In a recent post on assessment, I spoke about feedback, a term we educators frequently invoke although not always with shared meaning. My point in that post was about the importance of feedback in relation to formative assessment and student growth. Students need an opportunity to respond to instruction through a demonstration of their learning […]
Which Assessments are Most Worthy of Class Time: Formative, Interim, Summative?
I’ve lately been surprised by the number of educators questioning the difference between formative, interim, and summative assessments. The difference is as clear as it is muddy! Not much help, huh? Well, the clear part is this: among the three types of assessment, formative assessment should be used most frequently and always followed up […]
Equipping Students to Foster Civility in Conversation
In days gone by, rules of etiquette and decorum were set in print. As a youngster, George Washington ascribed to 110 maxims printed in Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation (for full listing see this NPR link). The first of these maxims sets the tone for all others: “Every action […]
Planning for Summer – Returning to School Spiritually and Intellectually Sharp
Summer vacation nips at the heels of spring field trips, eighth grade promotions, and high school graduations. Although days of summer sun lengthen in the count of hours, summer vacation grows shorter as each sun sets. For teachers and students, these days are numbered from the outset—not by a meteorological calendar or an astrological […]
DoK: What’s The Buzz?
When I began my career as a teacher, we were expected to address the cognitive and affective domains for teaching and learning in the design and communication of learning goals. As such, we were responsible for crafting and delivering lessons that taught and challenged students intellectually–the cognitive domain—as well as addressing how students felt […]