Gathering Data About Students

Survey Monkey =

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DMPJJRX

Gathering Data About Students

Interest survey =

http://www.theteacherorganizer.com/2011/07/things-that-interest-me-kid-1q2survey.html

My students are always motivated and engaged when they are learning about something they are interested in. By having their areas of interest identified I will be able to plan accordingly to keep them engaged and on task throughout the lesson/unit.  I will continue to integrate their areas of interest into different classroom projects, themes, and units.

This interest survey is designed for primary grades including second grade.  It is easy to complete for students and parents, and will provide some good information which can be used to guide my suggestions for independent reading materials.        My hope is that students will complete the survey with their parents nearby, so parents have the advantage of hearing the information from their own children.  Also with a little encouragement and help, they can then use the survey information to provide more independent reading material relevant and interesting to their children.  

 Learning styles survey = www.jones.k12.ms.us/.../Form

A learner profile describes the ways in which my students learn the best. A learner profile can include information on learning preferences and differences related to gender, culture, and personality. It also might include information on my students learning strengths, needs and types of supports that have been successful in the past. Learning preferences and learning styles preferences typically refer to the general environment in which a student learns best. This may include preferences for: a quiet versus noisy room,  a busy room with lots to look at and interact with versus a bare room with few distractions, a movement friendly room versus one in which sitting still is valued, a flexible schedule versus a fixed schedule, a warm versus a cool room to work in. 

Learning styles typically refer to how a student tends to use senses to learn.  Auditory learners like to hear directions aloud, discuss what they are learning, use word games, puzzles, riddles and songs, work with partners, do choral reading, and teach others for clarification.  Visual learners like to draw pictures to represent ideas, use games and puzzles, use visual clues to remember, use visualization to see pictures in their minds, use graphics and flowcharts, use videos for review, look at books, watch others to see what to do.  Kinesthetic learners like to have opportunities to move around, trace and outline, act out concepts and stories, make models or do experiments, write or draw while listening, walk while talking, and imagine themselves in the situation. 

The goal of a learner profile is to find out as much as possible about how an individual learns. The goal is not to label students as certain kinds of learners but rather to help them develop multiple pathways for learning. When working on unfamiliar and/or challenging tasks, students will be more confident and motivated if they are able to work in their areas of strength. Students need frequent opportunities to work in their preferred sensory and thinking styles. At the same time, it also is critical to ensure that students have learning opportunities that stretch them beyond their preferences and allow them to develop a wider set of learning skills. This will help them become more confident learners who can work through challenges.

Learning Style Inventory

Grades K - 2

Name:                                                                                    Grade:                       Date:             

My best way of learning is:                                                                        

Kinesthetic

N 1.	I can put things together without directions.	J	L
ö 2.	I learn best when I create something by myself.	J	L
e 3.	It helps me if I can move around when I work	J	L
b 4.	I use my hands when I talk.	J	L

                Total # of responses:  yes______         no______    

Auditory

– 5.	I read better when I read aloud.	J	L
õ 6.	I would rather listen to a story than read it myself.	J	L
Ž 7.	I get distracted by noises like whispering or coughing	J	L
à 8.	I would rather tell the answer than write it down.	J	L

               

Total # of responses:  yes______         no______    

Visual

O 9.	When I finish my work, I like to draw pictures on it.	J	L
ó 10.	I need to see my teachers face when she is teaching.	J	L
ñ 11.	I need to see pictures and videos to help me learn.	J	L
ã 12.	I need to write it down so I won’t forget it.	J	L

Total # of responses:  yes______         no______    

Total # of “yes” responses                                    Kinesthetic

                          Auditory

                          Visual

Multiple Intelligences Survey =

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgssd.ca%2Fdocs%2Fstudent%2520srvcs%2FModule3LearningProfileInventorySample.doc&ei=O5gmU5OfFoTsyQGby4

Another framework for reflecting on how individuals learn is examining different types of intelligence. Intelligence can be defined as a brain-based predisposition to excel in a particular area. Howard Gardner (1994) identified eight intelligences, that individual possess in varying combinations. Thomas Armstrong (1994) came up with student-friendly terms for each intelligence: verbal-linguistic intelligence (or word smarts), logical-mathematical intelligence (or number smarts), interpersonal intelligence (or people smarts) intrapersonal intelligence (or self smarts) spatial intelligence (or picture smarts) musical-rhythmic intelligence (or music smarts) bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (or body smarts) naturalistic intelligence (or nature smarts).

The purpose of  the Getting to Know You Survey is to gather information about students’ learning profiles and interests in order to guide instructional planning and to differentiate accordingly.  Some recommendations for completing Getting to Know You Survey is to

Explain that there are a variety of options from which to choose within each column and that some items within a column may be opposites. It will also direct each student to check every item that applies to him/her in each column.  It will help students prioritize items that have been checked in each column.

Getting to Know You . . .

To do my work, I like  to. . .	When working, I like  . . .	When working, I like the room to be. . .	To share information with others, I like to . . .	At school, I like. . .	In my spare time at home, I like to . . .	In my spare time at home, I like to . . .
Sit	Quiet	Cool	Tell what I know	Music and/or Art	Work/play outdoors	Make music or play an instrument
Stand	Music	Warm	Show what I know	Reading	Watch or play sports	Create art (sculpt, draw, make crafts)
Lie on the floor	Noise	Light	Write about what I know	Writing	Play games (board or computer)	Collect things
Work Alone	Activity	Dim	Other (?)	Math	Create make-believe stories	Act out stories
Work with a partner	No movement	Lights off		Social Studies	Build or create things	Help others
Other (?)	Other (?)	Other (?)		Science	Read	Other (?)