Weekly Coaching Communication
09-13 November 2015
On the Standards Front . . .
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Summary writing fits within this standards, not to mention the fact that summaries are also a good indicator of comprehension and accountability. Your colleague, Tina Herring, has given me permission to generously share a document she uses to guide students through summary writing and also serves as a nice refresher of Write Tools training from last year for teachers.
To access the document, click on the link Writing an Objective Summary. Thank you, Tina, for your generosity in sharing your work and helping make all students successful.
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Cedar Rapids is hosting an EdCamp in the NewBo district at Iowa BIG. Registration is open and 150 tickets are available -- so register soon! Lunch is provided at this one!
Quote of the Week
The tweets I am quoting are from the storify that was created from the 04 November 2015 chat. I'm not going to share the whole storify with you -- you can access that by clicking on the word "storify." I just want to share the first question and some of the responses because I think they offer a rudimentary approach and understanding of grading's place in a standards based school. All comments are attributed to the individual, and their names and Twitter handles are linked to their Twitter profile. Feel free to click on the link and read about these individuals who contribute to this chat.
Garnet Hillman @garnet_hillman
Q1 In a standards based environment, how does the lens change with which we look at grading? #sblchat
A1 - the grading isn't important it is the skill that is behind the so called grade #sblchat
A1: we want to see growth from students and give them a chance to succeed #sblchat
Kirk Humphreys @kirk_humphreys
A1: The lens goes from tinted to clear! There is nothing that clouds the real understanding of standards. #sblchat
A1 In SBL the lens for grading has cross-hairs focused on learning standards...not numbers or letters for sake of grading #sblchat
A1 Grading becomes evidence-based. Proficiency levels are reported in relation to a standard. Behaviors are reported separately. #sblchat
A1 - In our Standards-Based Learning environment, we grade only once the Learning HAS happened. Start grading once Proficient! #sblchat
Garnet Hillman @garnet_hillman
A1 In a standards based environment, the focus switches from grades to learning. #sblchat
Matt Drewette-Card @DrewetteCard
A1) The lens changes from stopping learning with a grade to a formative learning continuum. #sblchat
Andrea Kornowski @andreakornowski
A1: Focus is on the learning, not the task. #sblchat
A1: not points to earn, but things to learn. (I didn't mean to rhyme, I swear...) #sblchat
Rik Rowe @RoweRikW A1 - Our #hsMath SBL environment sees no value in grading prior to the Learning taking place. Let's track SUCCESS, not failure. #sblchat
Garnet Hillman @garnet_hillman
A1 The lens on the purpose of grading changes in a standards based environment - the purpose is communication. #sblchat
A1 Grades shift to the back burner and focus is on Ss learning and showing growth #sblchat
A1 Grades become more accurate but less important because emphasis is on feedback and learning. #sblchat
A1: SBL lens is learning...not grading. It's not about time, it's about growth. Endless possibilities and achievement. #sblchat
A1: the conversation switches from calculating a pot of points to evaluating goals and growth #sblchat
A1 #SBLchat Focus for Ss is "how do I master skill" vs. "how do I get an A" - takes time to get there, though
Brett Dimmer's tweet (the last one) about the time it takes for the focus to shift to students mastering skills and not jumping through the hoops for the A is poignant. SBL does take time and the transition definitely relies in the power of YET: "We have not made the full transition to Standards Based Learning, yet."
The other questions posed by the moderators of the chat:
Q2 Give some examples of the language that would change when grades are moved to the background. #sblchat
Q3 What are examples of practices that clearly communicate the importance of learning in classrooms and schools? #sblchat
Q4 What are some responses to parents who are used to a traditional system with grades at the forefront?
Q5 When grades are moved to the background, how does student behavior change? #sblchat
Q6 “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” How does this apply to SBL?
Q7 How can administration best facilitate the shift in focus from grades to learning? #sblch
If you are interested in the answers, please read the storify.
If you haven't harnessed the power of Twitter, yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. I can help you set-up an account and show you the basics of how it works.
Join #sblchat next week on Wednesday, 11 November at 8 PM Central time -- some great insights and fuel for learning can be gleaned even if you just lurk (read the comments and don't participate). If you do not have time and would like to read the storify (linked above), please let me know, and I can help you find the link.
COACHING SCHEDULE -- SEE GOOGLE CALENDAR FOR SPECIFIC "BUSY" TIMES **SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
Monday, 09 November
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Classroom Observations
- Research & Resources
Tuesday, 10 November -- IOWA ASSESSMENTS/CPR -- NO 4th BLOCK
Standards Based Learning/Grading Council -- 7:30 AM, HS OCR
Serve Teachers & Students
Classroom Observations
Research & Resources
Wednesday, 11 November -- STATE VOLLEYBALL -- GO STORMIN' POINTERS! #spp
Serve Teachers & Students
Classroom Observations
Research & Resources
Thursday, 12 November -- IOWA ASSESSMENTS/CPR -- NO 2nd BLOCK
Staff Meeting 7:45, Art Room, HS Staff
Days 31-60 Survey Emailed to Staff -- complete by 18 November (DATA TEAM MTG)
Serve Teachers & Students
Classroom Observations
Research & Resources
Webinar: Selective Scripting Tool -- 2:30
Friday, 13 November
IC/Prinicpal Meeting -- 7:30 AM, HS OCR - Libolt & Popenhagen
Serve Teachers & Students
Classroom Observations
IC Team Meeting 11:30 AM -- Intermediate Building
About Me . . .
Email: epopenhagen@cpuschools.org
Location: 145 Iowa Street, Center Point, IA, United States
Phone: (319)849-1102 (9)1015
Twitter: @Epopenhagen