Category Archives: Health & Wellness

Learning > Grades

How to Help Students focus on What They’re Learning, Not the Grade Article by Sarah Schroeder Full article: edutopia LINK

There are a lot of gems in this article to think about during planning, grading, prior to PLCs and especially prior to conversations that teachers have with parents. While I feel it’s great to have these conversations with students & teachers emphasizing the article’s key points, often times how we understand grades carries over from the expectations families have for their children as well. Spread the word and help alleviate the unnecessary stress that’s placed around grades and scores.

“…take the focus off what students are expected to produce and place it on the act of learning, or the process.”

3 reasons to focus on process over product (1) reduce stress & anxiety; (2) develop expert learners; (3) measure what matters

(1) Promote a sense of belonging, support and collaboration

(2) Have clear, simple expectations

(3) Encourage manageable, realistic learner goal setting

(4) Connect learning and assessment to meaningful life experiences

(5) Offer choice and autonomy to avoid a “narrow view of smart”

(6) Offer multiple attempts and revisions/resubmissions

“Start by avoiding a sense of finality in grading. As student (and educator) mental health becomes a priority, find ways to increase flexibility, support, and an attitude of continuous improvement.”

Expert learners have purpose, feel motivated, are resourceful, knowledgeable, and are strategic and goal-directed.

“To support expert learning, we need to increase opportunities for step-by-step goal setting and reflection.”

Grades should be a part of the discussion, not THE discussion.

In the article see the bulleted list that provides ideas on what the process involves when it comes to learning. What’s your favorite one? I like “using quick collection (i.e. Google Forms, quick writes, and other formative assessments) that emphasizes the importance of learners identifying their strengths and gapes for goal setting.”

This article provides many resources to develop expert learners including edoprotocols.com, The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies, and peardeck.com.

“Grades have never served students well; they don’t show a student’s ability to think, write, and problem-solve. They just show which kids have the luxury of finishing their homework at home or on time.” – Mariela Tyler

Student -+ #pandemicED

We’re living in a pandemic. In preparation for the challenges ahead, it’s important to stay informed with those that are attempting to keep society informed for how we’re going to get through this difficult time. Below is a post I noticed through the El Paso American Federation of Teachers. #pandemicED will now become a category on this blog. This isn’t going away anytime soon. My thoughts are with our community and all communities around the world impacted by this time in our lives. As they say in 2020, stay safe if you can and stay strong if  you’re touched by this virus. Peace.

cdc.gov.coronavirus

facebook.com/ElPasoFed

City Expands COVID-19 Testing

We might be on summer school but things are getting realer in our community as it relates to the pandemic and the spread of COVID-19. As teachers we continue to receive information regarding resources that are available to members of our community. Here are some notes from an email recently distributed regarding testing and signs to check regarding COVID-19. Please learn to adapt and find healthy ways to maintain during this time families! Information is critical right now!

“The Office of Emergency Management have been working with the Office of the Texas Governor and the Texas Department of Emergency Management to mobilize mobile testing teams increasing access to COVID-19 testing.

Since early April, testing through the Department of Public Health and private labs has increased approximately 32 percent. The Rapid Response Team and the City worked quickly to stand up the mobile sites within neighborhoods to help make testing more accessible for members of the public with symptoms that may have not been able to get to other testing sites.

The testing locations are drive-thru and by appointment only. Citizens are asked to make an appointment 24 hours prior to the testing date either online at txcovidtest.org or by calling 512-883-2400.

Testing is free and available to members of the community with symptoms of COVID-19 and those in high-risk groups.

The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, chills, cough, fatigue, body aches, muscle or joint pain, shortness of breath, sore throat, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nasal congestion, and loss of taste and/or smell. If residents do not call or register for an appointment, they can still show up at the site and will be instructed to either register on their phone or call the number to schedule accordingly.”

For more information, visit epstrong.org.

Health Tips Schoolwork @ Home

Simple but very important tip to remember at this time. Encourage each other, especially our students. If you’re at home, do so in a way that’s a part of a routine and not a command. Engage family in this routine. Use the yard, sidewalk (park, when open) to change the scene. Sharing this to encourage myself as much as others especially as the hours pick up online…Stay as healthy as you can and encourage those you’re living with to do so as well. Whether you’re doing it now or not, if you’re like me and need that reminder or that motivation to be more deliberate about staying active during the course of the day, do so sincerely!