Chapter 3: Effective Feedback

BLOG post by December 2 - After completing with your team the 3 activities for this chapter.

What activities from Chapter 3 did you try in the classroom? How did they work? What successes did you notice? What modifications might you make?

Week Four -- Chapter Two

Please read Chapter Two in the Seven Strategies book and be prepared to discuss by Monday, October, 24th. More details to come ...


BLOG – CHAPTER TWO >>>>>

Let’s link our work from chapter one which focuses on formative assessment and chapter two which focuses on learning targets. Bring three learning targets and what you used to formatively assess your students to your team meeting on TUESDAY, NOV. 1st. As a TEAM, discuss the targets. Decide if the targets are clearly defined and student-friendly as they are. Help revise any targets that are not clearly defined and student friendly. Look at the formative assessments used to gauge the student learning of these targets. Evaluate the effectiveness of the assessment to the target ... Are the two congruent? Does the assessment allow for self assessment by the student on their level of achievement toward the target?

INDIVIDUALLY please address the following on the blog using the comments link by WEDNESDAY, NOV. 9th.

As we have learned sharing the learning target with our students is important to our instructional process and to student learning. "Reading the target" at the beginning of the lesson is relatively easy. The harder part is embedding and weaving the target throughout our instruction while also linking it to effective formative assessment. (Assessment which helps the student and the teacher "know" what they " know" and/or what they need to work on). Please share how you do this well and/or what you have learned from our discussions and how you plan to improve in this area.

Week Three -- Seven Strategies of Assessment for Learning Chapter One

Our work now begins on our Seven Strategies of Assessment for Learning book. After reading Chapter 1 "Formative Assessment and Assessment for Learning," please complete the activities below:
What Do You Already Do?

A. After reading through the section titled "What Gives Formative Assessment Its Power?" on pages 7-11, make an inventory of practices and activities you currently use that fall under the umbrella of assessment for learning. Then after reading the section titled "Seven Strategies of Assessment for Learning" on pages 11-13, match up your inventory of practices and activities with the seven strategies. A chart has been provided for you (via email) as an organizational tool.

B. With a partner discuss the following questions during your team meeting time on Thursday, Sept. 22nd. Then share your findings as a team. How are your answers similar/different?
*What is your definition of Formative Assessment?
*Using the information in the "What Do You Already Do" activity, discuss which strategies you use most often and least often.
*Compare individual responses. Use these to create a team inventory of practices being used. Identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps that you discover in your team practices. (My team is strong in ... My team will work on ....)
Bring these results to the PLC meeting on Sept. 28th.
C. Using the comments link, please post the following findings from your individual information. Postings should be completed by TUES., Sept. 27th.
*Which assessment uses are present in your classroom? Are your formative and summative assessment practices balanced -- how do you/can you ensure this?
*Explain how you use Formative Assessment results to improve student achievement.

Week Two -- Planning Like an Architect

Teams should use the model above as you meet in team meetings on Thursday, September 8th. Use the model to do the following tasks.

1. As a group discuss how planning an instructional lesson is similar to the role of an architect.



2. Using this weeks lesson plans, colored dots and chart paper (which will be provided to one team member), make an organizer similar to the one above which will show how your lesson planning includes each of the areas in the model above. The Math Teacher on your team will be a benefit to you in explaining this task if additional info is needed.



3. Discuss as a group what area of the design plan is strong for your team and is weak for your team. How do individual areas of strength and weakness compare to the team's results? Be prepared to discuss at PLC.



4. Reflect individually as to what area of the design plan is strong and weak. Post on the blog (using the comments link) what you have found to be your area of strength in planning and the area of planning that may need more attention. Include a plan as to how you will strengthen your weak area. Your responses need to be posted by September 12th.



5. Bring charts and reflections to PLC on September 14th.

Week One -- Welcome

Blogging is a way to share information and ideas with a large group of people without trying to find a convenient agreeable time for everyone to meet together. Our purpose for this blog is to grow together professionally. We will work together during team meetings and independently at whatever time you choose for yourself. Specific material that is related to improving student achievement will be used for our professional growth. Seven Strategies for Assessment of Learning will be the first book we use. If you have not already, please check out the book from the library and begin reading Chapter 1. Further instructions will be given after Labor Day.

Our first "assignment" is simple. By Friday, September 2nd, please post your name and your role at East Carter Middle School. To post to the blog, click on the comment link below.

Many of us (including myself) have never been a part of a blog so this will be a learning experience for a lot of us. Those of you who are already Distinguished bloggers, please lend your expertise. I am looking forward to learning and growing with all of you in this endeavor.