My presentation to the faculty went pretty well. I was a little worried because some of the grading scenarios and a few of the new ideas can be seen as a little radical. All my hope was going in to it was that people would walk away having thought a little deeper about how they assess their students. Could they then make a few changes this year?
These grading changes have produced a profound effect for me. It has resulted in a different mentality and outlook for myself and my students. Not that my grading system has been turned upside down or is completely different. It is and it isn't. But, my breakthrough has been in the approach that I have had with students. No longer do I look at my kids and think, "Why isn't this kid reading his book?" or "Why didn't this student bring his book to class?" or "Why isn't this kid taking notes!?!"
Now I turn my attention to the only thing that really matters anyway - "What is this kid learning?" or more appropriately: "Has this student learned what we targeted today?"
This nuance goes a long, long way towards the approach I have with kids. I no longer raise my voice. It's not really needed. My sights are on our goals and our learning target. It's a singular focus. The kids weren't bringing their books to class... so last year I said, "Leave your book at home. You will be reading it at home during the night." Our book is huge. Bringing it to class is a pain - for real.... In their backpacks! It's World History - so it has a lot in it! This decision of keeping the book at home though and never bringing it to class comes with a responsibility -- homework. Now their book should be at home and ready to be read and worked on in the evening.
But, I also changed my homework policy as well over the past couple of years. I no longer ask for a little work every night, instead I have a long term assignment. It is usually a ten days to two week assignment. Same number of questions, just spread out over time. This gives everyone a chance to get them done. No excuses. Plus, I go over about 1/2 of them in class as 'practice.' This means the kids get guided help on just how to answer the questions and how to attack them. Again, no excuse, low pressure, but high reward --> did the student learn it?
My grading is essentially the district guideline and standard, but with an elevator or motivator. The district standard is the assignment is for full credit (100%) on the day that it is due. The second day it is graded for 1/2 credit (50%) and the their day it is a zero.
What I have added to it works like this - students can come in for tutoring and raise any grade to an 85, as long as they have shown strong evidence that they have learned the material. With a quiz grade the students can come in and retake a quiz. (I usually have 2 or 3 versions of tests or quizzes. Same questions, different answer choices to cut down on cheating. So when they come in for the requiz or retest I give them one of the alternates)
For any reassessment opportunity they must meet certain prereqs:
* Must be done in tutoring and on their free time - not during class.
* Must have completed all homework assignments to have the opportunity.
* Must have evidence of notetaking from the book or from class to retake a test or quiz.
* For homework, you must submit it to me during tutoring and I will ask a series of oral questions to check the learning. At the end of the session I ask, "What grade (up to an 85) do you think you earned? We negotiate a grade that matched their learning. Often it is NOT as high as an 85. That is rare.
* You get one chance per graded assignment. And you can not retake a test, quiz or homework after we have taken the next test. (then it is getting too late and we are beginning to learn and be responsible for new material)
So what have these grading changes (essentially grading FOR learning) done for me and my students? We don't look at each other like we are in some kind of "gotcha" game. Where Mr. D is going to jump up at the end of the unit and say, "Why didn't you learn this or that? Why didn't you read more?" The students know what is expected and what is to be learned. If they didn't learn it, there is an opportunity for relearning to occur. So students view me as someone who is working with them to help them learn and I am no longer the enemy in any way. (although I really wasn't before, there wasn't as much trust)
This has REALLY helped with my projects. I give a project each six week's period. There is always a product, presentation, and paper. With each part, students have begun to bring those into me for advice on whether or not they are on track. So I read over their presentation or paper and give them feedback. This has resulted in much better quality work. And it has resulted in students who feel more confident about what they are doing and learning.
Some teachers tell me that it is too much work to do all of that grading, but essentially it is less! I don't have to read their papers as thoroughly on the final day when I do put a grade on it. If I've already read it a few times, it is easier to grade and far more interesting for me to read. And I don't have as many papers where I am ready to tear apart the paper and think, "WHY DID THEY DO THIS?" Or... "Where is the THESIS statement!?!?!!!" We've already checked over that.
This is a lot more to what I have changed, but they are more subtle adjustments in how I work with my students. A quick example is using peers in class to do some feedback and grading. When a quick assignment in class (like an "exit ticket" - designed to get some reflection at the end of the period. they must have it to leave the class) results in my knowledge of how closer the students are to learning what was intended, I can make adjustments for the next class. They really don't understand the Three Estates of France? I retouch it the next class and be sure it sinks in. They totally get Hitler's Two Big Mistakes? Then I move on.
Any ideas?
I would be certain that most teachers would not understand what I am doing or think, "What is the deal, I could NEVER get away with that?" But, I am lucky to be at a school that is quite progressive and is pushing this initiative. Or else I probably wouldn't feel as confident in trying new things out.
Again if you are interested in the full presentation, you can view it here:
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Leapster!
Aidan got a Leapster. It is actually a Leapster 2. He really likes it. It has been a perfect little jump start to his letters, numbers, and reading. So far we only have the Backyardigans and Cars games, but I'd really like to get him Kindergarten and the Letter Factory.
He likes it.
Makes you want to say, "hmmmm???"
Why did John McCain flip-flopped on drilling oil? Maybe there are $1.1 Million reasons why?
