Describe what the child did, not what you think the child is. Avoid labels like “bully,” “crybaby,” or “genius.” Instead: “Mark pushed the chair aggressively” (not “Mark is aggressive”).
A complete form typically includes:
Date and Time of Incident
Place of Incident
Narrative of the Incident (factual, objective, specific) sample deped anecdotal record form download
Category (e.g., Academic, Behavioral, Attendance, Health, Others)
Action Taken by the teacher/adviser
Signature of Teacher/Adviser
Noted by – Guidance Counselor/Principal (if required) Describe what the child did , not what
Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment (optional but recommended)
An anecdotal record is a factual, objective, and specific description of a significant event or behavior exhibited by a student. Unlike a grade sheet that captures a student’s academic performance in numbers, an anecdotal record captures the "human" side of learning. It records the "how," "when," and "what" of a child's actions in the classroom.
In the context of DepEd and the Child Protection Policy (DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012) and the enhanced MELCS (Most Essential Learning Competencies), these records serve as critical evidence. They are not just "write-ups"; they are narratives that track a child's journey, struggles, and triumphs.
If you need a ready-to-print editable Word file, let me know and I can format the full official-looking template for you. Date and Time of Incident
Pro Tip: If you cannot find your division’s official form, use the sample above. However, always verify with your Master Teacher or School Head for any local modifications (e.g., inclusion of the MATATAG Curriculum behavioral indicators).
Once you have your sample DepEd anecdotal record form download, here is the workflow:
What happened immediately BEFORE the behavior?
[ ] No instruction given [ ] ] Peer provocation [ ] ] Unclear task/rules [ ] ] Fatigue/sleepiness [ ] ] Hunger [ ] ] Previous conflict [ ] ] Transition between activities
`[ ] ] Other: ___________________
Anecdotal records are not just for misbehavior. Document positive incidents too: