For the Parent Contact Log I needed something that was fast and easy. I teach in an area where parent contact is essential but not an easy feat. Parents change phone numbers and addresses often so I wanted to make sure I had a place for more than one contact and several phone numbers. I also wanted the student's principal and guidance counselor listed so I could CC them on any email as well let them know if I was calling home due to a problem in class. I made the doc so I could print it double sided so if I have to contact a parent MANY times (due to lack of response) I could record each attempt.
As for the Bathroom Log, I loved the idea that I originally found. But again, there were some issues. First, I needed space for each student. (I will be adding my students name to the list once I receive my roster. Each student is assigned a number for calculators, etc. so their number is also listed) Second, I needed a place to record the dates and times because that is a school policy. Instead of an X students will write the time they leave. Upon entering they will highlight the time? Not sure about that one yet. But I am telling students that they have a 5 minute grace period to return to class. By finals last year I found myself setting timers and taking off Dojo points if they weren't back. (More on Class Dojo in high school later) I love the idea of students having only two times a week allowed to leave. I'm hoping this saves the wandering student from trying to leave everyday without argument. (It was never a 'set' rule so I didn't have a great arguing point, but everyday? C'mon! Common sense people.)
The gradebook is still in the making. I am so close to fitting 30 students with a row for grade AND a row for attendance. I NEED this in my life. The majority of students in my school are absent frequently. Like every few days absent; and I do mean majority. Last year I had a desk calender on the wall with every assignment listed under the day. I thought it was going to be fool proof. Well, it would have been if students knew what days they were absent on. (Yeah, that frequent) And they would turn in any assignment they had missing, if they were absent or not. My system was not set up well for knowing if they missed an assignment due to absence or just laziness. So if the grade is right above the attendance for the day I (hopefully) will quickly see if a student was present and if the assignment is just late. *Cue singing angels*
What do you do to manage bathroom sign outs or parent contact? I would love to hear!
