Data-Driven Classrooms

In 2011, Hurst Middle School opened it's new wing and welcomed me to the second floor. I remember it as if it was yesterday. I also remember it because it was the year, I started pinning classroom ideas on Pinterest. 

I had my son with me. He was no more than 8; a gifted 8, but 8 nonetheless. I shared with him that I wanted to create a data board but I wanted a clever saying for it. He said, "Ok, I know this is going to sound cheesy. But how about tracking our pawgress?" You know like paws?" And, well, what can I say?! The phrase has been with me every since. The bulletin board phrase has been my most shared pictures on Pinterest as a matter of fact. 

This page is designed to show you how I have used data in the math classroom with my students over the years and have made it apart of our instructional program. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, I do hope that the images shown below will help you understand how data can be integrated into the classroom and become apart of the culture and the teaching process. 

My current practice is to place these charts in the class announcements charts and make them apart of our daily agenda. We talk about what we notice as a class and ways we can improve. We also talk about how we can help each other. It gets competitive between classes as students in the class make comments such as, "we will get them next time Dr. Robinson." And if you take a look at the Personalized Learning page, particularly the Milestone Mayhem charts, you may notice that my Green class really grew during the 2021-2022 school year. As indicated by the data, they were an interesting, fun bunch who made teaching and learning worth every penny! Ahhh...teaching...never a dull moment. :-)

Star Celebrations Driven by the Students Own Data

Earlier I showed a picture of my Star Status Board. Just as the Tracking Our "Paw"gress Board is still going, so is the Star Status Board. So, below are pictures of how it started and how it is going.  The celebrations are quick. Yet, the students enjoy getting their stars. And I have noticed that it doesn't the time of year that they earn their star. They are still happey to have earned it. Celebrate their successes.