Twice a year (February and June), students in my class are given the opportunity to give me descriptive feedback on how they feel the year is going in our classroom. I align these times with when I hand out their report cards.
My philosophy is that if I am going to give them an update on how they are doing, they need to do the same for me and our classroom.
I have done this teacher report card in different ways:
- students working independently or in pairs to answer given questions
- students working independently or in pairs to create a T chart of things that are going well for the classroom/things that they wish for the classroom
Other Considerations:
- It is always anonymous – I do not want names etc
- I take their opinions into consideration for future units of study, adjusting my teaching style, general classroom ideas
Next year I will have students fill out my report card in a Google Doc to increase their knowledge of this valuable technology tool.
Here is the process I follow:
- We start by discussing that without feedback we cannot grow as students, writers, authors, mathematicians, etc. Then we discussed appropriate forms of feedback: requests for the classroom, things they like about the classroom.
- Then we discuss non-appropriate forms of feedback: comments about other students or teachers etc.
- Students are encouraged to write down a solution to the items they write on the “wish they could change list”.
- Then I hand out paper and they get to work writing down things they like/want to improve.
My students wrote my “report card” last Thursday. Here are some of the things they said:
Likes: variety of books in the classroom library, how the classroom seating plan changes regularly, how I don’t rush through Math lessons
Wishes: show videos to illustrate Math/English concepts, they want to try different activities with their reading buddies not just reading-related activities, new books for the classroom library, more time for silent reading (who knew!)
I was very impressed with their thoughtful responses, and I am going to try to work on as many of their wishes as possible.
Other Methods:
- Have students fill out a premade questionnaire on Google Forms
- Hand out a 3,2,1 Chart to the students and have them write: 3 things they enjoyed about the class, 2 things they found difficult or could be changed about the class (must propose a solution), and 1 final thought, or 1 thing they liked/disliked about my teaching style, or 1 suggestion for next year
I think student-teacher feedback can be done at all grade levels as long as the activity is structured and modified to suit the grade level, and the readiness level of your students.
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I liked your choices of Things they liked and they wished. A glow and a grow. 🙂 Great idea!
I love your idea of a GLOW and GROW! I have only seen 2 Stars and a Wish! Thanks
I've used a Star and a Wish before when we do "fish bowls" for writing. I love the idea of using it as a concept anchor for this sort of activity as well!