Do you hate giving zeros? Do you think a zero is an appropriate response to a student who refused to do work? Do you think it's right to use every grade a student produced in a grading period to produce his or her final grade? Do you use rubrics? Do you rely on multiple choice or essay tests? Do you give a grade without comments or do you always comment? Do you think giving a 50 as the lowest grade rewards students for doing nothing?
My thoughts on grading practices have been influenced by the following:
Formative Assessment Video
Working Inside the Black Box
Doug Reeves
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Contests
When I taught, I always tried to be on the lookout for contests my kids could enter. I figured it gave some authenticy to their work, especially when it corresponded to my curriculum. Here are some I've come across lately. If you know of some that aren't posted, please share!
Arbor Day National Poster Contest - for fifth graders, comes with curriculum, cash prizes
Alliance for Young Artists and Writers - for 7-12 grade, exhibition, scholarship, and publication
Scholastic Book Club Contests - continuing contests, aimed at elementary
Essay Contest - sponsored by Penguin books, yearly contest, 11th and 12th grade students read book and write essay, scholoarship money and classroom library
Oh, The Places You'll Go! - yearly essay contest for seniors, scholarship
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/readandplay/ - monthly contest to win book sets
National History Day - yearly contest, historical focus, secondary students, cash prizes and medals
Invention Dimension - yearly contest; invent new game, toy, or sport equipement; ages 6-19; cash, prizes and trip
Arbor Day National Poster Contest - for fifth graders, comes with curriculum, cash prizes
Alliance for Young Artists and Writers - for 7-12 grade, exhibition, scholarship, and publication
Scholastic Book Club Contests - continuing contests, aimed at elementary
Essay Contest - sponsored by Penguin books, yearly contest, 11th and 12th grade students read book and write essay, scholoarship money and classroom library
Oh, The Places You'll Go! - yearly essay contest for seniors, scholarship
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/readandplay/ - monthly contest to win book sets
National History Day - yearly contest, historical focus, secondary students, cash prizes and medals
Invention Dimension - yearly contest; invent new game, toy, or sport equipement; ages 6-19; cash, prizes and trip
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Videos
You may have seen some of these videos, but I'm hoping there are new ones. I find these motivational and great resources to use with colleagues during professional development. If you've become jaded or uninspired, check one of these out:
I teach, therefore you learn... or do you?
A vision of students today
Information R/evolution
The Machine is Us/ing Us
Did You Know 4.0
Shift Happens
Schools Kill Creativity
I teach, therefore you learn... or do you?
A vision of students today
Information R/evolution
The Machine is Us/ing Us
Did You Know 4.0
Shift Happens
Schools Kill Creativity
Friday, October 9, 2009
Careers
This site provides videos of people explaining their careers. It's all about finding your own path. Roadtrip Nation
This government site allows kids to pick what they're interested in and then see what it takes to do the job and how much they can make. BLS Career Information
Post-secondary information. Includes "find the perfect career" searchable information. College Planning
Online games to play about applying for jobs and other career information. CareerGames
This government site allows kids to pick what they're interested in and then see what it takes to do the job and how much they can make. BLS Career Information
Post-secondary information. Includes "find the perfect career" searchable information. College Planning
Online games to play about applying for jobs and other career information. CareerGames
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Need help?
Here's a site that is dedicated to the community of English teachers helping each other: English Companion
Are you a math teacher looking for some online games and tutorials? Look here: Hooda Math
Want to kick up your students' Powerpoint presentations? Try Animoto
A cool site for collaborative storytelling: Storybird
Are you a math teacher looking for some online games and tutorials? Look here: Hooda Math
Want to kick up your students' Powerpoint presentations? Try Animoto
A cool site for collaborative storytelling: Storybird
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