What I'm Reading Right Now
Like any true teacher nerd, I have spent some time looking over Hattie's ranking, and my current obsession, formative assessment, is ranked number 4. That means that on my nightstand next to my highlighter and my post-it flags, you will find these books.
Here's a highlight:
"Probably the most accurate marker of classrooms where learning targets and criteria are shared effectively is that students can explain, when asked, what it is that they are supposed to do, and why"
High-engagement classroom environments appear to have a significant impact on student achievement...so when teachers allow students to choose whether to participate or not - for example, by allowing them to raise their hands to show they have an answer - the are actually making the achievement gap worse, because those who are participating are getting smarter, while those avoiding the engagement are forgoing the opportunities to increase their ability. That is why many teachers now employ a rule of 'no hands up except to ask a question' in their classrooms."
Another way the author suggests to increase engagement is using all-student response systems. My school is a BYOT school, and when I was in 5th grade, we used
on our devices. With my little guys, I don't have as many devices, so we go old school. A few years ago I had a shower board cut into 5x6 mini whiteboards, and viola,
Instant feedback!
Let's just say the Home Depot guy may or may not have been super excited about my student response system for formative assessment...
