Back to School Time and QR Codes

Well, it is that time of year.  Yay!  I have been back in school for 2 days and I have a great group of kids.  I am looking forward to an amazing year.

I have been working on a few QR Code things but have come across a hiccup.  I really wanted to have the QR Code posted around the room that the kids could scan and access a particular sight word or math problem.  Unfortunately, the print on the iPods and iPads comes up so small.  I think I will try doing it with a recording instead.  The kids will read a word or math problem on the wall and can use the QR Code to check and see if they were correct.  This switch is going to take a lot of extra time so I will post an example after a little while as I am feeling overwhelmed with the beginning of the year :)

I did spend a chunk of my summer recording my books on tape and transferring them into MP3 files.  Here is an example of a QR Code that I will put onto the cover of the book.  It will take the kids directly to the recording of the book.  If you haven't checked out my previous page on QR Codes, please do.  There is a great tutorial on how to do this on there.  Let me know if you have any questions and I wish you all the best of school years!

I Love you, Stinky Face

Whole Class Running Record Recording Form

As my mind gets back into the swing of all things school, I have been recreating documents and trying to find ways to get better at documenting student data.    This one is a form that collects class data on one page so I can see my student's scores at a glance.  I hope it is helpful to someone else as well.

Just a snapshot of the document

Click here for my Running Record Recording Form.

How often do I take a Running Record?

(Taken from ReadingA-Z.com)

Running records are taken most often at the earlier stages of reading. Students who are not progressing at the expected rate should be assessed even more frequently than the schedule suggested below. 

• Early Emergent readers (Levels AA–C): every 2 to 4 weeks
• Emergent readers (Levels D–J): every 4 to 6 weeks
• Early fluent readers (Levels K–P): every 6 to 8 weeks
• Fluent readers (Levels Q–Z): every 8 to 10 weeks

Calculating Accuracy Rate

Accuracy rate is expressed as a percentage. You can calculate the accuracy rate using the following formula:

(Total words read – Total errors) / Total words read x 100 = Accuracy rate


Independent = 95 – 100%
Instructional = 90 – 94%
Frustration = 89% and below