What are some methods for documenting children's ideas, thoughts, discussion and work?

Question

What are some difficulties you can encounter in recording discussions with children? What are some ways you could record the discussions, thoughts and ideas of children that could demonstrate their learning? How would you use this to facilitate further learning?

Answer 1

A photo journal of the childrens' individual work and the class projects work very well to show where their ideas and progress are, as well as develop their sense of esteem while encouraging and inspiring them to more ideas and motivation to learn. Having the children produce their own books with various themes such as nature (outline leaves) labeling the objects with words, etc. is also a wonderful way to document while having a future keepsake.  I love to make posters with photos of the childrens' activities and captions explaining what they are learning in that activity. I have used these things in producing evidence of the years's work for reviewers that would be checking out how our site is doing and whether we will be honored with a new grant for the next year. It has been quite effective on the professional level as well as bringing pride to both parent and child alike.

Answer 2

Relegous were gating smile.confiden.touching a good brains like small tree using water and their gone a fruites.big.We do whats the great  for their future.it may be.

Answer 3

I always have a pen and paper handy everywhere in my classroom!

Even during play you will hear some of the most amazing things and being prepared to write these things down is great.

A way to document and keep their work is by starting a portfolio for each child, which highlights their work

Answer 4

You can write it down, take pictures, video tape, and if you forget ask them... they might remember!!

Answer 5

Record the conversation that the children are having.  And take pictures at the same time.  When I do documentation in my class I include pictures, How we did it, what we learned, skills we practiced and things that they said during the project or discussion.