Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Standards and Assessment

According to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) (2012), teachers must use their knowledge of pedagogy, standards, and best practices as it relates to assessment. They must have a deep understanding of both formative and summative assessment and know the appropriate times for each. Accomplished teachers use various forms of assessment in order to get a clear picture of the whole child. Georgia has been through numerous standards changes over the years. At one time we had adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in 2012 (Georgia Department of Education, 2019). Those were later changed to the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). In actuality, if you study the differences between the two different standards, there were only about seven words changed between the CCSS and the GSE. Those changes were originally made to the ELA and Math standards around 2015. Social Studies and Science updates, which are not covered by the CCSS, were made later.
Upon investigation of the standards, I am often reminded that we have “pushed down” the standards so that we now consider Kindergarten the new 1st grade. Often, in my experience, we are facing the use of inappropriate practices as we look at younger children. We do not allow them to progress at their own pace, nor do we allow them to learn appropriately through play. These used to be the norm and now those ideas have been replaced by the unrealistic push toward assessment of young children. As suggested by the NBPST, teachers are responsible for the education and assessment of young children, yet we are not considered so by administrators and stakeholders. They often tend to make decisions without the advisement of those that actually spend time in a title I, high poverty classroom where many students arrive at school without having held a pencil or owning a book. Those students are not prepared or ready to arrive at school and are often forced into emotional situations taking assessments that are not appropriate for their developmental level. 
In order to address the inconsistency of the state standards and to provide a developmentally appropriate approach, I would suggest that we do several things. One suggestion is to assign leading educators that are knowledgeable about child development to a committee that assesses the standards. I would also suggest that those educators develop a set of national standards that actually allows for the implementation of the strengths identified in many state standards. Finally, I would give classroom teachers the ability and trust to judge the necessary assessments needed with their own students with a specific growth measure that would monitor the teacher’s effectiveness instead of basing that on a standard assessment that does not account for disabilities, modifications, or needed accommodations. 
The questions that I would pose to guests are:
1.     We are instructed to differentiate for personalized learning within the classroom. Should assessments be differentiated based on student-level or standardized? 
2.     If differentiated, how will we account for “mastery” of the standards that must be met in order to move to the next grade level?
3.     Who should determine whether to differentiate or standardize assessments? 

References
Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes. (2016). State-by-state. Retrieved from 
http://ceelo.org/state-information/state-map/
Georgia Department of Education (2019). Review of common core Georgia performance standards. Retrieved from https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Pages/default.aspx
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). (2012). Early childhood 
            generalist standards (3rd ed.). Retrieved from            
            http://boardcertifiedteachers.org/sites/default/files/EC-GEN.pdf

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Science for the Littles!


I absolutely {heart} sharing Science with my Littles. It is probably one of my favorite things to teach.  In honor of one of my favorite Mad Science experiments, I am offering you a chance to share Science with your Littles! One of our favorite mini-units to study is solids and liquids.  (It also helps that we don't mind a bit of a mess!)

Based on Bartholomew and the Oobleck, this mini-unit is so FUN! Since it is so engaging, the Littles learn so much and I am able to tie in all of the subjects which is definitely a win in my book!

First, we read Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss and make predictions (Hello Reading!) We discuss being respectful of nature and the King's character traits (Hello Social Studies!).
Then, we watch a great video about non-Newtonian matter! (Hello Science!) The link to this is included in the packet for you:


We make the Oobleck using our measuring cups (Hello Math!) and recipe:

 

And we use our five senses to observe our Oobleck and record our observations (Hello writing!):

 







Since it is a mini-unit, we complete these activities in the course of a day.
Be sure to snag your copy of this Mad Science unit in my brand new Educents store:
I {heart} the Littles


Monday, March 9, 2015

The Truth and Nothing but the Truth!

I am so excited to link up with The Kindergarten Connection for this great idea!
Be sure to check out her blog next!

http://www.thekindergartenconnection.com/2015/03/the-truth-about-teaching-kindergarten.html

I hear it all the time when I tell people what I do...
"Oh, that sounds fun!"
"They are so sweet at that age!"
"Oh boy, you didn't want to teach a REAL grade?"
and that dreaded comment concerning "playing all day" that I refuse to discuss.

