Around the Kampfire

Elementary Teaching Blog

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • My Classroom
  • Shop
  • Contact

Managing Data Folders in the Primary Classroom

June 14 By Linda 30 Comments

Managing data folders in the primary classroom doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Find out how I’ve learned to use data folders effectively to guide my instruction and give my students a voice in their learning.

Managing data folders in the primary classroom doesn’t have to take a lot of time. In this post I’ll share some management tips plus how I’ve learned to use student data folders effectively to guide my instruction, but most of all, give my students a voice in their learning.  Learn how to implement this valuable tool and pretty much make it manage itself. I’ve even included a free data folder classroom kit at the end of this post to get you started.

Prepping Your Data Folders

I use paper pocket folders with prongs. I find the labels won’t stick to the plastic ones. Inside our folders I include graphs for reading fluency, math pre and posttest, and spelling. We are required to track all of these at my school, but you can include any subjects you like. We keep the discussion questions in the left hand pocket and glue the labels o the front of the folders.

Managing data folders in the primary classroom doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Find out how I’ve learned to use data folders effectively to guide my instruction and give my students a voice in their learning.

Teach Your Students to Understand Their Data

Explicitly teach students to monitor their progress and how to interpret their data. Make up a few example graphs and project them to discuss. Ask your students what they can determine about the example student’s progress. Use the discussion questions sheet to guide your students in determining the example student’s scores, their strengths, and what they need to work on.

Managing data folders in the primary classroom doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Find out how I’ve learned to use data folders effectively to guide my instruction and give my students a voice in their learning.

Set Learning Goals

Once students understand what their data is showing them and how they can use it to monitor their progress, teach them to set realistic and achievable goals for themselves. Discuss ways your students can accomplish their goals and what they can do if they don’t meet them. With your guidance, students can work toward successfully meeting goals in a systematic way.

Give Your Students Feedback

Feedback from you is key. It gives purpose to the process and without it, many learning opportunities are missed. Meet with students briefly to conference one on one or during small group times to guide them in setting their goals. The subject or activity you are collecting data on will determine how often you meet and set new goals with students.  For example, if my students are tracking their Accelerated Reader (AR) levels and points, I would help them set a goal at the start of each 9 weeks. I  briefly check in with several students each day to conference during our AR time. Tracking reading fluency would happen weekly or bi-weekly with conferencing during guided reading groups.

Have a Coaching Conversation

Have a “coaching conversation” where you listen to students’ insights and interpretations. Give feedback that guides them in where they need to be and how they can get there.  Encourage students to set small, incremental goals that are achievable. Setting clearly defined, realistic goals that include a plan for how to accomplish them, gives students a sense of pride and satisfaction in their accomplishments as well as motivation to achieve.

Set Up Routine That Works for Your Class

It’s important to find a routine that works for you and your students or you just won’t do it. I know from experience I tend to avoid things that aren’t working. Recording their data doesn’t need to take a lot of time.  Once students are familiar with the routine, it can be done in under 5 minutes without taking up instructional time.

Managing data folders in the primary classroom doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Find out how I’ve learned to use data folders effectively to guide my instruction and give my students a voice in their learning.

Keep data folders handy for your students, rather than taking extra time to pass them out. I have students record math facts and weekly spelling as I pass back their graded tests. Teach students the format you want them to use for writing in the category. For example, they can write the date, week 1, week 2, by standard, by concept etc. You might also want to write in the categories before you make copies. For spelling, I write in the spelling pattern tested before I copy my class set of graphs. I also copy everything I use at the start of each quarter.

Managing data folders in the primary classroom doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Find out how I’ve learned to use data folders effectively to guide my instruction and give my students a voice in their learning.

If you are not already using data folders, I’ve put together a free classroom kit to get you started!

The kit includes:

  • 4 different folder labels
  • 10 different graphs in a variety of scales and increments
  • Student discussion questions to guide conferencing & goal setting

This flexible resource includes scales in increments of  5 and 10. Differentiate easily with  graphs that go to 80, 100, and 200.  Titled and untitled graphs are also included.  This file is NOT editable, but I’ve included blank versions for you to write the title at the top and categories at the bottom.

