A Coach Uses The Conferring Notebook With Teachers

To learn more about the online conferring notebook, visit: ConferringNotebook.com.

by Crystal Pelletier

The Conferring Notebook is a key component to using the CAFE methodology to track and maintain records of student progress while working to engage students in daily literacy assessment and instruction (Boushey & Moser, 2009). Using the conferring notebook provides the educator with an organized, easy-to-access tracking method that allows for portability and mobility in the classroom. It is perfect for classroom teachers of all grade levels.

As a learning coach, I have also found that the Conferring Notebook is a great tool to help me track the growth I am seeing with my colleagues. I now use it to track my coaching. I have created groups based on schools. I entered the names of the teachers I am currently working with and the principals at each facility.

I use the individual conferring pages to track coaching sessions with individual teachers. I have areas for individual colleagues, areas for special groups (such as schools, teachers, and principals), areas for focus (such as reading, writing and other), and a calendar to track appointments and meetings.

Tracking and focusing on teacher-selected areas of learning helps support and build our capacity to increase student achievement. The Conferring Notebook is an important tool to enhance the support I offer my colleagues as their learning coach. The web-based nature allows me to have all my information at my fingertips, regardless of which school I am visiting.

References

Boushey, G. & Moser, J. (2009) The CAFE book: Engaging all students in daily literacy assessment and instruction. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.