Presentation on Grading for Learning
On Tuesday a colleague and I will be presenting to our faculty a presentation called, "Grading for Learning." If you are a teacher or just want to give me some feedback, I'd love for you to take a look at it. Here is the link:
Grading For Learning Presentation
There are three video clips within the presentation that will not play by clicking on the slideshare powerpoint on that link. So I thought I would give the links to them here:
1) The first video is Father Guido Sarducci's 5 Minute University.
2) The second video clip is a silly one, but it makes some sense to the presentation, it is Allen Iverson talkin' 'bout practice.
3) The third is a "motivational" clip from an old super bowl ad Terry Tate Reebok Office Linebacker.
The presentation is about Assessment and Grading. There are some key concepts I wanted to focus on that I thought our school could be thinking about for this school year. So my colleague and I worked on the presentation. There are 3 case studies sprinkled throughout the presentation that give some grading scenarios. All of these are based on the Assessment for Learning conference that I attended in Hawaii. These are not my ideas, but crafted in a way that I could present them and teach them to teachers.
The idea of Grading for Learning is based on the work done by Ken O'Connor. I wish Ken could actually be there to present this. I learned so much from the three sessions I spent with him. But, this is my little way of passing on what he taught me to our teachers. It is my hope that our teachers can begin to think about assessment and plan for the upcoming school year and make some of these ideas reality for their classes.
If you get a chance, check out the presentation and let me know what you think. The link again:
Grading For Learning Presentation
Grading For Learning Presentation
There are three video clips within the presentation that will not play by clicking on the slideshare powerpoint on that link. So I thought I would give the links to them here:
1) The first video is Father Guido Sarducci's 5 Minute University.
2) The second video clip is a silly one, but it makes some sense to the presentation, it is Allen Iverson talkin' 'bout practice.
3) The third is a "motivational" clip from an old super bowl ad Terry Tate Reebok Office Linebacker.
The presentation is about Assessment and Grading. There are some key concepts I wanted to focus on that I thought our school could be thinking about for this school year. So my colleague and I worked on the presentation. There are 3 case studies sprinkled throughout the presentation that give some grading scenarios. All of these are based on the Assessment for Learning conference that I attended in Hawaii. These are not my ideas, but crafted in a way that I could present them and teach them to teachers.
The idea of Grading for Learning is based on the work done by Ken O'Connor. I wish Ken could actually be there to present this. I learned so much from the three sessions I spent with him. But, this is my little way of passing on what he taught me to our teachers. It is my hope that our teachers can begin to think about assessment and plan for the upcoming school year and make some of these ideas reality for their classes.
If you get a chance, check out the presentation and let me know what you think. The link again:
Grading For Learning Presentation
Texans Football... Ahhhhhh. Finally.
It's football time America! And there are a few other stories out there besides Brett Favre. The Chronicle today asks, "Is Mario Williams the best defensive end in football?". Can you remember back to the draft? How disappointed was everyone that the Texans decided on Williams over Bush and Young?
The Texans were 8-8 last year. And they led football in the number of persons on their roster that were on the disabled list. Their injuries were crazy! But, this is turning into a pretty deep roster because each year the injury problems have forced a lot of people to play. Now that depth is paying off.
If the Texans were in any other division in football, besides the toughest - The AFC South (with Indy, Jacksonville, and Tennessee) - they would be picked for the playoffs this year. But, most nationwide do not give them the chance to overtake the big three in the division.
We'll see. The Texans could still be a year away. Their schedule is tough! It is going to be a lot of fun to watch and see it unfold though. I love their front office and GM. The moves they have made in the draft have been super. Demeco Ryans, Amobi Okoye, Williams and Fred Bennett have created a talented and youthful base to the defense that is going to start paying off big time.
Fantasy Football is getting ready to draft and for the first time I am considering putting the Texans D on my roster! I play fantasy football pretty seriously, so this is a big statement!
The Texans were 8-8 last year. And they led football in the number of persons on their roster that were on the disabled list. Their injuries were crazy! But, this is turning into a pretty deep roster because each year the injury problems have forced a lot of people to play. Now that depth is paying off.
If the Texans were in any other division in football, besides the toughest - The AFC South (with Indy, Jacksonville, and Tennessee) - they would be picked for the playoffs this year. But, most nationwide do not give them the chance to overtake the big three in the division.
We'll see. The Texans could still be a year away. Their schedule is tough! It is going to be a lot of fun to watch and see it unfold though. I love their front office and GM. The moves they have made in the draft have been super. Demeco Ryans, Amobi Okoye, Williams and Fred Bennett have created a talented and youthful base to the defense that is going to start paying off big time.
Fantasy Football is getting ready to draft and for the first time I am considering putting the Texans D on my roster! I play fantasy football pretty seriously, so this is a big statement!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
DD
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Friday, July 25, 2008
testing sending a pic from my phone.
DD
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Randy Pausch Passes at 47
'Last lecture' professor dies of cancer
Randy Pausch, famed for his life-affirming message, passes at 47
I knew this day was coming. I just didn't expect it so soon. Very sad. I am so glad that I read the book when I did and did not wait until hearing about Randy before after his passing. His book, "The Last Lecture," really touched me. He has a powerful message for everyone about living life to the fullest.
Please do yourself a favor and read the book, or watch Randy's Last Lecture video online: The Last Lecture
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