sábado, 30 de marzo de 2013

Evidence in education

During this Diagnosis Period we have been working on the concept of EVIDENCE. Of course that during the brainstorming they linked the concept of evidence with crimes and robberies and the definition they could construct together was "Evidence is information to solve a mistery or find a robber". After sharing different opinions and anecdotes we came to the conclusion that evidence is a useful tool for understanding and analyzing texts, for predicting and giving opinions.
Now comes my contribution: before starting with the classes I´ve been reflecting upon evaluation and assessment and I decided to be more consistent and tidy about this issue. I´ve talked about this with Dai and she gave me some ideas (as usual!). She reccomended me to keep a record of the daily oral performance in the assemblies and she explained that in 5th they use codes (0,1,2,3). The rubrics for assessing this are:

0: no participation
1: Participated in few occassions, didn´t use the correct function ("How do you say?") or said many words in Spanish
2: Made an effort to participate and transmit the message, good attitude, asked for help in the correct way ("What is the word in English for..?")
3: Spoke fluently, used appropriate vocabulary and functions, achieved the goals of the assembly

I feel kids are participating more and many are concerned about reaching 3. I took a copybook and there I put several charts to organize: marks of the exams, dictations, practical tasks, homework, response activities and the charts for
oral performance. I think that it will be useful for assessing children and in case I have meetings with parents there I have all the EVIDENCE together!!

martes, 5 de marzo de 2013

A teacher's survival kit



I'm feeling optimistic about this new year! I would like to share with you something I received when I finished the Prof. Have a nice beginning and let's reflect a lot!!


A teacher's survival kit


TOOTHPICK
Reminds us to look for good qualities in our students. You may be the only teacher who says something positive to them that day.

RUBBER BAND
Reminds us that we have to be flexible. Things don’t always go the way we plan. But flexibility will help to work it out.

PENCIL
Reminds us to be thankful and to list our blessings daily. We should also encourage our students to list their blessings and be proud of their accomplishments.

ERASER
Reminds us to allow students to know that we are human and that we make mistakes just like they do, and that it’s okay. We must all be able to learn from our mistakes.

CHEWING GUM
Reminds us to stick with it and encourage our students to do likewise. Even the impossible task or assignment can be accomplished by sticking with it.

MINT
Reminds us and our students that we are worth a mint. (We may not be a paid a mint, but we are worth one!)

CANDY KISS
Reminds us that everyone needs a hug, kiss or warm fuzzy everyday. All teachers, students and even a

TEA BAG
Reminds us that we need time to relax and take time for others. Family, husbands, wives, friends, children need quality time together

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