Rik in MA, a Facilitator of Learning in Mathematics at my alma mater. I have the joy of co-moderating tonight's #sblchat with @garnet_hillman and @KatieBudrow. This Crew continues to inspire Learning and Retention at our high school.
Hello #sblchat! Katie, science teacher, tweeting from the Chicagoland area tonight. Always thrilled to be co-moderating with @RoweRikW and @garnet_hillman. And always happy to be here with you all!
I'm Garnet, an author and educational consultant from the Chicagoland area. Happy to join my co-moderators @RoweRikW and @KatieBudrow for a great hour of learning! #sblchat
Ken O’Connor, author/consultant home in Toronto nursing a sore back. Sad that it is the last #sblchat of the year. Also watching the Jets (now Canada’s team) playing in Game 3 in Las Vegas.
A1 The biggest change this year was taking a harder look at our standards. Always learn something new when I revisit them. Also focused more on the priority standards, and it really showed in student learning! #sblchat
A1: I began using logic rules this year to determine student grades. They made grading even more transparent than in the past. Also made it clear to students than ALL targets/standards matter. #sblchat
A1 Put more emphasis on the why and the need for standards-based mindset and curriculum and instruction before standards-based grading and reporting. #sblchat
A1: Ts put so much pressure on themselves to get it "right." Lately, we've been trying to change the goal from getting it right to getting it better. Much healthier, but also much more in line with true learning. #sblchat
A1 The biggest change this year was taking a harder look at our standards. Always learn something new when I revisit them. Also focused more on the priority standards, and it really showed in student learning! #sblchat
That was one of our big moves a few years ago. Standards matter, but which are critical? That's an important question for a faculty to answer. #sblchat
A1 The biggest change this year was taking a harder look at our standards. Always learn something new when I revisit them. Also focused more on the priority standards, and it really showed in student learning! #sblchat
A1: I began using logic rules this year to determine student grades. They made grading even more transparent than in the past. Also made it clear to students than ALL targets/standards matter. #sblchat
A1 Focused this year on just the presentational assessment in WL and what that should look like. Really tried to hit the objective home with students. #sblchat
"Today's a great day to be wrong!" That works for teachers as well as students. We must risk being wrong to have the chance to grow and improve. #sblchat
A1: Ts put so much pressure on themselves to get it "right." Lately, we've been trying to change the goal from getting it right to getting it better. Much healthier, but also much more in line with true learning. #sblchat
"Today's a great day to be wrong!" That works for teachers as well as students. We must risk being wrong to have the chance to grow and improve. #sblchat
A1: Ts put so much pressure on themselves to get it "right." Lately, we've been trying to change the goal from getting it right to getting it better. Much healthier, but also much more in line with true learning. #sblchat
You have such a great report with your students. So refreshing to know there are others who experience (and enjoy) these moments of uncertainty. #sblchat
So much can be accomplished by developing the right mindset first. The rest will fall into place (more) organically reducing this fear of “doing it wrong.” #sblchat
You have such a great report with your students. So refreshing to know there are others who experience (and enjoy) these moments of uncertainty. #sblchat
Too often making change in our practices can imply "we were doing it wrong." Maybe it isn't about as much about being wrong but being in constant continual improvement mode. That tweak in thinking can make all the difference in taking on a change and staying the same. #sblchat
A2 Hopefully teachers and schools are able to separate academic achievement, behaviors, and growth separately. They are all important, but aren’t clear until they are reported as their own entities! #sblchat
A2 - We are reporting only proficiency achieved in marking period grades. Considerable growth and persistence was seen through requested Extra Practice, feedback, and reassessments. Learning and growth ignited this year! #sblchat
A2 This is the first year we have gone without letter grades on the report cards. Instead we are reporting out on four levels for academics, as well as behaviors called habits of success. #sblchat
A2 This is the first year we have gone without letter grades on the report cards. Instead we are reporting out on four levels for academics, as well as behaviors called habits of success. #sblchat
I have 13 standards, but will report on 4 areas. Reading, Writing, Discussion, Language. Will use 4-1 scores for each area to determine semester grade. Logic rule. #sblchat
A2: S achievement is reported based on 4 levels. Their grade is determined by logic rules. Their growth is shown through the recording of their improvement on targets over time. #sblchat
A2 Separating achievement and behaviour is essential but I’ve seen how difficult it is with my grade 5 granddaughter. She is reading at grade level, has great comprehension and behaviour/boredom issues = reading grade - B+. #sblchat
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A2 Separating achievement and behaviour is essential but I’ve seen how difficult it is with my grade 5 granddaughter. She is reading at grade 8 level, has great comprehension and behaviour/boredom issues = reading grade - B+. #sblchat
#sblchat A2: We have to give grades. I use SBG so very little of the grade is "anchored" by what Ss knew in September. But ALL of my comments are about growth and character. In fact, I've already typed most of them. Heresy to the grade-slave Ts.
