The goal of all our conferences is to support students in their learning. We also want them to be actively engaged in their learning process. Setting appointments with students is one way to engage them and hold them accountable. By keeping track of these appointments in our Pensieve, we are held accountable as well.

Stephanie Bartell wrote from Chicago this week and explained their school's adaptation of making appointments with students. "Teachers received week- or month-long dry erase board calendars that they used as a tool to remind kids when their next meeting with the teacher was. As soon as a conference ends, the teacher lets the student know when they will meet again. As the teacher writes it in her Pensieve, the student goes to the dry erase calendar and adds his/her name to that day on the calendar. The kids love it and it helps remind them when they will meet again."

Sherry, a first grade teacher at Gail's school, purchased a large desk calendar and posts this on her white board. Now when she sets appointments with students and writes their names in her Pensieve she also writes their names on the calendar which is posted for everyone to see. They young students also love knowing they will have their teachers undivided attention.

We love your ideas Sherry and Stephanie!, Thanks for sharing!