Anecdotal Records

An anecdotal record is a detailed descriptive narrative recorded after a specific behavior or interaction
occurs (as sited in McFarland, 2008, p. 31).
What is an anecdotal record?

Why do we use anecdotal

records?

What are some of the systems

used for anecdotal record taking?

Teachers use anecdotal records to monitor and track development, plan curriculum, and assist in
communication with co-workers and families.

Index Cards
Technology: digital recorders, cameras, and computers
File folders with stickers

Anecdotal records should be observations that are written in everyday language.

Only what the teacher observes should be recorded. Teachers must keep an objective
mind set in order to capture what is truly happening in the classroom. Avoid labeling
the childs behavior with words like mean or delayed.

Procedures for
Implementation
1. Choose a method
for keeping your
records.
2. Decide on a time
of day you are
observing and which
students you will
observe.
3. Jot down the
observations
and
record them in the
appropriate spot.
4. Reflect at the end
of the day to make
adjustments
to
teaching.

Benefits for
Special Education
Teachers
1. Allows the teacher
to get a clear picture
of what is going on in
the classroom and
assists in tracking a
childs development.
2. Gives teachers a
way to communicate
in a collaborative
manner that benefits
the students.

Methods for Using

Anecdotal Records
for Formative
Assessment
1. Anecdotal Seating
Chart

2. Daily Scorecard
3. Objective Grid
4. Focused
Anecdotal Records
Assessment Tool

3. Teachers can
utilize the anecdotes
to help communicate
with students
families.

Boyd-Batstone,P. (2004). Focused anecdotal reords assessment: A tool for

standards-based, authentic assessment. The Reading Teacher, 58, 230-239.
Cornelius, K. (2013). Formative assessment made easy templates for collection
daily data in inclusive classrooms. Teaching Exceptional Children, 45, 14-21.
Lingo, A., Barton-Arwood, S.M., & Jolivette, K. (2011) Teachers working together
improving learning outcomes in the inclusive classroom-practical strategies and
examples. Teaching Exceptional Children, 43, 6-13.
McFarland, L. (2008). Anecdotal records: valuable tools for assessing young
childrens development. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 36, 31-36.