#sblchat A2: late to the conversation: Karen from #svvsdlearns , S's are pulling together their work from the year, showcasing their successes and struggles and reflecting on their growth.
My Ss’ biweekly email reflections Home are really shaping up by this time. Some students are getting very insightful, providing awesome info for me and parents on how they’ve been internalizing some strategies! #sblchat
My Ss’ biweekly email reflections Home are really shaping up by this time. Some students are getting very insightful, providing awesome info for me and parents on how they’ve been internalizing some strategies! #sblchat
A3 - Our grades evolved through the school year as our Learners acquired more understanding and made more connections. So much was learned and realized through assessing that many Learners had "aha-moments" are requested deeper learning! #sblchat#RetrievalPractice
I think it is the teacher not being able to “get past” the behaviour issues when determining grades even though they report on 6 learning skills in Ontario. #sblchat
The rub is they’re not always mutually exclusive, thus we need to identify those habits needed to be successful in that subject, and then ensure we instruct on how to better them, while communicating both behaviors and comprehension. #ThatsALongSentence#sblchat
A3: I use multiple measures of student attainment of targets/standards. I also allow students extended time and practice to demo learning. They can then earn future retesting opps. Nothing is ever final, until the last day. #sblchat
#sblchat A3: MOST of the grade earned in my class is the proportion of skills (110 assessed) they've demonstrated mastery on. We assess, reassess (yes, you can LOSE credit!), and offer personalized opportunities to demonstrate growth. Ss can come in ANY time and ask!
A3: I use multiple measures of student attainment of targets/standards. I also allow students extended time and practice to demo learning. They can then earn future retesting opps. Nothing is ever final, until the last day. #sblchat
A3 Really careful rubric creation that aligns the learning target with with levels of possible proficiency and then making sure the members of your PLC are on the same page . . . huge job. #sblchat
A3: I outline 4-5 objectives per unit (we have 4 units in our semester-long ELA course) and my assessments/grades are a reflection of those clear objectives. This keeps activities and experiences as formative learning opportunities rather than useless grades #sblchat
We spoke with our Learners today about a student in a prior year who was asked to take his Final Exam again since he and I knew he was more more proficient! He never worked SO hard! #sblchat
A3: I use multiple measures of student attainment of targets/standards. I also allow students extended time and practice to demo learning. They can then earn future retesting opps. Nothing is ever final, until the last day. #sblchat
I’m starting to feel like a one-trick pony mentioning this (see my blog at https://t.co/xrSdsDbBCm for details), but it has been a great way to learn about my Ss and keep in touch with Ps. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from Ps #sblchat
A3- I report on students' levels of achievement at the end of the semester based on trends and professional judgement, not averages. I do not include any academic behaviors or non-academic factors. #sblchat
I’m starting to feel like a one-trick pony mentioning this (see my blog at https://t.co/xrSdsDbBCm for details), but it has been a great way to learn about my Ss and keep in touch with Ps. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from Ps #sblchat
110 skills assessed!? In a single year? Last year in my 10th grade humanities class we had...maybe 10 all year...What do you count as a skill? #sblchat
A3 We're beginning these talks district wide. My first instinct is to always work with the adult mindsets to gauge their thoughts and instructional behaviors relative to what's expected. Thoughts? #sblchat
The teaching of appropriate and successful behavior is the challenge for many Ts, I feel—they expect Ss to already know. I just worked with a sophomore on coping skills and how to communicate her frustrations before exploding. These convos are necessary #sblchat
A1: We didn’t do too much with grading this year. We focused on strong PLCs and are working with individual tchrs on #sbl next year. I started having ind conversations about grades and mastery learning. Slow and steady wins the race. #sblchat
#sblchat Excel spreadsheet. I'm sure I benefit from teaching at a private school with small class sizes. BUT, I also believe that if necessity demanded...I'd find a way. "Identify" with intentional lesson planning. In terms of content, I know my "why."
