I have found the use of databases as a teacher tool to be a wonderful asset to my organizational skills. At first I was very apprehensive about databases. I thought that they would be too difficult for me as a first grade teacher. What need would I have for them? Now I use the ClarisWorks/AppleWorks database for everything in my classroom organization. The key for designing a database is to think about all the things that you did by hand before for your classroom.

Materials:

Macintosh Computer,ClarisWorks/AppleWorks-Database

 Procedures:

Make a list of all the categories, or fields as they are called in the database that you might possibly need throughout the school year. You can always add more if necessary. Begin to design a database that will work for you.

In August, gather all the necessary information that you will need: eg. name,address, telephone number, parents' names. I keep a list of various assessments scores that I do with my children on the database.

You can easily make charts showing the children's scores and progress. I also have parent forms that help to organize information that I share with them at conference time. All my class check-off sheets are designed using this database.

You can even make personalized handwriting forms for the children to use to practice writing their name. Labels are very common and easily done with the database. Mailboxes, folders, and bins all need nametags. Nametags for parents for Open House can easily be created.