https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6 en-us 2018-01-21 14:51:29 UTC 2018-05-26 13:40:50 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lovecoffee.png teressa_penny https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263782631 My PLC used long common formative assessments througout the year, but we decided to create shorter mini assessment/practice passages this year. In addition, we also used the released test on DPI.. The students liked the shorter passages for practice. ]]> 2018-05-26 12:51:24 UTC https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263782631 teressa_penny https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263782869 For this review time, I wanted to try to avoid burn out for the students and myself. I selected this novel as a tool to use to review ficitional elements. The novel is an easy read, and one that students relate to easily. Because it is historical fiction, the novel provides an excellect opportunity to also include nonfiction text into our study. The time period coincided with the SS content as well. 
One more note: the students read this novel on their own in the classroom, silently-as they are expected to do on the EOG. My thinking here was to physically (in a small way) and "psychologically" prepare them for the silence they will "hear" as they read the EOG. They have spent most days engaged with their peers to learn material; I felt that it might be poor   practice to use those cooperative learing stategies right up until the EOG and then suddenly "slam on breaks" to work alone. 
Also, I put their work on Canvas; this has given me the chance to help or work with students individually or in small groups, when needed. When the students left yesterday, I think we all were ready for a break, but I don;t think any of us felt stressed, which is the way I have felt every year at this time. My plan may not increase scores, but perhaps my students will approach the test in a more relaxed and confident manner.  ]]> 2018-05-26 12:55:31 UTC https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263782869 teressa_penny https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263783846 Part of the reason I chose to not go full review every day for a month is because each team had to create a mastery rotation in order to review for the EOG. Mastery is 30 minutes long which is just long enough to do mini lessons. I searched for and purchased some ready made lesson off of TPT. These lessons have been very useful. They are short (3 days), include reading, writing, and "games" such as matching and cherades. I will use these again. ]]> 2018-05-26 13:12:48 UTC https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263783846 teressa_penny https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263784477 I am pleased with the decision to use short practice passesages from SchoolNet, and I am pleased with the mini lessons. The only thing I will change for next year is I plan to start the novel a little earlier so that I can incorporate a writing assignment or some other culiminating activity. ]]> 2018-05-26 13:25:21 UTC https://padlet.com/teressa_penny/d3n89txprmg6/wish/263784477