you’re struggling with is not an easy task for anyone.  With so much going on, in addition to your regular daily duties, can result in looking for an easy button. As someone who has been there with you in the trenches, let me help you put yourself at ease and keep frustration and anguish from guiding your teaching. Here are some easy steps to go through to prevent the feeling of being overwhelmed when it comes to analyzing and taking action with the data you’ve gathered.

Steps to Simplify Your Student’s Data

The first thing you want to do is simplify.  Remember divide and conquer!  Make a decision on a subject you and/or your team wants to work on with a 6 week growth plan. I would recommend choosing a core subject like reading, math, or writing. Then once

you have picked a subject, get out your calendar and plan out your 6 weeks of standards that you will cover. These will correlate with the data you have been reviewing. Be as specific as possible when it comes to when you want to give pre and post common

formative assessments. The data you collect will be the guide for your lessons and small group instruction. When it comes to assessments, it does not need to be a formative assessment. Make it quick and easy so that you can group and adjust your lesson plans. I personally love using a note card check or a piece of poster board laminated with my students numbers exampled in the picture.  I would write a question that I wanted the students to either answer before or after the lesson I taught. The students would write their name on the back of sticky note and the answer on the other side. Then I’d have them take the sticky note up to the poster and place it on their class number. Once the lesson was over, or the students were performing the activity I could quickly go over and pull the sticky notes and group them into categories. Got it, Almost got it, and Did not get it. Again divide and conquer!

Now with the sticky notes as a guide in five minutes or less you can change your small groups. In doing so you’ll see so much growth in students now that it’s easier to tailor lessons for each particular small group, you’re better able to match your students needs individually. This will be more beneficial for each of them as opposed to simply teaching to the “average” group of students. At the end of your 6 weeks, give a formative assessment to see what they have retained. You will be surprised with the progress your class has made!

October 11, 2018 | 1 Comment