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Why should teachers use rubrics to assess student work? Rubrics are valuable assessment tools that provide clear and transparent expectations about what constitutes quality work. Rubrics identify specific criteria relevant to the assignment, along with corresponding levels of performance that allow for more precise grading. Using rubrics helps teachers stay focused during the grading process […]
In our book UDL and Blended Learning, Dr. Katie Novak and I encourage teachers to work toward firm, often standards-aligned, goals. We also stress the importance of providing students with flexible means. All students can make progress toward firm goals, but they may need to take different paths to get there. Some students will move […]
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In my book Blended Learning in Grades 4-12, I shared the following middle school writing rubrics with my readers. Unfortunately, the short links I provided in my book have timed out, so I wanted to share these on my blog so any middle school teachers interested in using them have access! Feel free to make […]
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In my book Blended Learning in Grades 4-12, I shared the following elementary writing rubrics with my readers. Unfortunately, the short links I provided in my book have timed out, so I wanted to share these on my blog so any elementary teachers interested in using them have access! Feel free to make a copy […]
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As students move through a lesson, some acquire information and skills more quickly than others. Some students will need additional support, scaffolds, feedback, or reteaching to understand key concepts and apply specific strategies, processes, or skills. We must collect formative assessment data in each lesson to understand our students’ progress and respond to their needs. […]
Who decided that grading and assessment should be the exclusive responsibility of teachers? Why do we sideline students when it comes to assessment? Self-assessment is a powerful strategy that encourages students to become more invested in their learning journeys. It is a process where students evaluate their work, reflecting on what they’ve learned, how well […]
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How can pulling feedback into the classroom help students develop confidence and improve their self-regulation skills? Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a teacher has to support students in achieving standards-aligned goals. Feedback also Despite the myriad benefits of focused, timely, and actionable feedback on learning, it is often neglected due to time […]
In a previous blog post and corresponding podcast, I said, “if teachers design student-centered learning experiences that allow students to write with support in class, ChatGPT won’t be nearly as disruptive as some articles claim.” In the two months since I published that post, I’ve had the opportunity to play with ChatGPT, exploring how teachers […]
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A Customized Approach to Professional Learning Just as there is learner variability when we work with students, there is variability when I work with teachers, coaches, and leaders. Every organization, school, and group of educators is different. My goal as a professional learning designer and facilitator is to customize and personalize each training session based […]
End-of-the-year assessments can be anxiety-producing events for students. These final assessments attempt to cover massive amounts of information and do not allow students the opportunity to communicate what they know in a way that works for them. Unlike a traditional exam where questions typically have one correct answer, performance tasks are complex, multifaceted, and open-ended, […]
Feedback is how students feel seen and supported. It is also how we communicate to our students that we value the process over the product. When we give feedback as students work, we signal that the work they are doing is important, and we care about their progress. Teachers want to give students timely, focused, […]
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Now, you and your PLC can learn together online at a time, place, and pace that works for you! Explore how blended learning can help you partner with students to reimagine learning and find a realistic work-life balance! In my book, Balance with Blended Learning, I invite teachers to reimagine teaching and learning by partnering […]
