October 27, 2009The demands of grading and the shorter class periods this year and impacted how we have implemented grading this year. We had to adapt our test grading so that 70% of the test was level 1, 20% was level 2, and 10% was level 3. This still allows students to demonstrate mastery.
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June 27, 2009Designing Effective Homework – Debra Pickering Summary of session Have students keep an Assignment Notebook with the following information for each out of class assignment. Assignment: Due Date: Learning Goal: As a result of doing this assignment, I should Know more about…. Understand better…. Be more skilled at…. 1. Homework should be designed to enhance [...]
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June 27, 2009Are we ready to be completely transparent? How about using USTREAM to present instruction from one teacher into the classrooms of every other Algebra 1 teacher. For example: Have 1 instructor share how to use the Calculator with all the classes meeting that period. This would mean that all students received the same instruction. When [...]
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May 24, 2009The day before TAKS one of my students came in to go over Functions, Slope, Quadratics and more. We reviewed the impact of the rate of change on the graph, the shift of graphs both linear and quadratic and discussed strategies to use. For example Mrs. Douglas showed us an easy way for students to [...]
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May 22, 2009Yesterday I told my students about the final exam and what to expect. When I mentioned that there would only be 25 questions over 3 units I had 2 interesting responses. 1. WHAT? that means the every questions counts 4 points each, I can’t miss very many and still make the grade I want. 2. [...]
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May 19, 2009Preliminary scores for 9th grade math TAKS are approximately 76% passing. These are rough estimates and the percentage could go up or down but probably not by much. Our goal was 74% so we are VERY pleased with this information. This is a 6% improvement over last year’s scores and I believe it is a [...]
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May 17, 2009Students will be going to the computer labs to begin working on their alternative assessments starting on Monday. Teachers will pair up and 1 will take students to the computer lab for training and the other will remain in the classroom with students as they review material already covered. This will prevent students in the [...]
Posted in Algebra 1, Alternative Assessments, News and Updates 1 Comment »
May 12, 2009Today we met with the rep from Excelsior Software about a gradebook program that will automatically calculate the power law as well as straight average. We were very impressed the possibilities that are available with this program. Not only does it provide a standards based report card but it integrates with Skyward. It is totally [...]
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May 12, 2009According to the book study, we should have power standards K-9 which prepare students to be successful citizens after high school regardless of their plans for higher education. Then there are higher standards for 10-12 that are for upper level classes. Also there should not be more than 15-20 power standards per subject with no [...]
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April 29, 2009Welcome to the BISD Grading Policy Pilot blog. Here we will add news, updates, and teacher reflections on the process as we attempt to create a standards-based grading policy for BHS. This pilot will begin with Algebra 1 teachers beginning in the last six weeks of the 2008-2009 school year and will continue in the [...]
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