A3 #sblchat: bit of a slippery slope for me. Can grades really show what S's know? Need a battery of formative Assmt to come close to that.I care more that S's know what they know and know what they need.
Students totally have this mindset as they move through the grammar portion of our instruction . . . constantly reminding them it is about using the grammar to communicate not pass the test. #sblchat
#sblchat This is for an Algebra/Stats/Geometry hybrid class. Math is probably easier to break down into problem/concept specific "skills" than other disciplines.
A1: We didn’t do too much with grading this year. We focused on strong PLCs and are working with individual tchrs on #sbl next year. I started having ind conversations about grades and mastery learning. Slow and steady wins the race. #sblchat
A1 Put more emphasis on the why and the need for standards-based mindset and curriculum and instruction before standards-based grading and reporting. #sblchat
A2: We encourage behavior to not be reported with our academic grades. Period. We don’t have a good reporting system for growth or for communicating overall progress on soft skills. There is much work to do! #sblchat
A4 - Our #MHSAlgebra1 PLC spoke more this year about what Standards we were assessing, how, and what we learned from assessing our Learners. "Reviewing the learning" is far more valuable than merely "grading papers". #sblchat
A4 I have been fortunate to work with teachers in every grade level and content area to support implementation of healthy grading practices this year, as well as publish two books. @MandyStalets and I have also started on a new book! #sblchat
A4 One of the coolest things this year is increased student awareness of what proficiency looks like. It’s fun to listen to them speak in this language, especially as they are transferring skills across disciplines. #sblchat
And when things get tricky always go back to it. With a strong why people hunt for ways to make things work. Without it, roadblocks are much easier to find. #sblchat
Adam, could you give some examples of your skills? 110 seems like an unimaginable number. I assess only a handful, because they repeat throughout the year. #sblchat
A4- Did a student panel about how changing grading can change how Ss learn. Used it at County-Wide institute on De-stressing students. #sblchathttps://t.co/zoNVUKSAix …
A4: The Language Arts teacher on my team, an experienced T but not with SBL, has worked on moving her practice to be more SBL aligned. She's still working on it, but rewarding to see others put these ideas into their practice. #sblchat
And when things get tricky always go back to it. With a strong why people hunt for ways to make things work. Without it, roadblocks are much easier to find. #sblchat
With that many skills (110 skills in 180ish school days) how do you ensure the full SBL cycle--instruction, practice, assessment, differentiation, etc...for each skill? I find that hard enough with 10! #sblchat
Just saying we've had 8 Learners already this week ask for yet another opportunity to demonstrate that they are better than they recently showed. Of course I said, "Yes"! #sblchat
#sblchat Calculate a mean, construct an angle bisector, find x-intercepts of a quadratic, create a histogram, solve a permutations word problem, identify equations of parallel lines, find a point of intersection, find distance between two points (Cartesian), .....for example.
A4: I shared more with others—presented & worked with various schools on grading practices, brought 6-12 Ts in my district together via Google Communty to share and discuss strategies for healthy grading, etc. #goodyear#sblchat
A4: After using #sbl for 3 yrs, I received feedback from tchrs at the next level that they knew who my kids were because they were READY. My tchrs that are using it now see a shift from getting assignments “done” to “I need to work on that learning target more.” #sblchat
A4: We are now starting to be able to focus on the possibilities that SBL/G allows--greater personalization, more flexible pathways for students, and learning experiences that look nothing like my own education. Very excited for the future of education! #sblchat
A4: I’m not scoring fully as SBG (yet!), but I’m using an A-F rubric (no +/-) so I have fewer categories. Ss can retake/revise any assessment. Plenty of feedback during workshop w/ direct instruction. Ss reflection emails are working. A ways to go, but lots of progress! #sblchat
Ahh. Now I understand. Personally, I wouldn't call those skills. The sound more like smaller learning targets to me. In my science class, skills are things like developing a model and communicating information. #sblchat
Each lesson may incorporate 1-4 skills. For example, given a quadratic ax^2+bx+c skills: 1) find y-int 2) convert to vertex form, 3) identify vertex 4) find x-intercepts (1 or 2), 5) find x-intercepts (none). Of course, I'd make that 2-3 lessons. #sblchat
Learning as an observer w/#sblchat & sharing the wealth of knowledge coming from the participants. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite chats b/c it's about effective teaching, healthy grading, and student learning! #Edtech tools are only as good as the person using them
Each lesson may incorporate 1-4 skills. For example, given a quadratic ax^2+bx+c skills: 1) find y-int 2) convert to vertex form, 3) identify vertex 4) find x-intercepts (1 or 2), 5) find x-intercepts (none). Of course, I'd make that 2-3 lessons. #sblchat
#sblchat A4: Once I started selling Ss on the research and "why," they LOVE it. They respect that learning is a journey and that LEARNING is rewarded and is a PROCESS that can have as many mistakes as needed along the way. This yrs Ss come back next year to sell it to new Ss!
