R1: true definition of standard is average. If we are talking about “standards” then they are the middle ground we expect all students to meet. It’s middle ground. Top of the bell curve. Teaching to the middle #IDedchat
I might be jumping ahead, but I prefer to call standards “indicators” because we can enrich them to the level we need for all our students, no matter their ability level. @AinsworthLarry#IDedchat
A3: to me the word makes my brain automatically jump to standardized test which increases my level of anxiety as a current teacher and mom & former student myself #idedchat
R3: see my response from earlier. If we standardize everything, we aren’t teaching or teaching the ability of our students—be it G/T, honors, SpEd, or EL Ss. We must do better! #idedchat
Right there with you! The "test" that is a one time snap of what a students knows...if they had a good night sleep, has eaten, etc, etc, etc, #IDedchat
I might be jumping ahead, but I prefer to call standards “indicators” because we can enrich them to the level we need for all our students, no matter their ability level. @AinsworthLarry#IDedchat
I think of standards as the information which has been established as what all students should know and be able to do. Standards do not need to limit creativity—with planning and management creativity does happen #IDedchat
This is what irritates me with “sandardization”. In ele ed, we want to keep Ss together because of age. Unfortunately, we have Ss that move at different paces. Why hold them back/miss out if we go too fast. Grade levels is something that IMO should be visited. #IDedchat
I couldn't agree more! my 4-year-old is already reading at a 2nd-grade-level, writes better than some of my 5th graders...but yet if he enters a public school he's be handcuffed to just KG next year. #IDedchat
A3.5 The things we choose to standardize matter. "Everyone teach XYZ today with this script" is not good. "Everyone find a theme for PBL that fits you" is good. #IDedchat
Yes. My 2nd grader reads at mid third/early 4th grade level for comprehension. Math ability is pretty good also. But she prob won’t be in high ability due to a speech issue. #IDedchat
A5: That's just it, they're a tool. They're a great point for us to start as teachers...but they aren't the end result. Just because our standard doesn't cover it, doesn't mean we can't cover it if the students are ready. #IDedchat
A5 Standards are the finish line that rarely gets crossed when we standardize the wrong things and stop looking at the individual and their student voice.#IDedchat
Personalized learning...my son is doing fractions (starting to understand them) something that isn't supposed to be touched on for years for him... #IDedchat
A5) Standards are the skills that kids should have, but there is not just one good way to get them there. Tools help but they are not the solution. #idedchat
A5: standards can be the starting point for engaging Ss. Teachers can then move Ss beyond those to stretch and empower their thinking #idedchat#residentlurker
I am not slamming my child’s teacher. She is AWESOME and does a ton of differentiation. Unfortunately, when there are classes of 27-30 Ss, it makes that PE hard in 2nd grade. That’s why she gets extra here at home. But what about kids that done have that? #IDedchat
Let students have a part in going beyond the standards. Let them help “create” the curriculum associated with their learning choices linked to the standards #IDedchat
R5: This is where #PBL really works well with Ss. They can delve deeper into content as needed and I can help them explore content in a personalized way. The indicators allow the framework for this #idedchat
I couldn't agree more! my 4-year-old is already reading at a 2nd-grade-level, writes better than some of my 5th graders...but yet if he enters a public school he's be handcuffed to just KG next year. #IDedchat
I've looked into it in my area and I am told "He'll only be 5, so he's required to be in KG due to the age" grr! Not saying I would have him at my school, but I'd love the option. #IDedchat
A5b: just the other day, "It's not in your standard to teach that, so let 6th grade take care of it." for citing a source in their writing...AND going further in math (standard algorithm for division) #IDedchat
This is a great point Abe! We have been studying PLCs that Work.... There are so MANY standards - it is hard to not have them become a "laundry list." So...we have started choosing Essential Standards. #IDedchat
I have heard this before - that is when standards become a checklist (as @id_rms1 mentioned). We need to be sure to still take teachable moments. #IDedchat
Absolutely - it is so important that Teachers remember the "unwritten" curriculum of establishing those relationships before any learning can occur! #IDedchat
A3) No one wants to believe that they are standard. Except maybe a widget, hehehe. Look in this group, I would not say any of you are average, but if we were labeled that way, how would we eventually act? #IDedchat
A key when considering how to include student voice, how to differentiate curriculum and/or delivery, how to create time—is planning with a vision or goal in mind. Plan to use every minute of each class with purpose and intention #IDedchat
