Data :Wall" is Under Construction

 I have a dream... it is to figure out a way to track the reading levels of my 900 students for \he years that they are enrolled with us. It is all IN MY MIND... I have to figure out how to get it IN MY SCHOOL! In my mind, I have a whole room dedicated to charts with movable cards so that we can celebrate and move them up/over to the next spot with great pride and flourish! In my school, I have teachers sharing rooms and 4 classrooms in portable buildings... So for a couple of years (we are beginning a two year process of building/rezoning in my district), my Data Wall is going to have to be portable.

Today we ordered a bunch of these pocket charts:

 





 Y'all - I ordered TWENTY!! I am so excited to get them in. Plus, don't you love the black charts? That will look awesome! I'm planning to have one chart for each level.

Then I ordered a couple of boxes of these:

I am going to color code these for each grade level. I saw a GREAT example online that used the student id #s on the front and different dots for special programs on the card as well. I am definitely doing that!! On the back, I am thinking about putting their picture. We get small "sticker" pictures from our photographer. How meaningful - teachers will be moving their kiddos up to the next level and we can see their sweet smiles when we do it! We can put dots for special programs on the front and list interventions on the back, if applicable.

So, it sounds like a BEAUTIFUL idea!! Don't you think? Well, if you are wondering what has taken me so long for the data wall, it is the lack of wall space. Then, I found this:

Into the cart it went. Hopefully it can hold all of my charts. Maybe I should have bought more than one, but storage is an issue right now as well. At least I can pull the charts off of this for the different grade levels and then place them back on after we meet. (Flash forward...In two years I am going to hang them on the wall!)

So, that is my "Under Construction Data Wall" - comprised of many great ideas I've seen at other people's schools and while browsing on line. It has been rolling around in my mind for a while, and I've finally pulled the trigger.

We are focusing on DRA levels because I believe that is the KEY to their success. I am so very fortunate that I work for a superintendent that does not believe in "chasing the banner". State test scores are not how we define success in our district. However, we all still want to shine. I want my students to shine by becoming confident, life-long readers! I have never met a child who loved reading that could not pass a state test. I believe it all falls into place once we hook them on reading, don't you?

So, I will update you after my teachers complete their Beginning of Year testing and I put the "Portable Data Wall" together. I can't wait until Mid Year when we can move our little Bears on up a few more levels! Celebrations ahead!