And I smile and say, "Oh, I LOVE it!"... umm, if you know me at all, you know that is exactly NOT what I say to people... I give them a piece of my mind of course! But, for this post, I'll just give it to ya like it is...


"Oh, that sounds fun!"

Well actually it is... for the most part. I absolutely love teaching the littles! They are fun, amazing little humans that absorb my every word like a sponge. They think I am smart, funny, beautiful, and the best teacher that ever lived! So, you can see why I love them so much right? I love teaching them to read, write, add, subtract, solve word problems, measure, count, what gravity does, animal facts, plant facts, all of the national holidays, all of the national symbols, how to complete research, how to use text evidence... WHAT??? You didn't know that I taught all that? Doesn't sound so "fun" anymore, does it? I like to explain it like this... Kindergarten today is what the END of First grade was when you were in school. Don't feel bad... you didn't know... I forgive you.



"They are so sweet at that age!"

Well, I'm just gonna say it... nope, not all of them. I wish I could say they are. Really, I do. But, it just isn't so. They all have those moments that make me go, "Gosh, I love this kid." and then they have those moments that me go, "Gosh, I really wish it was 2:30 and you could go home!" They are FIVE people... FIVE! That's only one hand of "this many"! They yell, they cry, they throw tantrums. Sometimes, they throw STUFF! Sometimes they hug me and tell me I am the bestest teacher ever and then throw a pencil across the room with the hand that is behind my back giving me a hug! So, yes, they are very sweet...sometimes! I cherish those sweet moments and I let those other moments go and we move on! I have the patience of a saint, all Kindergarten teachers do. That's not bragging, it's just a fact.



"Oh boy, you didn't want to teach a REAL grade?"

Well yes, yes I did, but they were all taken by those REAL teachers. Seriously? This probably makes me madder than that "play" question that I refuse to discuss. Remember #1... all that "stuff" I teach? Well, I teach all those things to those kids that aren't so sweet sometimes. I also teach them character, respect, how to write a note to a friend, how to tie their shoes, how to open their milk, how to blow their nose, to be responsible for themselves, compassion, empathy and many more things that I won't bore you with. I teach the littles that they can be anything in the world and that I love and believe in them completely. Sometimes that is more important than teaching a REAL grade.


And, to sum it all up: I don't teach subjects, I don't teach standards, I don't teach concepts. I teach children... sometimes (sigh)






Monday, February 2, 2015

100th Day Celebration!





So, we are 100 days smarter! That's what my calendar says anyway! We had a great time celebrating the 100th day of school last week! You can click on the pictures of the packs we used from various TpT stores and go directly to them!
First, the Littles entered through a curtain of fringe (aka cut butcher paper) and started journal writing with the prompt: I want 100 ____.  They had some interesting answers- candy, trains, cars, swim suits!!

Next the Littles practiced counting to 100 with our daily calendar routine.  You can find the SMARTboard calendar that we use at A Teacher's Touch. This calendar is designed by a teacher in my district and it is great for building skills throughout the year.  Make sure you check the video links, because you may need to link them to YouTube if you don't have the same videos downloaded.

We read a story... 100th Day Worries (you can find it and other suggestions in my Amazon Carousal in my sidebar over there on the right).  We then worked on our 100th day crowns! Did I mention we love anything we can wear on our heads? Those things, over the past year, may have included crowns, sentence strip hats, sight words, math cards, bag of books... let's just leave it at we LOVE things on our head. Here is where we got our lovely crowns from:


 
100th Day Hooray!!

