Ideas for taking Anecdotal Records (or Observational Notes) in Pre-K and Preschool. Find more assessment ideas.
Organizing
Making supplies easily accessible is important. I have a chair pocket at both small group tables and baskets in the room to store my anecdotal supplies. Sheets of labels can be attached to a clipboard, and the clipboard can be placed in a chair pocket or basket in different areas of the room, such as the large group meeting area, small group tables, or near centers. After writing them, you can drop them back in the basket or chair pocket, and collect them later to sort onto each child’s anecdotal record sheet. You can also put the labels in file folders with a pen clipped to it. To keep up with which children you’ve written anecdotal notes on, you can write their names on a calendar each day you take notes.
Free printable calendars: Calendars That Work.
Update: As of 2012, I changed schools and now use Work Sampling System Online. I no longer use the labels or sheets for notes listed below. I just jot notes into a notebook and type them into WSO.
Anecdotal Records for Assessment
I use 2×4 inch mailing labels. When I take an anecdotal record, I write the child’s name and an abbreviation for the month. I jot down an abbreviation for the time of day: SG for Small Group, LG for Large Group, C for Center time. Several children’s notes can be written on one sheet of labels. I wait until later in the day or week when I have time to peel the labels off and attach them to each child’s anecdotal record sheet. I have a sheet for each child in a notebook.
Pre-Printed Labels
Pre-printed labels are great for observing a planned activity, such as a small group activity. For example, if we are using Unifix cubes to make an AB pattern, I pre-print labels that say “Making an AB pattern.” At small group time, I write each child’s name on a label. If a child needed help with that activity, I write an “H” on the label. If a child did not need help, I put a check. If a child was absent, I write “absent” on it. These labels are also peeled off and attached to each child’s anecdotal record sheet.
Anecdotal Record Sheet for Labels
Anecdotal Records for Documenting Children’s Work
To document children’s work, I use a form with space to write down the materials the child was working with, my observations of what they did, and what they said while they were working (quotes). I use these mostly during center time. Sometimes, I add these to the child’s portfolio along with a photo. A copy can be made to send home for parents to see what their child has been doing at center time. These anecdotal records are useful in making documentation panels and chronicling a child’s work for their portfolio or newsletters (which are like a weekly journal). Voice recorders are also very useful for documentation.
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