UPDATE UNIT THREE TEST

Due to time and the nature of the standard - I am proposing that we move RI 8.3 to the next unit and remove it from this unit.  The use of analogies and comparisons may fit very well within the argumentation standard. I am especially thinking of the arguments that MLK Jr. makes in "I Have a Dream" - he has so many analogies within that one text. Actually, most arguments made with rich language may include the use of analogies and comparisons.

Also - I just don't think I can teach that standard and RI 8.9 this week and be ready for a test by next Tuesday. This is, of course, on top of getting the writing accomplished. UGH!


So Tiffany posted some questions to Dropbox and I am going to post mine this evening. Please upload anything you have! What we MUST do is write our answers to the ERQ and SAQ's. Do this independently and bring to the PLC Thursday - please have this finished. We need to hash this out together before we asses the students. Also, please have completed the MC questions to make sure there are no misunderstandings/confusions that could pose a problem for our kids. I really want to get together after the test is given and score together - at least one class. We can trade and grade or grade our own. This will help us each see issues, common errors, etc. We can do this next Wednesday during our PLC's.

Please give me feedback on dropping RI 8.3 or if you have any questions (email or comment below)!

Unit 3 Common Assessment and Test Writing

For unit 3 we need to assess the reading standards RI 8.2, RI 8.3, RI 8.9. Plus we need to stay on L.8.4 and L.8.5. 

We are using the Benedict Arnold Passages and the passage on government in the Common Core Clinic book specifically for RI 8.3. Here is a link on teaching RI 8.9. In the last paragraph it includes links to the two Benedict Arnold passages we are using on the text. I have them electronically & hard copy at school. 


WRITING QUALITY QUESTIONS: I think assessment writing is tough stuff, as we try to make the tests authentic to KPREP. I found this link to a sample test WITH explanations of questions. Scroll through and look at how the questions are written and the justifications - a great guide to help you as you write! RI 8.2 is prominently featured in the constructed response. Check it out! 

Advanced Synthesis Practice and Assessment Pieces for On-Demand Practice

I found two articles in a magazine we have laying around the house that directly relates to the same topics/themes of Outliers (it is titled Scientific American Mind--it is scholarly).  I was reading the On-Demand practice prompt for argument, and I think one article can work as practice, and the other can work as the test.  I think we can practice teaching them how to synthesize information from both the book and the article.  The On-Demand test will only provide them one relatively easy passage.  We will be bumping up the difficulty level beyond the test which will hopefully enable better results on the real On-Demand test.  The articles differ in the exact argument they are presenting, but a lot of the information is similar to the book.  I think it would be a good exercise to teach them how to weed through both the article and book to provide a well informed argument on a position.  I think our argument we ask them to write will have to deal with what are the factors that create extreme success; i.e. opportunity/culture/socio-economic position vs. innate ability, or a mix of both.  For On-Demand it tells them what side to take, so I think we should do that also.  This choice in argument would not focus on the use of anecdote, so we would just need to completely change the prompt.  I will show you the articles, and we will discuss it.  I will get my husband to scan the, so I can email them to you this weekend. 

P.S.  I know you already know this stuff about On-Demand, so I am spitting out what I know, so you can correct any of my misconceptions. 

Calendar/Common Assessment

Our semester is closing quickly.

My students will be turning in their final drafts of the research assignment on Dec. 10.  It has taken us since the start of the unit to get this far and I have been explicitly focused on RI 8.2 and W 8.2.  We will write an essay as a class next week as a strategy for teaching writing.  I have two organizers that I found helpful as well.  I will need to give the Common Reading Assessment on the Dec. 14 so that I have time to get in a Common Written Narrative before break.  

I believe we all need to write questions for the Common Assessment by Thursday of next week, so we can begin putting it together--which usually takes about 2 weeks. 

If you can look at the Benedict Arnold piece, and write one question under each standard assigned to a target--so about three MC questions.  Make sure you write which target and standard is being assessed.  We will go over our questions together on Thursday.  Ms. Dixon will be assigned to our meeting that day.   

Updated Advanced Common Assessment on Dropbox

I have found an article to assess the standard about bias language.  I purpose three articles.  2 ERQs and 1 SAQ.  They can choose between two articles for one of the ERQs.  I am taking off the original SAQ.  I would like to change the wording of the first ERQ to include rhetorical appeals. 


-Tiffany

Videos for our Current Reading Standards

Here is are some videos that illustrate some the standards we are currently using. Of course, our topics differ but the approach to the target should be similar. I don't think the teaching strategies are extraordinary or uber creative in these videos, but they are certainly intentional and very focused on the standards. I really like how they annotate the targets as they teach.

This one features RI.8.9 (8.6 is being used too, but we are not assessing that target - we can mention it OF COURSE - but it won't be a focus for us at this time):
http://www.pd360.com/index.cfm?ContentId=5370

This one features RI8.3 and RI 8.1. Tiffany, look at resources (Springboard). http://www.pd360.com/index.cfm?ContentId=5370

CHALLENGE!

Good Morning!

I have a challenge for our PLC group. I would like for each of us to log into our CIITS accounts and get hooked up to PD360! 

PD 360 is like a facebook+youtube+blackboard for teachers. Despite my original scoffing, I am actually digging the resource. You create a profile, connect to colleagues and find helpful videos on everything. (Warning *ahem, cobb* My computer plug-in is in full gear!)

I've watched a lesson on teaching RL 8.2 this morning - it was not extraordinary but it was a great way to see how someone else tackled a standard - new peeps (and really all of us) this is great way for you to 'observe' other folks teaching styles. For instance, the girl in the video I watched talked about she 'diffused' the learning target with her students. It's like she annotated the target with her students before each lesson, so targets are not just posted - they are intentionally discussed each day. A really easy technique that I grabbed by watching a 3 minutes of a video.

I know there were some original log-in issues, but I encourage you to try again. As we get more proficient with this we can start and join groups on the site that are filled with resources and advice.
I think you have to get into to CIITS to get to PD 360, so......

CIITS Log On:
1. Go to MCHS web page - Staff Links - CIITS
2. Log in with your school email. I think you can get a password sent to you if your password isn;t working. I had to do that earlier this year. It sent immediately.
3. On CIITS site you have a home page. I'll admit - the CIITS site is way over my head. I am not having any luck finding wonderful, inspiring material on the site. I need training for it. HOWEVER, you can link to PD 360 from there.
4. On the right hand side of your CIITS home page you should see a link for PD 360. It is a little green apple and says "PD 360". *I had to fix the pop-up blocker on my computer to get to it - which is weird because I rarely have to do that on my computer. 

Create an account for PD 360.
Once you are on there is a profile creator that is super similar to most social networking profile startups. It will prompt you to add information and connect to colleagues. After that the Internet magic takes over and you suddenly are lost in videos and searches. ;)  There is some points thingy that calculates how many points you can earn by doing different stuff on the site: 10 points for watching a video, 10 points for finding a colleague....I have no clue what the points are for but I am secretly wishing they'll transfer to dollars. Ha!

What to do on PD 360.
My suggestion is to click on the PD videos and the Common Core links. If you are looking for instructional materials - go Common Core. If you are looking for classroom management go to PD videos. There is a ton of stuff - some are better quality than others - but give it try. It is a quick and easy way to access info on improving instruction - and it beats the hell out of sorting through  research articles and books (says the reading teacher).

LET'S DO THIS! (Cue poms poms & fight song). We will can be the first McNabb PLC to have synced into PD 360 - that's fun, right?