Pop in your email and I’ll send you the FREE kit!

Student Data Folder Kit

Pop in your email and I'll send you this FREE Student Data Folder Kit!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Happy teaching and be sure to Pin this so you have it when you plan!

Managing data folders in the primary classroom doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Find out how I’ve learned to use data folders effectively to guide my instruction and give my students a voice in their learning. Download the free tracking graphs and labels to start your own!

 

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Powered by ConvertKit

Related Posts:

  • Getting Your Class Back On Track After a BreakGetting Your Class Back On Track After a Break
  • 10 Favorite End of the Year Activities That Quickly Become Traditions!10 Favorite End of the Year Activities That Quickly…
  • Teaching kids to tell time past the hourTeaching kids to tell time past the hour

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: Back to School, Classroom Management, Popular Posts Tagged With: back to school, classroom management, data folders, fluency graphs, student data tracking

Comments

  1. Karen says

    June 15 at 6:16 pm

    I love your data management ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      June 16 at 11:57 am

      Hi Karen! I’m so glad you found some ideas you can use! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great summer!

      Reply
  2. Brittany hutchins says

    July 9 at 9:13 pm

    I love this so much! It is so kid friendly. I am a fifth grade teacher and would like to use this for our reading lexile levels which go up to 1,000 sometimes. Is there a way to make this editable?

    Reply
    • Linda says

      July 10 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Brittany,
      The files themselves are not editable, but you could certainly block out the scale and make a copy, then use that ‘blank’ to create a master that fits your students by handwriting in a new scale.

      Reply
  3. Emma Chojnacki says

    July 18 at 7:32 am

    I didn’t receive my download in an email . 😭
    It was the data notebook file.

    Reply
    • Linda says

      July 21 at 10:18 am

      Hi Emma!
      Once you subscribe, by adding your email address in the pop-up, you will receive an email where you will need to confirm your subscription. There will be a link to the download there also. Be sure to check your promotions, social, and spam folders for the email as some email services will send there. If they do, you’ll want to move it to your primary inbox.

      I hope this helps, and thanks so much for subscribing!

      Reply
  4. Kristen says

    July 21 at 7:00 am

    Hi! I love your data folder info. I was hoping to get the free download but after I signed up the newsletter I still could not access the free starter kit. Help:) thanks!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      July 21 at 9:55 am

      Hi Kristen!
      Once you subscribe, by adding your email address in the pop-up, you will receive an email where you will confirm your subscription. There will be a link to the download there also. If you use Gmail be sure to check your promotions, social, and spam folders for the email as Gmail will sometimes send it there. If they do, you’ll want to move it to your primary inbox. I hope this helps, and thanks so much for subscribing!

      Reply
  5. Dana says

    August 14 at 4:27 pm

    Your data notebook looks amazing! It was not in my confirmation email 😢 How else can I get it?

    Reply
    • Linda says

      August 15 at 10:04 am

      Hi Dana,
      thanks so much for subscribing! You will receive an email where you will need to confirm your subscription. There will be a link to the download in the email. Be sure to check your promotions, social, and spam folders for the email as some email services will send it there. If they do, you’ll want to move it to your primary inbox.
      Hope this helps and you enjoy the date folders!

      Reply
      • Dana says

        August 15 at 3:09 pm

        I received the email to confirm my subscription. I also received the email with the link. However, when I click on the link, it wants me to scribe again.

        Reply
  6. Stacy says

    September 12 at 4:42 am

    I love the data folder for students!!!

    For some reason after I subscripted, I did not receive a email.

    Can you help me get this amazing down load

    Reply
    • Linda says

      September 16 at 12:33 pm

      Hi Stacy! Be sure to check your spam folder for the confirmation email with the link. You should be all set. Thanks so much for subscribing!

