Google Spreadsheets + Screenchomp = Dynamic Reading Records

August 9, 2013 by brholland 8 Comments

As teachers begin to organize themselves for the upcoming school year, just a suggestion for those looking to track Guided Reading. A few years ago, I encouraged our first grade teachers to use a Google Spreadsheet for tracking Guided Reading rather than a standard Word Document. This way, all of the data could live in one location, and both teachers could access and edit the same file simultaneously. An unintended consequence, however, was that at the end of the year, they simply shared the document with the 2nd grade teachers to that the process could continue.

This sample spreadsheet shows the progression of students over two years with their reading. (NOTE: all of the names have been changed.)

However, for a teacher inheriting this information, the notes may not be enough. That’s where the Screenchomp app for iPad comes in. Imagine this:

• Either import a PDF, or take a picture, of what the student is about to read out loud.
• Allow the student to read from their paper copy.
• Hit the record button in Screenchomp and capture your student’s fluency along with your annotations in real time!
• Add the Screenchomp link as a comment in the spreadsheet with your notes

Now, either as a teacher inheriting a student, or even reflecting back on student progress during the course of the year, you have your notes plus an authentic recording of the student reading all in one place! You could certainly do this process with other screen recording apps. I just happen to like Screenchomp for this because it is FREE, scrolls to the full length of a page, and generates its own link to add to the spreadsheet.

NOTE: No iPad? No problem! A web-based screencasting tool such as screenr.com or screencast-o-matic.com could also work.