After lunch, the Littles got a chance to practice tracing their numbers to 100.   After all of that practice they counted and colored 100 dots on the number 100 coloring sheet.  What is it with the Littles and their obsession love of coloring dots?!? Here is tracing numbers to 100:

100 Days Follower FREEBIE!!!

Next, I had the students look at pictures of old people senior citizens and we filled out the chart in the 100th day pack from Dragonflies In First .  I had already prepared their 100 year old pictures using the android app called Make Me Old. They wrote using the writing template in this pack:


When I'm 100 - 100th Day Writing Activity

Later we read another 100th day book (again, check the Amazon Carousal on the right) and set out to count our 100th day snack! We sorted each snack we found in our snack bag and counted them... and guess what?? There were 10 snacks with 10 of each one! WoW, that teacher 100th day snack fairy sure was smart! So, we practiced counting by 10's and packed up our snack to take home!

100th Day of School Sorting Mats

So, that's how we spent our 100th day of school! It was a great day and lots of fun! I hope you find these ideas and resources useful. If you choose to use some of these resources, please leave these wonderful teachers some feedback! 

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Second Post...Ever!

So, this is like my second post...EVER! Aren't you excited? When I started this great blogging adventure a few weeks ago I had such high aspirations. I still have those high hopes (such high hopes... in my best sing song-y voice, of course!) but also realize that I have this hugely overwhelming slight obstacle called life that will occasionally get in the way! So, I decided to link up for this post because, well, why not? Sounds like fun to me!

 
So, here's the run down:
Currently:
listening: to a fussy grandbaby! I have a new grandbaby who is 2 1/2 months old! (remember the comment above about the interference of life?) Fred (name changed to protect the innocent. Ha!) is the best little baby ever! Except today he is a tad fussy... But look at this face... who wouldn't love this face?
 
loving: that Grey's Anatomy is in the DVR. This brings me to a huge dilemma... watch Grey's or do homework...watch Grey's or do homework...
 
thinking: about all the workstations I need to change in my classroom for the new month! With our new curriculums in Math AND Reading this year, my workstations don't exactly "fit" the themes of the month. We may or may not have worked on Leprechaun Place Value last month. My argument is that Littles don't care if there is a Leprechaun or Santa on a workstation as long as it is fun... right? Who's with me??
 


wanting: LUNCH! now I'm trying to figure out who I can bribe to bring me some satis-fries from Burger King!

needing: to do my homework. I am in school for my Master's in Early Childhood.  This semester is proving harder than I imagined.  I have so much homework! It is overwhelming and I need to get a handle on organizing my materials... right after I watch Grey's Anatomy and eat some satis-fries. Which brings us straight to...

pageant title: Princess Procrastinator. If you have read this far, you totally get this without any further explanation!

Well, that's it! I'm glad you stopped by and hope you will follow me as I am beginning this blogging adventure. I promise there is more to come!

Follow the fun at:
http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/01/currently-february.html

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Let's Talk About It: BUILD & enVision

Around Christmas break time, I decided that I should try this whole blogging/Teachers Pay Teachers thing.  I mean, think about it... I have all this extra time on my hands! What with teaching, working on my Master's degree, a new grandbaby... you see where this is going, right? Yep, I'm an overachieving Kindergarten teacher who is a bunch tad bit crazy!

Well, about a week and a half ago I gave a presentation to teachers in my district about the success I have had incorporating enVision Math in my Kindergarten classroom! I was very nervous flattered! Now, people...we have reached the last half of the school year and school districts all over are studying and investigating all sorts of new curriculum. And, I'm just going to tell you... this enVision math is new to us this year. We got a new Math AND a new Reading curriculum this year! So, I am plugging along just like everyone else, but I have discovered a few things that are working for me, so...

I set out to present an awesome presentation in, oh, let's say 10-15 minutes. I figured I could handle it, right?? I'm an awesome teacher after all, right?? I have about 20 little people tell me that all the time! And... I did it! It was great! People seemed to enjoy it! Then I went back to my littles and smiled because they are the reason I teach, not those other teachers, not the school district and then I couldn't remember why I was ever nervous in the first place?

If you are one of those people struggling to work within enVision or investigating the curriculum in your district or maybe just looking for work station ideas, I thought I would use my very first blog post to show you my presentation and answer any questions you may have about enVision, BUILD, or differentiation. 















  















 If you like the wonderful graphics you see in my presentation, you can find them here:
Collaboration Cuties

Sonya DEHART

First Grade Fancy Graphics