Missed Opportunities

The title says it all. In other professions, it means different things. Thoughts of a higher commission, a faster cure, a more sure fire defense; some serious, some lighthearted, but something all professionals reflect on or should, at some point. For teachers, missed opportunities bring on a sense of guilt. Woulda, coulda, shoulda, and a child didn't get to realize their full potential.
So is the story of my friend, JK. A child from a broken home, low SES, but supportive (most of the time) environment. Inconsistent, but involved enough to return library books, turn in homework (some weeks), but not present at after school events.
About a month ago, I told Olivia JK was a story I'd missed. He has several nervous habits--fingernail chewing, sitting on his feet, not his bottom, purposefully sits on the end of his row,etc. Taken alone, not a huge deal, but possibly a sign of something. Tried to contact Dad a month ago, didn't get a call back, lost focus, didn't try again. That's when I told O, there's something I'm missing. Something I
might regret.
Ability wise, his strength is math. Great puzzler--sees the solution to things big-picture view. Made
great strides in reading. Had been reading level D, with a group of 5 others. Next to lowest group.
Time for guilty part now...
Running record tested to a level J today. Where my almost top group is reading. Missed opportunity is an understatement. I knew he was the strength of this group, but really?  I'm 4 groups off?  7 levels? How unfair to him. A kid who can't afford to miss the chance to be challenged and I do.
So, 3 days of school left. No time to fix this mistake, so here's a promise. Next year a schedule of assessment for every student and running record check every 2-3 weeks. Lessons planned from analyzed records. Fridays?  6 students?  That would be everyone systematically once a month. Each group once a week?
A folder, with space to record and dates. Keep forms and notes in there. In addition to my planning folder. If it's there and set up, l'll use it. No more JK mistakes.

Here's my plan...

Names              Date
column            column
                         list GR level

All kept in folder--include single copy of Houghton Mifflin books, one from each level A-J (make sure labeled on front of book), my calculation sheet, blank sheet of paper for each student--label name at top from beginning, sheet with name of book and word count for each book.  Keep in GR crate.

More on assessment notebook I want to start in next post.  I think I'll title it now.