Work Smart!

School's begun and hence the data crunch.  No amount of data will improve student learning.  Yes, it can help teachers adjust instruction, it lets students measure their successes and allows parents to have numbers or grades or stickers to judge their children's progress.  But more is not always better.

An objective is the destination of a lesson and formative assessment helps teachers judge how far along the route they are.  Typical types include quizzes, exit tickets, questions and observation.  The use of rubrics enables tracking students' progress.  Once teachers feel the students are developing an understanding, then summative assessments such as tests, portfolios, reflections etc. can be employed.

Determining how much data you need to fulfill school/district requirements is one indicator needed to setting up grade books. But face it - what do you really need to make an impact on student learning? Whatever that is - design your rubrics, binders, tallies around that.  Time needs to be spent where it will produce the best results.  Consulting with grade level partners and coordinating your data collections can help.  No need to replicate unnecessary information. Your time is precious - use it wisely!

It's overwhelming! So many students, so many lessons and so much paperwork!  Use this to quickly assess each lesson you plan.  Be specific, how will you know if it worked and how will you get there? Be SMART!

¨S – specific-define exactly what

you want to accomplish in detail

¨M – measurable – how will you tell you achieved your goal?  (%, # etc.)

¨A – accountability – full commitment, be clear

¨R – realistic & relevant – ambitious & achievable  (raise the bar)

¨T – time line – steps to reach goal  

Read Alouds!

Every day, children in school should hear an adult or a fluent student read aloud.  It increases vocabulary by introducing new words orally in context, that read by themselves, they might skip over.  The reader can stop and explain the word, ask for meaning, and/or give examples of when/where it could be used.

By using your voice, the speaker can add emphasis, enthusiasm, and depth to the words.  Oh and how much fun it is when the reader uses different voices for different characters!  Even if only one or two voices!

But face it, the best part of listening, is relaxing.  The receiver can sit back, stare out the window, go in and out of the story and enjoy it.

 I always had a book on the edge of my desk.  We would read it if there were 5 minutes before lunch or 10 minutes before dismissal.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone enticed my students to read it again at home.  Sideways Math stumped us many times and we laughed when we realized what clue we had missed!  Ten years after I had taught 6th grade, I ran into a student at the food store.  First thing out of his mouth was 'Remember that book we read!'  Took me a bit to recall the title as I read 6 or more each year aloud.  'That was the best book I ever read!'  Actually I, the teacher read it to the class.  But to this young man it left a lasting impression.