When “grading” is replaced with “learning,” so many more things make sense! My lessons have become more focused and all assessments and activities are more directed to our objectives #sblchat
A5 - One goal for the 18-19 school year is to put more visuals of our learning journey in the hands of our Learners to better track individual process. #sblchat#MakeLearningVisual
A3 A couple of weeks ago, I saw one of my former Ts who was "resistant" to #sbl. She beamed as she bragged about how we were ahead of the curve re: prof lrng & best practices & how it makes sense for the Ts and Ss #sblchat
A5 - One goal for the 18-19 school year is to put more visuals of our learning journey in the hands of our Learners to better track individual progress. #sblchat#MakeLearningVisual
A5 Next year, I would like to focus on continue to expand the ways students can demonstrate mastery. Have some great stuff now. Look forward to even greater stuff next year! #sblchat
A5 I will be in a classroom next year to return to giving students feedback using SBG. Beyond excited for the adventure. #wishingIcoulddobothjobs#sblchat
A5 - One of my goals for next year is to incorporate some SBG practices into AP US Govt. If successful, I want to show that such instructional and assessment practices can support, rather than detract from, the mission to prepare students for success on the AP exams. #sblchat
A5.2: I have peaked a few tchrs interest through ind convos, & others found it on their own. Some saw other tchrs in our district present in Ed Camp. I’ve made it clear to my staff that I will never encourage anything that won’t make them more efficient and effective. #sblchat
#sblchat A4 So many awesome responses to this one! I only add that I find myself stepping further and further away from directing what S's need. I ask them, and we have a culture of trust.
A5: I want to provide time and support for PLCs to dissect the difference between learning and performance (in their subject area) and how they can utilize feedback over grades. #BuildABiggerCriticalMass#MindsetFirst#sblchat
A5: I want to have my students write letters/reports home on their learning. "I get this..., because...." "I struggled with..., I know this because...." We analyze learning now, but they don't share it with anyone other than me. #sblchat
A5: I'm really excited to continue to explore how SBL can transform schools, not just classrooms. As our Ss are becoming more used to SBL, they are starting to demand much greater change from the adults. #sblchat
A5 I’m looking forward to continue to work with teachers and schools on more effective grading practices. Thrilled to be going to three new countries for me - India, Vietnam and Cayman Islands. Still need WV, AK and OK to complete all 50 states. #sblchat
A5: in our gradebook, we must categorize assignments. Now that I have assessments aligned to student-friendly objectives, I think my categories must better reflect the standards to show consistency and continuity for Ss/Ps #sblchat
A5.3: We plan to offer #sbl sessions during our Ed Camp, and will work with a cohort of tchrs throughout the yr ready to tackle this, with the aim of eventually moving to whole school implementation in 3 yrs at best. This takes time. #sblchat
Even jf I'm unsuccessful, as measured by my students' AP scores, I'll nevertheless feel confident that the semesters' worth of learning was deep, meaningful, & engaging. #sblchat
I'm checking out early #sblchat. It's been a pleasure to collaborate with and learn from you all. I look forward to the next chat cycle. Have a great summer!☺
I'm checking out early #sblchat. It's been a pleasure to collaborate with and learn from you all. I look forward to the next chat cycle. Have a great summer!☺
Q2 behavior assessed as a separate standard - personal agency; achievement &growth - declining avg of last 5 assessments for each standard - also experimenting with electronic portfolio reflection #sblchat
This sounds like it will be time well spent! My district moved too quickly on assessment guidelines/policy, and too many Ts fought against or misapplied it. Conversations are necessary for Ts to process, push back, reconsider & develop (like our Ss!) #sblchat
A6 - After reviewing our philosophy on learning, we determined that Standards-Based Learning provides a heightened desire to learn, more motivation to re-assess for growth, and provides a more meaningful assessment of learning. #sblchat#Yearn2Learn
A6 Go slow - this is a process! Establish a clear purpose for grading and reasons for the change. This provides a common ground for everyone (educators, students, and parents) and is something they can refer to throughout implementation. #sblchat
A6- Start small. Make one or two changes and see what happens to your classroom. Stop grading homework. Don't average. Look at most recent evidence. Allow remediation or student choice. Do something different and see how Ss respond. They will love it. #sblchat
A5Final: Know your Essential Standards. Make sure your gradebook reflects Ss master of them. Provide intervention so that each & every Ss is proficient for each & every standard, and let their grade reflect where they are when they leave your class. 👊 #sblchat
Just a reminder to communicate with our Learners about the grade that most accurately represents their learning. Please don't merely calculate their grade. We thank you in advance. #sblchat
A6: #sblchat: Ah! I always fall behind in these conversations. So many amazing thoughts.Healthy grading is about honoring S's where they are right now. Can't take the human out of this.
