In order to accurately show the progress of students, documentation should clearly focus on one subject area or lesson theme. The work of students should be recorded from the start of the lesson or unit until the completion of the lesson.
Your documentation may take a different form depending on who you are communicating with. For example, if meant to communicate with parents, a bulletin board in the school works well as a form of documentation. If communicating with state agencies or administrators, a separate portfolio will work better. If sharing material in an online portfolio or display area, make sure not to violate the privacy of students by posting their names or personal information.
Take photographs that show students engaged in all stages of learning. Your photos should show the variety of learning methods used when studying a particular unit. For example, your photos might show students seated listening to a story, singing a song that accompanies the unit and creating a hands-on craft that reinforces the lesson.
Observations can include the educator's own thoughts on the lesson and how the students responded to it. Transcripts can include conversations with students about what they have learned while completing a lesson. Transcripts can also be written that record conversations between teachers or between teachers and parents.