is on supporting the students as they become better writers. Remember to refer back to your previous notes during each conference with a student.
What questions might I ask in conferences in addition to the ones in the Conference Notes?
The Introduction of the Teacher’s Manual suggests open-ended questions you might ask. These questions convey genuine interest in the students’ writing and in the students as authors. Examples include:
- Where did you get the idea for this piece?
- What have you learned about good writing that you can use in this piece?
- What is one question you want to ask me about your piece?
- What do you want help with?
How will conferences change over the course of the year?
Conferences start in Unit 1 (grades 2–5) or Unit 2 (grades K–1). Early in the year,
conferences will focus on just getting to know the students as writers—their skills, motivation, and interests. As the year progresses, the focus will shift to particular aspects of writing that you’ve taught in the lessons, including writing craft, author’s purpose, and writing skills and conventions
Where should I hold conferences?
Your Teacher’s Manual suggests that you confer with students at a back table. Having a specific conference space in your classroom sets a familiar location and experience for each conference. You may also consider conferring with students at their desks (either pull up a chair or kneel). This option helps to reduce transition time and allows the writer to experience less interruption from the writing process before and after the discussion.
How will I record the notes I take during a conference?
You can record your observations from each conference on the corresponding “Conference Notes” record sheet (CN) in the Assessment Resource Book or in the CCC ClassView assessment app.
How should I organize my conference notes?
The “Conference Notes” record sheet (CN) in the Assessment Resource Book captures your experiences when conferring with students using the Teacher Conference Notes found in the Teacher's Manual. The record sheets may be kept in a folder, binder, or separate student writing folders. Using a clipboard during conferences may be helpful. You can also record your conference notes directly into the CCC ClassView assessment app.