Recently, I watched an inspiring TED Talk by veteran teacher Rita Pierson. In it, she describes how she once gave a test to a struggling learner who scored abysmally. Out of 20 questions, he got 18 wrong. Rather than write minus 18 on his paper, she put +2. When the student came to her and [...]
Any Teacher a Master Teacher?
May 10, 2013
Recently, I watched an inspiring TED Talk by veteran teacher Rita Pierson. In it, she describes how she once gave a test to a struggling learner who scored abysmally. Out of 20 questions, he got 18 wrong. Rather than write minus 18 on his paper, she put +2. When the student came to her and [...]
Student Engagement Part II
May 7, 2013
I recently caught up with my dear friend and colleague Allison Zumuda at the ASCD Annual Conference. We got to talking about student engagement. Everyone says that they want to see more students actively engaged in their learning but few teachers or administrators really understand what true student engagement is or what it looks like. [...]
Five Myths About Student Engagement
April 11, 2013
I’ve been hearing a lot lately about student engagement. Everyone it seems, believes that it’s the key to, well, just about everything. If students aren’t engaged, they argue, then they cannot learn. I tend to agree… to a point. Student engagement is very important, yes, but I am not sure that we’re all that clear [...]
Student Engagement Part I
April 11, 2013
I recently caught up with my dear friend and colleague Allison Zumuda at the ASCD Annual Conference. We got to talking about student engagement. Everyone says that they want to see more students actively engaged in their learning but few teachers or administrators really understand what true student engagement is or what it looks like. [...]
Testing Terms: Defend
March 22, 2013
Today’s word is DEFEND: Definition: To support the stated idea. Students may be asked to … Defend a particular position. Formulate their own position and then defend it. To attack this question students must use the following to demonstrate that an idea is true, reasonable, or valid: Information from the prompt Facts Their [...]
Testing Terms: Interpret
March 21, 2013
Today’s word is INTERPRET: Definition: To present the subject in understandable terms. Students may be asked to interpret … diagrams graphs statistical tables literature documents illustrations pictures charts To attack this question students must: Determine what the item presented is trying to convey Use elements of the item provided Support their interpretation Our [...]
Testing Terms: Synthesize
March 20, 2013
Today’s word is SYNTHESIZE: Definition: To combine parts into a whole. To take several sources of information and combine them to draw a single conclusion or make a single point. Students may be asked to synthesize … a set of data. several primary documents. several passages. To attack this question students must… Sort [...]
Testing Terms: Illustrate
March 19, 2013
Today’s word is Illustrate: Definition: To make something clear by giving examples, using comparisons, using anecdotes, or using analogies. Students may be asked to illustrate … A Particular Concept. An Idea. A Theory. Students can use examples from their real lives, from history, from literature, and from incidents that they know about or [...]
Testing Terms: Identify
March 18, 2013
Today’s word is IDENTIFY: Definition: To give the essential characteristics of something. Students may be asked to … Point out a key element in literature such as “tone” or “point of view”. Point out a particular trend in history or science. Point out a correct answer in mathematics. Give a brief definition or [...]
