tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post7145732623265443317..comments2024-02-14T06:20:51.688-06:00Comments on SBISD GT Book Studies: Session 2 - Question 1atxteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15216583790234498239noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-57029337844690274752010-04-13T19:28:56.500-05:002010-04-13T19:28:56.500-05:00I agree with rebeccaj on p.53 The Five Most Diffic...I agree with rebeccaj on p.53 The Five Most Difficult questions that is a preassessment strategy to move ahead in their learning. I would allow students to write their own questions, research the information, give a visual representation to the class answering the five hardest questions on that specific topic. Everyone wins when each student makes continous progress at some learning level.wanda lewishttp://wanda.lewissbisdgtbooks.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-55233836896478658512010-02-25T16:32:50.133-06:002010-02-25T16:32:50.133-06:00I agree with melscales. By doing a pre/post assess...I agree with melscales. By doing a pre/post assessment, we will be able to see more clearly what students are able to do. Sometimes, I feel like we sell ourselves short by not acknowledging that some students do come in with prior knowledge that we can tap into to enhance the lesson, rather than teaching everything.Sara Russohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05512431304528644154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-1822186948677854492010-02-25T12:05:28.884-06:002010-02-25T12:05:28.884-06:00Sharon G- I agree that the mind mapping approach w...Sharon G- I agree that the mind mapping approach would be a great tool for both you and your IEP students. I feel that most students are familiar and comfortable with graphic organizers because they do not feel there is a right or wrong answer. It would be interesting to see if these same students could eventually come up with their own mind maps to give to the other classes or students. Mind maps allow them to think outside the box and to relate many of their own interests to the subject matter.Corrin Wilcoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-39250755470660978382010-02-25T11:22:12.453-06:002010-02-25T11:22:12.453-06:00The preassessment strategy that I have never used ...The preassessment strategy that I have never used is the Five Most difficult questions strategy. I feel it would work well in both my academic and ap economics classes. I would probably make it a group challenge activity in my academic classes and make it individual for my ap classes. I feel the students would be challenged and engaged in the material with this strategy. I also feel like it will allow me to see what material (particularly in the AP classes) that I do not have to spend a lot of time explaining. I think I would expand on this preasssessment strategy by letting the students come up with some of the questions over time.Corrin Wilcoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-18926997730943293192010-02-24T23:30:34.469-06:002010-02-24T23:30:34.469-06:00Like brollins, jmelancon, and others, I, too, appr...Like brollins, jmelancon, and others, I, too, appreciate the suggestion in this chapter that it is acceptable to use one test for both the pre-assessment and the post-assessment. Why reinvent the wheel! The students who don't do well enough on the pre-assessment are not probably too likely to "memorize" the test. You could defnitely throw in 2-3 new questions that would validate that they do in fact know the material and didn't just memorize the questions from the pre-assessment.susanmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-56797375444997076322010-02-24T23:26:05.168-06:002010-02-24T23:26:05.168-06:00Although I do preassess in my classroom, especiall...Although I do preassess in my classroom, especially with respect to the Navigators units provided to me by the district for one math unit each nine weeks in math, I have never used mindmapping or the Five Most Difficult Questions as a preassessment strategy. I do not see that mindmapping would be as easily used in math as would the five most difficult questions. I will definitely incorporate this for additional units where Navigators pre-tests aren't readily available, such as measurement or fractions.susanmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-84446517701150203782010-02-24T22:43:02.621-06:002010-02-24T22:43:02.621-06:00I like what Patty said...I had not thought about u...I like what Patty said...I had not thought about using the mind mapping myself during meetings. I am a very visual, yet linear, learner, so this would really help me look at the material in a different way.Michellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-47586774934177589162010-02-24T22:39:41.718-06:002010-02-24T22:39:41.718-06:00I have not used the five most difficult questions ...I have not used the five most difficult questions preassessment. To be honest, I hadn't thought about that approach. Thinking back to when I taught middle school math, that would have been a great approach to use to with the youth I felt already knew the concepts. I could have had those students move on to more in-depth applications of the objectives, and I would have felt completely at ease that they knew the content--being that the five most difficult questions had been asked and answered. I can use this now when I am in classrooms working with students regarding friendship issues.Michellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-1418187415511428782010-02-24T21:34:22.259-06:002010-02-24T21:34:22.259-06:00In response to Kandel's fan, we all need to co...In response to Kandel's fan, we all need to continue to become competent. I believe we all need to continue to push ourselves to be life-long learners in order to be excellent teachers. We need to continue to become "competent" in meeting the needs of our students, building relationships with them, and exhausting all possible avenues to make sure they are growing in their learning (a.k.a. differentiating based on assessed student need).