Mrs. L's Blog
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Ideas for Celebrating Student Success
In this post, we will examine Element 3 in Domain 1, which is all about ‘Celebrating Student Success.’ Below, you will find practical explanations of what is expected of you, and also a handy list of ways, that are both teacher and student-friendly, to celebrate student success. This is kind of a fun area of the Marzano platform to explore because, well, who doesn’t like celebrating and being recognized for a job well done!? After you’ve had a chance to look at the information below, let your imagination run wild
Proficiency Scales Simplify Differentiation in Elementary Classrooms
What are your beliefs about differentiation?
When you look at the diversity in your classroom, does it seem possible to reach every student? What if differentiation was just based on a naturally logical path of learning?
Start with background knowledge and end with opportunities for in-depth application.
I like to call this vertical differentiation. This means that students are working on the same topic or standard, at different levels of cognitive difficulty. If you are familiar with Blooms or Marzano Taxonomy of Higher Order Thinking skills, then you already have an idea of vertical differentiation.
Black History Month Biography Research Project
Some kids have a clear idea of what kind of future they're working towards, and others may not have any good ideas, or any good examples of happy and successful adults in their lives. Helping kids connect with and claim a Hero can define their vision for the future...
Classroom Art and Science Activity for Halloween
Halloween is such a fun time to do special projects in your classroom. I am not one for wasting classroom time. I LOVE to find hands-on activities that integrate curriculum content! This idea combines the physical science concepts of light and shadows, with and an...
Proficiency Scales for Language Development Goals – Spanish Immersion, ESL, ELL
Can Proficiency Scales work outside of core subject matter? Yes! One of the Phoenix schools I worked with adapted scales to their special circumstances, their Spanish Immersion program. Think ESL, ELL. Together we brainstormed a few ideas during our professional development session. Read on to see what we came up with!
Assessment that Saves Classroom Time
Do you feel like WAY too much of your classroom time is spent completing standardized assessments? What if it were possible to develop an assessment that saves classroom time instead? Seriously! Read on to see the simple two-page leveled assessments that I’ve used to...
3 Easy Ways to Differentiate Vocabulary Practice
If you work with Higher Order Thinking skills (Marzano or Bloom's Taxonomy), you know that vocabulary mastery is more than memorizing definitions. Our goal is for kids to comprehend and apply vocabulary in the right contexts. Demonstrating GROWTH in vocabulary mastery...
Ultimate Growth Mindset Tool for Standards Based Grading
Standards Based Grading is the Ultimate Growth Mindset Tool! A simple shift in focus. Students track mastery in the standards, instead of earning points toward a subject grade. Students are assessed according to their level of PROFICIENCY. Standards Based Grading can be more helpful in targeting student strengths and weaknesses. Teachers are able to plan more specifically, i.e. “DIFFERENTIATE”, to support students level of understanding. It gives teachers the feedback they need to modify instruction. It also tells students exactly what to work on next!
Rubrics verses Proficiency Scales
s the difference between a Rubric and a Proficiency Scale? In the examples below I’m going to share with you how each classroom tool can vary in structure and purpose. A rubric can look like a four-point scale with one crucial difference; a proficiency scale is focused on one learning objective. A rubric often includes a variety of skills that are related to different standards. Let’s look at some examples for elementary and middle school language arts and writing!
