Math Conferences are Noteworthy

Math conferences are instructional tools that allow us to connect with our students, follow their reasoning, and determine their mathematical understanding.  These one-on-one interactions allow us to find out comprehensive information about what a student truly knows and what areas need to be addressed.  Conferences can be brief and informal, but are time well spent for all involved.  Meaningful dialog provides students with immediate feedback and support while it provides teachers with honest data that can drive quality instruction.  An important component of this process for effective planning and instruction is to use some form of note-taking.

There are a variety of ways to record what you have learned while conferring.  The key is to find the easiest and most meaningful record keeping process for you.  Binders or clipboards loaded with printed record sheets, spiral notebooks, sticky notes, or index cards are just a few ways to keep notes.  You might choose to list the goals or standards and mark the progress each student is making towards mastery.  You might prefer to mark off a notebook with a section for each student and write brief anecdotal notes.

However you keep your notes, the most important thing is to use them.  They are a valuable guide for planning and instruction.  These notes can help as you:

• Plan ongoing instruction.
• Prepare meaningful whole group mini lessons.
• Form flexible skill groups and differentiate instruction.
• Set the pace for your teaching.
• Guide your choice of topics.
• Tweak your strategies and methods.
• See who has mastery and find ways to challenge them.
• Develop remediation and support strategies for those who need more time on a concept.
• Create math stations for extensions and added practice.
• Assess.
• Set goals.
• Follow up on next steps.

Math conferences build relationships, provide quality information for students and teachers, and determine the next steps that drive meaningful instruction.  Remember there is value in the note taking process.  Choose a record keeping method that works for you and use it to broaden your understanding of students’ needs and your students’ understanding of math.