At the end of their practicum, my student teacher and I were inputting assessments of learning for our group of Humanities 8 students. For this short practicum, my student teacher’s focus was the curricular competency standard, continuity and change and the time period was the high middle ages. Before she started her practicum, we designed … Continue reading A Newfound Contentment with Assessing Content
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Stop making grade soup
I am very attached to the courses I teach. I have toiled, sweated, and shed numerous tears building what I hope to be engaging lessons, organized units, and mesmerizing learning opportunities for each of the courses I teach. I, like so many of my colleagues sometimes feel that the courses I teach are my courses, … Continue reading Stop making grade soup
The Love Language of Professional Judgment
When Mackenzie* walked into my class, she was pale, illuminating the dark circles under her eyes. Her mom had dropped her off on the way to the ER so she could find out what she was going to miss in English. She winced and pressed her lips together as she tried to speak. I immediately … Continue reading The Love Language of Professional Judgment
Edutopia article: 7 ways to build a learner centered classroom
Grades as Journey, Not Hyperbole
I am getting tired of grades being labelled as the bad guy in education. While they are not my favourite aspect of teaching, and in fact, way down the list, I cannot figure out why so many educators continue to vilify them. The above statements might come as a big surprise to many of you. … Continue reading Grades as Journey, Not Hyperbole
Connecting Engagement with Equity
Over the past year, a group of colleagues and I have invested some time exploring Joe Feldman’s Grading for Equity. In this phenomenal book, Feldman explores inequitable practices that have been historically ingrained in school culture and explains how shifting to more equitable practices beginning with sound and unbiassed assessment practices can lead to positive … Continue reading Connecting Engagement with Equity
But are you an island?
Last year, at the end of one of my presentations on proficiency sequences, during the question-and-answer period, a participant paid me a compliment. They told me how impressed they were by my attention to detail and how usable my proficiency sequences seemed to be. My cheeks flushed slightly, and I expressed my gratitude for sharing … Continue reading But are you an island?
I’d like a number 1 meal, light on the equality, extra equity
At McFast, a new fast-food joint with a fresh name, employees are training in all things fast food before being put on the line. Before opening their doors, each employee goes through training in various areas of the restaurant. In week one, employees are trained on French fries: how to drop them into the hot … Continue reading I’d like a number 1 meal, light on the equality, extra equity
Extending Our View of Extending
Lately, as I've engaged in conversations in person, webinars, works, and social media, I’ve noticed hesitancy about last level on proficiency scales. You know the one. It's called Extending, Exceeding, Advanced, Exemplary, Expert, or Mastery on a four- or five-point scale. The level that comes just before this last level is called Meeting, Applying, Proficient … Continue reading Extending Our View of Extending
A Proficiency Sequence in Action
In my post, "I want to change the world one proficiency sequence at a time,” I explained that with regards to proficiency sequences, “the real beauty is in how unpacking the standard and developing the process gives teachers the chance to teach each level.” A proficiency sequence, then is a useful tool for students, but … Continue reading A Proficiency Sequence in Action
my growth mindset 