Assessment
PD for the Holiday Break: 7 Lessons and Blogs
Resources and quick reads
December 21, 2011
During my first year of teaching, I assigned students homework over the holidays. The week before we left for break, I handed out a packet on thermodynamics. It was due three weeks later. Some of my students left the room singing, "You're a mean one, Mr. B."
Many of you have some time off next week, so I thought I should reclaim my Grinch status. Therefore, I have reading assignments for you.
Homework Directions
Each day, read the assigned blog. As you read, keep in mind the following question: What New Year Resolutions can I make to engage my students in learning? (Note: Reading with a question in mind is a very effective reading comprehension strategy)
Due Date: Reflect on the guiding question and post your answer in the comment section by January 2.
Monday
Every good assignment should start with a hook. If this title doesn't get you interested nothing will.
- Start with "So, One of my students is a pilot." from Shawn Cornally's Think Thank Thunk blog. Now, read his rant against grading homework, Riled Up: Stop Grading Homework, Please) and then explore his other excellent posts on standards based grading.
- For extra credit (which violates everything you just read about SBG), start reading Jason Buell's Always Formative blog.
Tuesday
Thursday
- Inquire Within is a group blog that explores inquiry in the classroom. More than two dozen bloggers share their thoughts and classroom experiences inquiring with their students. The post, A Fish-Friend Inquiry describes an authentic inquiry generated by a young child's interest in finding a suitable friend for a fish. In Make Time for . . . Curiosity, Tyler Rice asks, How do you honor student curiosity in your classroom?
Friday
- Dan Meyer's blog is a must read for math teachers. His Pseudocontext Satardays point out how ridiculous most math problems are, while What Can You Do With This? posts provide inspiration for helping students think deeply about mathematics. For example, You don't have to be the answer key takes on the traditional math textbook problem and shows how to get students thinking mathematically.
- Since it is Saturday, we will shift gears a bit. Let's take a look at the Geek Dad blog as they explore how to raise the next generation of geeks (no worries, one of Geek Dad's crew is Geek Mom). Geek Dad's Roy Wood describes how to build an animated talking Christmas tree. Daniel Donahoo shows off the Nerdy Baby App. Andy Robertson explains how the Nintendo DS game, Wario Ware D.I.Y., gave his eight-year-old daughter a platform to start programming her own video games.
- Differentiation at it's finest! Read your favorite blog and post its link in the comment section!