One of the most difficult things to figure with an individualized program, is how to keep track of what the children are accomplishing during the active, Writing Work Period. For they must have a certain amount of freedom, in order to learn to take responsibility themselves for getting their work done.
So instead of trying to watch and coax or nag them as they’re working, you need a system that requires them to take responsibility for showing you their work by the end of that period. I wanted it to have a visual signal that I could see at a glance from across the room — something that would also be a signal to them. I could have some idea of how they were doing. I didn’t want to ask them, for reminding them, would be me taking responsibility.
At the same time, I didn’t want to give them a reward for doing their work. For I found children to be intrinsically motivated to work with Key Words. That is, intense satisfaction came from within them. So I wanted to avoid giving them anything that would interfere with that. And extrinsic rewards, such as colorful stickers might be felt as an extrinsic reward. (See a discussion of intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation.)
I also wanted to be sure I could see how they were doing — so I could give them immediate feedback — when it was still fresh on their mind. For what good is it to discover — after school — that a child needs correction or help — completely failed to do what was expected? That meant I had to have an obvious signal to serve as evidence they had shown me their work. And I wanted to be able to judge for myself — if 2 children were having a long discussion about something, I could be more at ease if I could see that they had both finished their work and been checked.
So I decided to give them a pin…. required they have their pin by the end of the work period. For what good is it to discover — after school — that a child needs correction or help? (Studies show that immediate feedback is most effective.)
I also wanted something quick and easy that would be a signal I could easily see at a glance from across the room. Just so I could have an idea of how things were going — before the end of the period. With so many children I might forget whose work I had already checked — besides, I wanted it to be their responsibility — not mine.
So I settled on pinning a clothespin on their shirt/blouse to signify I had seen their work.
And I required they have their pin by the end of the work period. For what good is it to discover — after school — that a child needs correction or help? (Studies show that immediate feedback is most effective.)
Other teachers write the date on the child’s page — or use a “Must Do” chart the child signs-off. These work well, but that means the teacher has to stop what they’re doing to go look at the chart or the child’s book –if uncertain. I wore a half-apron, full of clothespins (and pens). So this placing a pins a child’s shirt or blouse quick. And I could see at a glance from across the room, whether a child was already wearing a pin. But keeping all this in mind –just find something that works for you.