A6 Focus on the why for each change you make. Communicate that why to all stakeholders. Go slow to go fast. Transitioning is a lot of work but so worth it! #sblchat
A6- Start small. Make one or two changes and see what happens to your classroom. Stop grading homework. Don't average. Look at most recent evidence. Allow remediation or student choice. Do something different and see how Ss respond. They will love it. #sblchat
A6: 1. It's very hard to change your teaching practice. 2. SBL makes learning/assessment transparent to all involved. 3. It is the best thing you can do to improve student learning. 4. Start now, go slow, don't stop (@JanChappuis). #sblchat
A6 Start with the why and the get your performance standards crystal clear for all T’s, S’s and P’s. These are the two things that are most problematic and lead to opposition to sblg&r. #sblchat
A6 Go slow - this is a process! Establish a clear purpose for grading and reasons for the change. This provides a common ground for everyone (educators, students, and parents) and is something they can refer to throughout implementation. #sblchat
A6- Start small. Make one or two changes and see what happens to your classroom. Stop grading homework. Don't average. Look at most recent evidence. Allow remediation or student choice. Do something different and see how Ss respond. They will love it. #sblchat
A5 - We are exploring ways to make our current online grade book more SBL-friendly and how we can effectively inform other staff, students, and parents about SBL. #sblchat
Nuts! Distracted from #sblchat as family went out with my graduating daughter (oldest of 3) to create some pros and cons for the four engineering programs she’s been accepted into.
I can't thank the #sblchat community enough for such a wonderful year of learning and sharing. Can't wait to see what the 2018-19 school year brings! We will see you in August!
Excellent! This process involves the gradebook, but it is all about mindset. That has to be right, first. If we push towards mastery learning and make sure grades reflect that, #sbg becomes much less complex. #sblchat
When “grading” is replaced with “learning,” so many more things make sense! My lessons have become more focused and all assessments and activities are more directed to our objectives #sblchat
A6 be brave! Go into standards with formative descriptive feedback at your comfort level - for some “a” subject for others “a term” for thinking: jump on in! - my “first dip” was in math even though I’m a literacy/library geek - haven’t looked at ✔️s Xs %s etc since! #sblchat
A6: For those looking to implement healthy grading practices, join #sblchat, & do some professional reading. Get a feel for the best way you can begin shifting in your school/grade/content/context. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but get an idea what you want #sblchat
A6: Start with the mindset, be willing to compromise (#AcceptableAlternatives), and rely on gradual pressure — “glaciers move slow but make huge impacts”. #sblchat
Thank you @garnet_hillman@RoweRikW@KatieBudrow for all your prep work and moderating. Each #sblchat you provide motivation, reinforcement, and inspiration to all on this journey!
I can't thank the #sblchat community enough for such a wonderful year of learning and sharing. Can't wait to see what the 2018-19 school year brings! We will see you in August!
Yeah - especially since 3 are in Blue Jays territory and I’m a #westcoastbias sports fan. Waterloo a strong favourite with 2 programs wanting her! #sblchat
Thanks for a great chat and a great school year of #sblchat support! Lots o' thanks to @garnet_hillman and @RoweRikW for being such amazing co-mods! Looking forward to chatting with you all in the fall!
