Checking for Understanding

During a lesson do you ever see this? ...

Then after the lesson you see this ...

Or the day before a test or quiz you might see this? 

Then you as a teacher feel like this ...

So what are different ways to check for understanding during and after a lesson, as well as some alternatives to reteaching?


Some very creative teachers have listed almost 100 ways to check for understanding in interesting, fun or just plain quick ways!

 
 1.  10 Assessments You Can Perform in 90 Seconds  from TeachThought 


 2. 27 Simple ways to check for understanding  also from TeachThought


 3. 53 ways to check for understanding from Edutopia 


So when you feel like your class is stuck, maybe give some of these a try.
Because you know we all love to see this!

The Warm Demander

In the fairy tale world Nanny Mcfee best decribes my teaching style. I wish I had her magic powers in the classroom!

In the real world the idea of a warm demander is as close as it gets to my management philosophy.

"... a teacher stance that communicates both warmth and a nonnegotiable demand for student effort and mutual respect. This stance—often called the warm demander—is central to sustaining academic engagement in high-poverty schools."

Read more in this great article by Elizabeth Bondy and Dorene D. Ross!

San Francisco Unified School District 2015-2016 SBAC Math IABs and Milestones

Here are the topics for our benchmark tests in SFUSD this year!

IAB 1: Window for administration 10/5-11/6

6th grade:
IAB: Ratio and Proportion
Milestone: Unit 6.2
7th grade:
IAB: Number System
Milestone: Unit 7.2
8th grade:
IAB: Functions
Milestone: Unit 8.3

IAB 2: Window for administration 1/4-2/12

6th grade:
IAB: Expressions and Equations
Milestone: Unit 6.5
7th grade:
IAB: Ratio and Proportion
Milestone: Unit 7.4
8th grade:
IAB: Geometry

 

The Secret to Doing it All

Every day we try to balance our lives with teaching. How many times have we taken our papers on a "field trip" home to return them untouched the next day?  How many time have we sat by ourselves for hours and hours grading and planning and creating ... then feeling a little guilty for missing out on time with family and friends?
There are always those teachers who seem to balance everything perfectly and so we tell ourselves, "I must be just doing it wrong"! So we keep tweaking and trying to find that perfect system, that perfect balance.

Sarah Cooley from First Grader ... at Last! writes about this on her blog. So let out a deep breath, give yourself a break, and read what she has to say HERE.

SBAC/ Common Core Testing Resources for ELA and Math (K -12)

1. SBAC Practice Test for Students ELA and Math all grades
The online practice test.


2. SBAC Practice Test PDF and Solutions ELA and Math all grades
Practice test questions to incorporate into your teaching!


3. SBAC Digital Library Overview
This digital library is a national collection of SBAC resources. Amazing!
You need a password from your school district's tech department.


4. SBAC Digital Library Sample Resource Overview
A PDF pf presentation slides giving clear an overview of the SBAC Digital Library


5. SBAC Digital Library Sample Resources Videos!
This gives step by step examples how the SBAC formative assessment process looks like in your classroom. Love the cartoon videos!
Video 1 - SPED 
Individual Student Assessment Accessibility Profile (ISAAP) Module
Video 2 -  Math
Pythagorean Theorem: Act On Evidence Module
Video 3 - English
Characters, Settings, and Major Events: Clarify Intended Learning Module


5. Sonoma County SBAC Resource Page
This is a good summary of SBAC resources online.


6. SBAC Interim Assessment Blocks
This breaks down each SBAC Interim assessment so teachers will know what districts will testing on throughout the year.


7. SBAC Interim Assessment Zip Files
Item and performance task specifications provide guidance on how to translate the Smarter Balanced Content Specifications into actual assessment items. In addition, guidelines for bias and sensitivity, accessibility and accommodations, and style help item developers and reviewers ensure consistency and fairness across the item bank.


8. SBAC ELA and Math Blue Prints
The Smarter Balanced summative test blueprints describe the content of the English language arts/literacy and mathematics summative assessments for grades 3–8 and high school—and how that content will be assessed.
ELA/Literacy Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment Blueprint (PDF) (DocX)
Mathematics Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment Blueprint (PDF) (DocX)

Phases of a First Year Teachers' Attitudes Towards Teaching

ALL new teachers go through phases in their first year. My first year was a MESS!  But have faith that you will get through it just fine. Remember: a successful first year is one that you finish!

New Teacher Tips

See more New Teacher Tips HERE