Assessment Blog

I have to say we are nearing the end of putting together the unit and looking back I have to say it has been a successful partnership. We both felt very comfortable with the roles we took on and met deadlines. After one would post additions to the unit, we would then discuss how to make it better. We wanted to have something that could be used in a classroom/school library which was appropriate for first graders.

As far as assessment and evaluation, we chose to use journals/portfolios as ongoing assessments. The journals/portfolios can be used by both the teacher and the school librarian to see which topics students are having trouble with. We are also using rubrics, think maps, and oral reports to monitor learning. As a final evaluation I created an online multiple choice quiz students will take with assistance. The questions will be read aloud and computer help will be given both by the classroom teacher and the school librarian. I thought by adding an "online" quiz, students would become aquainted with using the computer not only to gain information but to check their learning as well.

I have found that working in a first grade classroom now for 3 years, I rely heavily on portfolios, classroom discussion, and journal writing to gain a deeper understanding of what my students are struggling with and what they have mastered. I also find it very helpful to accommodate some of my students by having them verbalize the information if they are having trouble putting the information down in written form. Also drawings and pictures are another assessment tool we will continue to use throughout the unit.

We are also adding a portion where the school librarian will video record the final presentations so they can be added to the school website (a visual for the stakeholders). Their final posters will also be displayed throughout the school.

Mid-Planning

Somehow I just noticed that I missed posting my mid-planning blog and am late!! I don’t know what happened I thought I posted but somehow I didn’t. I am posting late and apologize for the mistake.

I feel like the lessons are progressing nicely. I am coming up with ideas for the classroom lesson plans and Kara is coming up with media center lessons. We have been communicating back and forth and have been giving each other ideas for both roles. We are continuing work on the butterfly life cycle unit and have approximately 5 lessons work out thus far.

As far as the school librarian role, we are going the route of support and added lessons. The School librarian will help with research and exploration of the topic. We are also thinking of having the media specialist video record the presentations. Some of the resources we are thinking of using are: video, print, online, and possible guest speakers. We are working on matching the standards with the lessons and making modifications for special groups. Overall the unit is coming along nicely!