I haven’t posted for a while here but this is well-deserved. It’s probably not a coincidence that I ended up in middle school this year and my absolute idol in education was a keynote at #nelms. Thank you @rickwormeli2 for helping me get inspired to disrupt the universe!
As you're thinking about classroom assessments next year, remember that we grade against criteria for standards, outcomes, learning goals, i.e., evidence of learning, NOT the vehicle used to deliver that evidence. So, unless we're teaching the assessment format itself, whether or not students do a project, test, paper, demonstration, etc is irrelevant: It's whether or not they presented evidence of their proficiency. This blows the hinges off the doors on the way to success as it opens new and meaningful ways to demonstrate mastery. There's a lot of agency here, which leads to students owning their learning. For some units of study, teachers can even ask students for proposals for how they will demonstrate the evidence of the standard. Then, as with most assessments, ask students to prove their evidence, to explain how the standard is manifested in their presentation. Gosh, this makes learning -- and teaching -- way more fun, and for students, more substantive.
Today the K/1 and 4/5 classes worked together to make corn muffins and cranberry sauce cups for our Harvest Feast. What an amazing experience for all! They even had time to color and read books together while the muffins baked. This is community! #WESNHPride
#WESNHpride had a successful Thanksgiving Feast today! Each class contributed something to the feast and the 4th/5th graders helped set up. Students said what they were thankful for, teachers served the students, and an amazing time was had by all!
The best multiplication charts are made for students by students. Instead of just facts...why not have a visual? Make facts meaningful.
#iteachmath#HRCEmath
In the afternoon, students played parachute games, helped a student with his goal to break the Guinness World Record of longest loom band bracelet, and participated in a drum circle! #WESNHpride 3/3
#WESNHpride had a community building day today. 4th/5th graders taught the rest of the school games that Native American kids would’ve played and explained how they helped build skills to benefit the tribe. 1/3
#WESNHpride collected over 400 pairs of socks during #socktober to donate to homeless veterans and their families. They also paraded in their Halloween costumes today and tried to fill the police cruiser with socks. Thanks WPD for helping us!
What a fun Friday! 4th/5th graders read books about socks to our younger students in preparation for #socktober! 3rd/4th graders played instruments to a creepy song during music. #WESNHpride
Washington Fire Department tested their response to a fire alarm today and students got to learn a little about working for Emergency Services. We love our community heroes! #WESNHpride