<br /><br /><br />I need to become more competent in preassessment. This text offers so much sound advice on how to do it.... Unfortunately, there is more than one strategy that I've not used with students. But after six years of being in a different teaching capacity, upon returning to the classroom I know I am moving in the right direction. The Five Most Difficult Questions is newest to me (as is restructuring my time to make preassessment worthwhile). It is often difficult to prioritize what needs to be done before what has to be done right now. No more excuses.Elise Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-31134504204447017122010-02-24T21:28:50.901-06:002010-02-24T21:28:50.901-06:00In response to S.Hardie, using the 5 most difficul...In response to S.Hardie, using the 5 most difficult questions in an open-ended manner would serve two purposes (1)Communicates prior knowledge (2)Be a stem to allow the learner to explore topics and prompt the teacher to allow them to pursue those topics. I like it!Elise Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-81696187756122002592010-02-23T21:37:03.333-06:002010-02-23T21:37:03.333-06:00Tiggeronmars talked about preassessment from a sta...Tiggeronmars talked about preassessment from a staff development point of view. When I teach in settings like Teacher U, it is basically a one-shot deal and not very conducive to preassessment. I think, though, that I could definitely adapt some preassessment strategies in my ongoing work with teachers in my building. I'll have to think about how I could do that.patricetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-44719948973686954402010-02-23T21:11:00.483-06:002010-02-23T21:11:00.483-06:00I can relate to kandel's fan about feeling lik...I can relate to kandel's fan about feeling like you are "changing the tire while the wheel is in motion." Pre-assemsment, if you are not already accustomed to using it can certainly be overwhelming thinking about tackling it for every concept in every subject area. We also have to remember that we can take this on one step at a time, and to collaborate with our teammates, our specialists, and any and everyone who will help! Teaching is also a process of learning, and as we become more and more experienced we will grow in our understanding of not only what is best for students, but the best way to implement it.sanchezhnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-9579185519112300472010-02-23T21:06:22.341-06:002010-02-23T21:06:22.341-06:00The method I have not used, but would like to try ...The method I have not used, but would like to try is the Five Most Difficult Questions. As a counselor, there are character ed. and social/emotional themes that I carry on in guidance lessons from year to year. It would be helpful to me and more productive for my students if I were to assess them in this way to know which ones are able to internalize these themes in a way that leads to actual practice, and which ones still need more practice.pattynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-17835168500230708722010-02-23T21:00:33.381-06:002010-02-23T21:00:33.381-06:00I agree with Jeanne that mind-mapping would be a g...I agree with Jeanne that mind-mapping would be a great way to take notes myself when I am in a meeting or a workshop, and I plan on trying it. It is a much more interesting way to take notes than just making a straight outline, which is my usual mode. I think this method would also work well with kids who are non-linear thinkers.pattynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-9545841455652183482010-02-23T19:52:30.922-06:002010-02-23T19:52:30.922-06:00In response to Christa - I have used the KWL chart...In response to Christa - I have used the KWL charts for years, but I'm not sure I've used them correctly. It seems like I've always had to be reminded to go back and fill in the last part or to revisit it at the end of the unit. The kids want to go back and check things off, but I forget! I also like the idea of "how to learn" the material. Again, that gives them ownership and may produce some really creative products!melscalesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-45945931240646797632010-02-23T19:49:40.739-06:002010-02-23T19:49:40.739-06:00I agree with Elise Williams when she states that i...I agree with Elise Williams when she states that it seems like a lot of work up front to create an interest inventory. But it would be worth it in the end! I also think it gives the kids more ownership of what they are learning and how they learn it. There are so many great ideas in this book! i just wish there was more time to plan and implement...melscalesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-78586713162487313982010-02-23T19:46:26.847-06:002010-02-23T19:46:26.847-06:00@Sara Russo: I really liked the suggestion about ...