(For some reason, if you edit a post on weebly it will publish the work the day of and not keep original date. I found some major grammatical errors... just had to fix them!! By the way, this was published around 3/10 ?)
Before my 7th graders took the ELA PARCC test.... I made a heartfelt apology to each and every single one of them. Not only do these developmentally inappropriate tests cut into valuable instruction time, but they do not accurately show student learning or growth. The level of questioning only is aimed toward higher functioning children, but even those kids are having trouble. What is ridiculous, is the level of questioning and responses my students were asked to do. The worst was Part II with the "research simulation". I am unaware to share with all of you what exactly is on PARCC because of the confidentiality form I had to sign. However, what I can tell you is that the level of questioning and response was something you would see on an ACT exam. NO JOKE!
I'm supportive of the fact that my district chooses not to use this data as apart of our evaluation. However, I am disappointed that for nearly 4-6 weeks out of the year we subject our students to this high stress test ... which really does no one any good but the creators who are benefiting from the cash that they are recieving from it. The new illinois learning standards do not bother me.... Actually, I have really enjoyed the open-ness of them. But, PARCC does bother me... I feel like we our doing a dis-service to our children by forcing them to take it. However, I strive to always try my best to prepare my students for these end of the year assessments and of course- encourage them to do the best they can do!
Well, enough of that soap box!
Here's some real learning that I was able to sneak in around PARCC.
Below are pictures of student work regarding 7th grade's paired passage "oral tradition" unit. We read "Waters of Gold" & "Ashputtle". I love to incorporate tasks that appeal to students. Fake tweets and Facebook pages are so engaging! Students had to pretend to be a character of their choice and use textual evidence to react on events from the story!
We also did some Art & Theme! :) Students created dove art and justifications w/ evidence were on the back!
6th graders worked on descriptive writing structure by describing a sock they lost while doing laundry. After writing, students evaluated each other's work and then made corrections! Below are some pictures of the activity! (I modified this from a "lost mitten" activity I found on a kindergarten website!)
8th graders have been reading urban legends and why they are so popular in oral tradition! Pictures will come of some their stories soon! One of the requirements is that they had to create a "legend" that occurred in creve coeur! They will be finishing and sharing on Monday!
Until Next time,
Ritchie