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Standard: Determine the central idea of a text and analyze its development. Provide an objective or critical summary.

1. Based on "An Unlikely Union Spy", what is the central idea?
a. Elizabeth Van Lew is a Confederate traitor and Union hero
b. Elizabeth Van Lew is a Confederate traitor
c.Elizabeth Van Lew is a Union hero
d. Elizabeth Van Lew is neither a hero or a traitor

2. Who is Elizabeth Van Lew?
a. a confederate traitor
b. a union spy
c. both
d. none

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Due: 1/3/18
View the video and engage in productive discussion with your peers by posting and responding to your peers' comments.

How Should We Measure Student Learning?

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Opinion: Gene editing is powerful tool for good but only if used wisely

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Opinion: Gene editing is powerful tool for good but only if used wisely

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1. Read the article below.
2. Make observations during the fish bowl activity.
3. Engage in productive discussion with your peers by posting and responding to your peers' comments.

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Why Student Data Should Be Students' Data

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Why Student Data Should Be Students' Data

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Due
Read the article and engage in productive discussion with your peers by posting and responding to your peers' comments.

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I'm a data geek. I have spreadsheets for almost everything: planning my wedding, comparing car leases, optimizing where I purchase contact lenses, inventorying items when I travel, etc.

Despite my love of data, two years into working as the data integration and reporting administrator at a public school district, I had grown disenchanted with how student data was being used. When I crisscrossed the district to talk to principals and administrators about their student data, I was often met with fear, confusion, and skepticism. On more than one occasion, I had to reassure and console a principal who thought they would lose their job because of one flat or downward sloping line chart.

A Different Approach

I was yearning for a fresh perspective around how student data could be used effectively when my friend and colleague, Rupa Gupta, invited me to her school to see how her students were using their own data. I was intrigued-in my role at the district I had worked exclusively with adults when it came to analyzing data. What would be different when it came to students using their own data?

At the time, Rupa's school was experimenting with several personalized learning products, but teachers were struggling to keep track of student progress across so many platforms. The solution Rupa had come up with was to have students track their own progress in individual spreadsheets, with a master spreadsheet for the teacher that aggregated the student data.

Having students enter their own scores into a spreadsheet was intended to help teachers by gathering the data in one place for them to view and analyze. But what we observed was that the process was having a profound effect on the students: They became very interested and engaged with their own data and tracking their learning.

For example, we saw students who refused to enter scores into their spreadsheets unless they could redo an online activity-they believed they could do better. To these students, the score they were about to enter didn't reflect what they thought their true ability was, and they wanted the record set straight.

When we asked students how they were doing on their work, they were also very aware of their own performance. Students would proudly whip out an iPad or Chromebook and show me all the things they had worked on, and what they would be working on next. I would have students tell me that they had scored a 70 on an exercise the day before, and were shooting for 90 that day. These students were not only using their data to set goals for themselves, but exuding confidence in their ability to meet those goals.

Watching students track and use their data, and seeing how it changed their mindset, I came to the realization that data isn't just for adults. The opportunity to regularly own and work with their data can be transformative for students. Students who consistently track their performance are better informed about how they're doing, hold themselves accountable to do better, and seem to be more confident learners.

Access to Data Isn't a Panacea

Tracking their data alone won't guarantee that students will become confident learners, and teachers still play a critical role in that process. When a student is repeatedly unsuccessful, a teacher needs to guide them in adapting their learning strategies. When students are successful, teachers need to push them to reflect on the strategies they used to get those results.

Using data to build confident learners also doesn't happen overnight-as with anything mindset-related, it requires patience and commitment on the teacher's part. In the most effective classes I visited, teachers use data tracking as part of their weekly or biweekly classroom routine, and reserve time for students to write reflections on how they've performed. The results are worth the effort: When I surveyed students who were tracking their data, they were substantially more likely to respond that they were trying their hardest and felt in control of their learning than students in other classrooms.

One question I'm often asked is: "Given the responsibility, will students accurately track their scores?" Among the teachers I've worked with, the answer is a resounding yes. For one thing, the teacher still controls the grade book-entering and tracking data in the spreadsheet doesn't change a student's grade. And it seems that when students no longer view scores as a label bestowed upon them by a teacher, but instead see them as something they own and have control over, the urge to fudge the data dissipates. Students realize they have the power to change their scores without having to lie-through their own efforts-and what I've seen is that they step up to the challenge and thrive.

Adults may still be figuring out how to engage with student data, but students are ready to do so now. For the sake of their growth and development, let's allow students to take greater ownership of their learning, starting with their data.

