Chapter 1:
Please reflect on the following excerpt on page 21 in the CASL book:
A learning team is not a book group…the discussion that occurs during team meetings is a means to the end, and not the end itself. If we don’t commit to trying things out between team meetings, nothing different will be happening in our classrooms…
- As a grade level team, what are some balanced assessment strategies you have been using this year?
- How are these strategies impacting student learning and achievement?
We all are accountable to end-of -year testing, whether it’s HATs or SOL tests.
- How do you implement balanced assessment strategies when faced with SOL score pressures?
- What balanced assessment strategies are you implementing that will help your students with SOL tests?
Chapters 2 and 3
Page 34 (and pages 41-46 — wow, look at those VERY specific strategies, great stuff!)
In order to have success, students need to know the answer to three questions: 1) what is the target, 2) where am I in relation to the target and 3) how do I close the gap between the two. It is our job to make sure that students both ask these questions and know the answers. In fact, number 3 is where we come in — we help them close the gap with scaffolded activities and feedback, that is formative assessment. Later we grade them to see if they did indeed close the gap; we summarize their learning using summative assessments.
- What are your team’s aha moments from Chapter 2?
- What information do you want to retain from this chapter?
In HCPS we have done a good job articulating (to adults) what should be taught in order to have success on the tested SOLs. In classroom after classroom, the targeted SOL is posted on the board. However, the terminology is far from student-friendly. The targeted SOLs seem to be aimed at adults (especially those who will observe the lesson!)
- Chapter 3 is devoted to “clear targets.” Have you deconstructed any of your SOLs and written them in kid-friendly language? Tell how your grade level has tackled this thus far and how this strategy is working.