I am blogging as a parent of a little girl (she would say big girl, but anyways, she’ll always be my baby) who is entering Grade 4 this year in British Columbia. Academically, she has done very well throughout her schooling thus far. But, I still worry. I am concerned about the letter grades sheContinue reading “Letter Grades …. A Parent’s Worry”
Category Archives: Assessment
How Did He Learn That?
Part of my teaching assignment is as a Learner Support Teacher to Grade 1 and Grade 2 students. Some of these students I have been working with since they were in Kindergarten. I witnessed some of them cry when they were left at school by their parents and grandparents. I watched some of them suckContinue reading “How Did He Learn That?”
Spirals of Inquiry
Last year, many administrators participated in a couple days of learning entitled Leadership 360, spearheaded by our Deputy Superintendent, Jordan Tinney. It was an inspiring day that helped to focus the participants on what is really important, and, in fact, imperative in moving our students forward and improving student achievement: Assessment For Learning. As partContinue reading “Spirals of Inquiry”
Embedded Formative Assessment
Recently, I completed reading, Embedded Formative Assessment by Dylan Wiliam. To say it is an important read would be an understatement. What I think I liked most about the book was that it is grounded in research and a true understanding of what is necessary to improve student achievement. I think teachers will love thatContinue reading “Embedded Formative Assessment”
Some Plans For This Year
I have a new role in my school this year. In addition to being the Vice-Principal, I will also be one of the Learning Support teachers (last year, I was the Early Literacy Teacher and the Intermediate Prep teacher for 4 classes in addition to my Vice-Principal role). I look forward to being part ofContinue reading “Some Plans For This Year”
Positively Positive – Attitude IS Everything!
Attitude is everything. Everywhere. In every situation. A person’s attitude not only contributes to one’s own feelings, but also the feelings of others. A person’s attitude is contagious. If you have a positive, optimistic, attitude, that is what you will receive in return, for the most part. If you possess a negative disposition, you will getContinue reading “Positively Positive – Attitude IS Everything!”
Self-Assessment – Oh the Horror!
Self-Assessment … it’s a (long) process. We all know the importance of Assessment AS learning …. This is when students (and adults, for that matter) reflect, and self-assess their learning that real long-term learning and growth can occur. When the students in my Health and Career Education classes completed their end of the term self-assessmentContinue reading “Self-Assessment – Oh the Horror!”
Letter Grades and Learning
My students started their self-assessment for Term 2 today (in the 2 French classes I teach). I also managed to start the individual conferences with my students. During these conferences, we discussed the Prescribed Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for the term and how their knowledge, in relation to these PLOs, translate into a letter grade. InContinue reading “Letter Grades and Learning”
My Grading Journey – Part 3
As I continue along my Grading Moratorium journey, and having my students take more ownership over their learning (and the grades they receive for the term), I am surprised often. I am surprised at the honesty, self-reflection, realism, and insight of my Grade 5 students. I was concerned that everyone would say they deserved toContinue reading “My Grading Journey – Part 3”
My Grading Moratorium Story
At what stage of the abolish grading game are you? I am at the beginning stages of abolishing grading. As a Vice-Principal in an inner-city elementary school Surrey, British Columbia, I spend 70% of my admin assignment teaching. 30% of this teaching assignment includes being an Intermediate Prep teacher. Each class comes to me forContinue reading “My Grading Moratorium Story”
It's All About Learning 