@Sara Russo: I really liked the suggestion about using the memory map for the special education students to help them get organized and sort out their thoughts. I am definately going to use this in my class. Sometimes it is overwhelming to come up with a million different strategies on your own and it is nice to read suggestions and think "I can do that."Christahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13572699778164078301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-18946287617487250332010-02-23T19:45:54.297-06:002010-02-23T19:45:54.297-06:00I have not used the 5 most difficult questions. I...I have not used the 5 most difficult questions. I think I would like to try it with my PGP students and see how it works. Most of what we do together is research and not so skills-oriented, so it might be more of a challenge than with a more skills-oriented subject like math (p. 54). I like the idea of "testing out" of a unit in order to "free up" the student(s) to engage in more challenging experiences on the same topic. (pp. 54-55) I think so many times, teachers are worried about covering the material necessary that they forget that there are kids who already know a lot about the subject and need to be pushed to another level. This strategy would do just that.melscalesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-49712795647845268442010-02-23T19:22:03.523-06:002010-02-23T19:22:03.523-06:00I have not used the full KWL chart. I have just u...I have not used the full KWL chart. I have just used the "what do you know" part of it to brain storm what my students already know about a topic. I really like the column which states "how do you want to learn about this topic." (p. 50). I teach 12th grade government and I know that my students sometimes get bored with the topics. If I allowed them more input and used this preassessment strategy, I think that my students would be more excited about the topics. I also feel that it is hard for me to come up with projects/assements that are different from the typical ones and I feel that my studets would definately contribute some neat ideas.Christahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13572699778164078301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-57057529222006646152010-02-23T18:10:18.980-06:002010-02-23T18:10:18.980-06:00I agree with jmelancon…….What an excellent idea of...I agree with jmelancon…….What an excellent idea of using the end of the unit assessment – saves time and makes sense. I look forward to trying this strategy on my next unit!!BRollinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-37179029977466388482010-02-23T17:58:32.630-06:002010-02-23T17:58:32.630-06:00“End of the Unit Assessment” I have never thought ...“End of the Unit Assessment” I have never thought about using the end of the unit test – that is a great strategy!! On page 46 the author says, “Kids can’t learn something they already know.” By giving the end of the unit assessment students’ show what they know and you save teaching time – a win win situation. I will use this strategy this next nine weeks on my science unit on environmentsBRollinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-64559338153459891622010-02-23T17:25:41.585-06:002010-02-23T17:25:41.585-06:00jmelancon, I am also in favor of using the post te...jmelancon, I am also in favor of using the post test as a preassessment and the validity of that hit home when I tried it with one of my students this week. As it turned out, he could solve probability word problems with great success, unless they involved a picture requiring him to count the objects. It became very obvious that we needed to work on a systematic way that worked for him to count items in pictorial models! The only errors he made involved either undercounting or double counting objects or pieces of pie charts. He will do much better on the probability post assessment now that he has a process for counting accurately!jeanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-31120753188771500102010-02-22T21:32:53.240-06:002010-02-22T21:32:53.240-06:00I agree with what Elise Williams said about how it...I agree with what Elise Williams said about how it will be a lot of work in the beginning to prepare for the pre-assessments, but it will be worth it in the end. Like it says on p. 46, YES!! pre-assessment is worth the time because it allows for continuous progress. Pre-assessment helps to make sure that students are getting the most out of their time in class and always continuing to grow depending on their previous knowledge.jmelanconnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-29405747737950526812010-02-22T21:10:37.114-06:002010-02-22T21:10:37.114-06:00Using a matching pretest/post test, as jmelancon s...Using a matching pretest/post test, as jmelancon suggests, does simplify matters, it does make sense. I know there are drawbacks because the students needing instruction will already be familiar with the post test. This makes the post test less valid. Further to what I mentioned in an earlier entry, here's what I tried: I gave the students an activity on food chains, letting them decide on a food chain to follow. The text had minimal coverage, as did the class introduction. When they got started it took no time before the students let me know they did not know the material. This obviously isn't an intentional pre-assessment. Two things come to mind with this confession: becoming systematic with a paperless pre-assessment using activotes, and having a synaptic path to get children to what they need to be studying.Kandel's fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16445726905258168419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403699399198923073.post-1506420914695088232010-02-22T20:47:59.602-06:002010-02-22T20:47:59.602-06:00I agree with what Wanda Lewis suggested about intr...I agree with what Wanda Lewis suggested about introducing the Mind Map. After modeling one time whole group, I think will do the preassessment in small groups to encourage participation by all and to observe their ability to do it on their own. I have used interest inventories to guide the formation of inquiry groups in the past. I need to reflect more on how I could utilize these for preassessment. I am really intrigued by the idea of using some of my known tools like KWL and interest inventories to guide preassessment. Like Sharon G. I am very interested in how our various trials work out in our classrooms.Debra Pnoreply@blogger.com