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Why Student Data Should Be Students' Data

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I'm a data geek. I have spreadsheets for almost everything: planning my wedding, comparing car leases, optimizing where I purchase contact lenses, inventorying items when I travel, etc. Despite my love of data, two years into working as the data integration and reporting administrator at a public school district, I had grown disenchanted with how student data was being used.

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Opinion: Gene editing is powerful tool for good but only if used wisely

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Opinion: Gene editing is powerful tool for good but only if used wisely

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Anchor 4 : Word Meaning & Choice

Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

Anchor 8 : Arguments & Claims

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

Biology Standards

CLE 3210.4.7 Assess the scientific and ethical ramifications of emerging genetic technologies.

SPI 3210.4.9 Evaluate the scientific and ethical issues associated with gene technologies: genetic engineering, cloning, transgenic organism production, stem cell research, and DNA fingerprinting.

Anatomy Standards

CLE 3251.Inq.1 Recognize that science is a progressive endeavor that reevaluates and extends what is already accepted.

1.)    Gene therapy, which includes the correction of defectives genes, is a significant part of the human genome project. Which of these is an application of the technique?

a.       A new protein, which can repair defective genes, is injected.

b.       Mutated DNA sequences, which can pair with existing genes, are introduced.

c.       The DNA sequences of the entire genomes of disease-causing microbes are compared.

d.       A new gene, which codes for the protein that can repair defective genes, is introduced.

2.)    New technologies have been developed that enable DNA to be intentionally changed in ways that do not occur under natural conditions. What would be a specific benefit as a result of using this new technology?

a.       The creation of a super race of humans

b.       A disease in recessive form could be introduced

c.       Genetic diversity could be reduced

d.       Healing the sick and eliminating awful disorders

3.)     If we are able to save future generations from illnesses through gene editing, what would be a realistic disadvantage upon using this technology?

a.      A super human race could be created.

b.      Genetic diversity could be reduced.

c.       The world would end suddenly due to over-population.

d.      Genetic diversity could be increased.

4.)    Who do you think should not be able to engineer the better baby?

a.       Infertile couples

b.       Poor people with sick children

c.       Rich people who want super children

d.       No one should be able to engineer a better baby

READING STANDARDS: Craft and Structure – Standard #5 R.CS.5

11-12.RI.CS.5 Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her own exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

READING STANDARDS: Craft and Structure – Standard #6 R.CS.6

11-12.RI.CS.6 Determine an author’s point of view and/or purpose in a text, analyzing how style and content contribute to its effectiveness.

Questions to answer:
1. Arthur Caplan’s purpose in this article is

A. To raise awareness about the progress being made regarding human genetic modification.

B. To argue that debating the issue is a waste of time, and we should focus on how to respond to the inevitable changes that are approaching.

C.To make the public aware of the concerns that the practice is unsafe and unfair, and it could be used to for unintended purposes.

D.To clarify the disparities between economic classes in education and health care.

2. Caplan’s use of “essentially a very sharp molecular knife” is an example of

A. Hyperbole.

B. Metaphor.

C. Simile

D. Juxtaposition.

3. Caplan’s structure is primarily

A. Deductive reasoning that leads the reader to the only possible solution.

B. Inductive reasoning that starts with genetic engineering and leads the reader to conclusions about a wide range of topics including health care, education, and economics.

C. Prioritized exemplification that moves from most important to least important concerns.

D. A pattern of refutation/concession through which Caplan acknowledges then disputes the leading arguments against human genetic engineering.

4. Which evidence is the best example of Caplan’s structure?

A. Likewise, as valid an ethical concern as fairness may be, it has never held back the advancement of technology.

B.The world is plagued with hereditary diseases that cause real misery.

C.The same technology that can be used to eliminate hereditary diseases can undoubtedly be used to try to build genetically enhanced children.

D.Yes, the benefits of CRISPR are likely to be made available through private, profit-seeking companies, giving the rich far better access to technology than the poor.

E. (A and D)

F. (B and C)

G. (A and C)

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Newsela | Opinion: We can - and should - engineer a better baby but set limits

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Write any questions you might have about tasks and standards here. Respond to your peers' questions.

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Write any questions you might have about Newsela. Respond to your peers' questions.

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How could you use tools such as Newsela or padlet in your classroom to increase student achievement?

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Use the Costa's graphic below to assist you in writing appropriate level questions.

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Review the following three Avid graphic organizers. How could you use these tools to help implement the standards and increase rigor in your classes?

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Due: 1/4/18
Click below and complete the required fields.

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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Due: 01/04/2018

After watching the video answer the following questions.

1. What is Newsela?

2. How could Newsela benefit your students?

3. What are some pros / cons of Newsela?