      Reply
  7. Kelly Castelli says

    September 17 at 3:14 pm

    Hi! I keep signing up for your website to get the free Data Folder Classroom Kit but I still haven’t received it. Please let me know if it is still available for free or for purchase. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      September 17 at 4:48 pm

      Hi Kelly,
      The data folder is free when you subscribe to the blog. Be sure to check your spam folder for the confirmation email. In that email, you confirm your subscription and there will be a link to download the data folder resource. Hope this helps, and thanks so much for subscribing!
      Linda

      Reply
  8. Kelly says

    September 19 at 5:47 pm

    I signed up to the newsletter (that I am taken to when I click on the data folder info) three times now. I checked in my junk mail and email (Around the Kampfire) and I still haven’t received data folder information. .Not sure what I’m doing wrong. Thanks.

    Kelly

    Reply
    • Linda says

      September 20 at 9:25 am

      Hi Kelly,
      I’m sorry you’re having trouble! Be sure to check your Spam,Social, and Promotions folders. the email may say from Linda @ Around the Kampfire. I just tested it and it is working correctly so the email may be in one of your other folders.

      Reply
  9. Natalie says

    May 26 at 4:11 pm

    Hi all! When I confirmed my subscription, it automatically downloaded the file for me! Check your downloads first!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      June 14 at 8:27 am

      Thank you, Natalie! Friends, be sure to check your spam and any other folders. If your email from me is there drag it into your primary inbox to tell your email service you want them to go there.

      Reply
  10. Cathy says

    June 9 at 4:47 am

    Love this, will be doing this when we return to school in August. Thanks for sharing and adding me to this site.

    Reply
    • Linda says

      June 14 at 8:25 am

      You’re so welcome, Cathy! I’m so glad to have you! Have a wonderful summer!

      Reply
  11. Sandy says

    July 9 at 6:04 am

    It’s not working for me either 🙁 I’ve checked all my folders. No email.

    Reply
    • Linda says

      July 14 at 9:43 am

      Sandy, I just subscribed you manually to the data folders. You should receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription with a link to the download. Be sure to check spam, social, promotions folders in case it went there.
      Linda

      Reply
  12. Krista says

    July 11 at 5:37 pm

    How do you access your reading fluency? By that do you mean words per minute?

    Reply
    • Linda says

      July 14 at 9:39 am

      Hi Krista! Yes, assessing correctly read words per minute is one way I assess reading fluency using these graphs. Although this is something I don’t use the fluency graphs for, we also want to work with students on their automaticity, phrasing, intonation, and expression. These provide us with clues to their comprehension.

      Thanks so much for asking!
      Linda

      Reply
  13. Molly says

    October 15 at 10:19 am

    It is not working for me either. I have checked all of my folders (junk, ect.) and your confirmation email is not showing up. Can you add me manually as well??
    Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      October 15 at 2:31 pm

      Hi Molly,
      It looks like you signed up with a school email address. Many schools (mine included) block outside emails with attachments. I recommend signing up again with a personal email address. All is well with the download on this end so that is probably what happened.

      Reply
      • Molly says

        October 16 at 4:47 pm

        Thank you!! Worked right away!!

        Reply
  14. Ella Y says

    August 14 at 6:15 pm

    Thank you for sharing your ideas. Especially the Back to School & Meet the teacher… it was a great help. Thanks for your wonderful work!!!

    Reply
    • Linda says

      August 25 at 10:02 am

      You’re welcome, Ella. I’m glad I can help!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome!

Welcome!

Let’s Keep in Touch!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Get Free Posters

Get Free Posters

Classroom Management

How to refocus students after a break

Join the Group

office supplies facebook group announcement

Virtual Teaching Help

distance learning for teachers book cover

Ready to Use Resources

digital phonics games word work CVC cover
First grade phonics activities unit cover
CVCC phonics activities unit cover

Search By Subject

Get Help Teaching Virtually

120 Educational Websites for Learning At Home

2nd grade Science lessons kids can do at home

10 Fun Science Lessons Kids Can Do At Home

how to teach online from home

4 Ways To Teach From Home During School Closures

Learn how to adapt your regular teaching resources for online learning

How To Adapt Classroom Resources for Online Learning

Free learn at home activities by grade level

Free Learn At Home Menus That Don’t Need Devices

virtual end of the year activities for distance learning

Virtual End of Year Activities for Distance Learning

Copyright © 2021 // Design by Laugh Eat Learn // Theme by Genesis Framework