Ask some teachers & they have no clue. Again @AinsworthLarry brought this to light for my former school & we met as Ts of the same content to figure out what was important & what it meant. then we did our own teaching of content. But we did the same assessment. #IDedchat
A5b: Teachers feel pressure to teach ALL of their standards to mastery - when some may not be "essential" to their grade level or content. This can be paralyzing as well. #IDedchat
We have ES identified by our district, these are good...but even those seem a bit limited. I don't mind CCSS, but I do miss the old Idaho Standards at times... #IDedchat
A5b: By having teachers narrow down the laundry list of standards to those that they agree are Essential - it leaves much more room for professional decisions and creativity! #IDedchat
A6: in a perfect world, we'd have the freedom to teach what/how we know best for our students. However, now we must be as creative as we can in our limited box and interject as much personality as we can. #IDedchat
Do teachers have any role in identifying the ES? or are they all done at the district level? The power is when teachers have a voice in the decision making. #IDedchat
I'm sure they did have a say and were part of the committee, I left my current district 4 years ago and just came back this year...but I bet it happened err... I hope it happened #IDedchat
R6: again #PBL allows Ss to hit the 4Cs while working toward understanding of the content established by people that make more $$$ than I do. #idedchat
A5b: Teachers feel pressure to teach ALL of their standards to mastery - when some may not be "essential" to their grade level or content. This can be paralyzing as well. #IDedchat
A6 If you are a master at knowing your standards, don't limit yourself to a prescribed list of them on assignments. See mastery on a standard not in the rubric? Note it and update the grades if possible. #IDedchat
Want to do something powerful? Have your Ss unwrap the standards to establish what they need to learn. I did this with Ss many years ago after hearing @DouglasReeves#idedchat
Want to do something powerful? Have your Ss unwrap the standards to establish what they need to learn. I did this with Ss many years ago after hearing @DouglasReeves#idedchat
A key when considering how to include student voice, how to differentiate curriculum and/or delivery, how to create time—is planning with a vision or goal in mind. Plan to use every minute of each class with purpose and intention #IDedchat
A7: Innovation is not being afraid to think outside the box, using new tools in new ways, AND taking what we "have" to do and put a new spin on it..possibly using technology but not in every case. #IDedchat
A7 Sometimes innovation seems to simply be doing things that research has supported for years but no one else in the district seems to be doing yet. #IDedchat
Autonomy, voice, and choice - Ts and Ss can work together to design learning outcomes and activities that meet the diverse learning needs AND standards. #IDedchat
R7: Innovation is taking something and making it better. Our problem is that Ss have been told to follow our rules and expectations and not question what we do in classrooms and it has reduced the ability for Ss to be innovative or think outside the box. #idedchat
R7: there was a time when we had time to build towers and do finger painting in ele school. Someone decided that we needed to do more testing and these activities went out the window. It has led to the “zombie effect” of learning. #idedchat
That is where the 4Cs come in to play-Ss (and Ts) need to "unlearn" and "relearn" how to learn. Think about their own thinking - question everything. #IDedchat
A8: It would allow teachers to be "masters" of the standard and allow deeper lessons for the Ss. BUT, ES or not...there are other important things needed to meet the ES goal too. #IDedchat
A8: Essential Standards don't become the "only thing you teach" but instead narrows focus of mastery - opening up time to explore; take learning to a deeper level; extend thinking... #IDedchat
Yes!!! So many students struggle with creativity... I think it's so important for teachers to push creativity and all types. If students can explain why they did it and how they think it applies to the standard...I say bravo!!!! #IDedchat
Honestly, this relearning how to learn is difficult with Ss that have been beaten down and checked out from 2nd grade on when they didn’t have success or were told they were “bad”. I don’t give up on this, just being a realist with the current status of school. #IDedchat
Agreed - The ES don't have to be the only thing taught - just what is monitored. Those other important things can actually have time that way... #IDedchat
R8: This allows us to build on the foundation and make sure we have done a great job with it. If we don’t have that foundation, the palace of learning will crumble. #idedchat
Yes - many times our most "successful" students have the hardest time with innovation because it doesn't follow the "normal rules" of school. :-) #IDedchat
Without changing it from PreK to 12+, I’m afraid we will spin our wheels over and over. We have to get away from the Test, Test, Test mentality and give Ss more opportunity to explore, question, research. #IDedchat
Formative Assessment is great...formal paper/pencil not so much when we have to do it over and over and over and over and over and over again... #IDedchat
