Focus on the Focus Blog Series Overview

Kari PitstickBlog, Grade Better, Mastery Done Better

Focus on the Focus Blog Series Overview The Focus on the Focus Blog Series offers grading, assessment, and feedback support for educators! Learn more about purposeful student conferencing and refocusing your assessments with student understanding in mind. In addition, get simple tips to improve your grading practices! Posts in the Series Student Conferencing with a Focus on the Focus (Video Blog) … Read More

Focus on Improving Your Grading Practices

Andrea KalchbennerBlog, Grade Better, Mastery Done Better

TL;DR: Focus on improving your grading practices by cutting the fluff, grading what matters, eradicating participation and completion points, and allowing redos. Avoid taking points off for late work. Use formative assessments to guide student progress and include students in the assessment process. Have you ever had a parent ask you why their child is passing your class but failing … Read More

Refocus Your Assessment: Grading and Feedback for Understanding

Teach Better TeamBlog, Grade Better, Mastery Done Better

TL;DR: It is time to refocus your assessment and consider grading and feedback for understanding. Make sure students know what the learning goal is and what they are working toward. Ensure feedback is specific, useful, and given in a timely manner. Consider the following feedback structure: Where are you in your proficiency? Why are you there? What are your next … Read More

Student Conferencing with a Focus on the Focus

Dave SchmittouBlog, Grade Better, Lesson Plan Better, Video(s)

Student Conferencing with a Focus on the Focus  Video Highlights: Use “we” instead of “you” during student conferences. Celebrate growth rather than “got it” moments. When it comes to student conferencing, don’t judge, just support. See the full series here! [scroll down to keep reading] About Dave Schmittou Entering his twenty-first year in education, Dave has earned a reputation … Read More

3 Tips for High Quality Student Conferences

Lindsay LyonsBlog, Differentiate Better, Grade Better, Lesson Plan Better, Mastery Done Better

TL;DR: Make student conferences a part of your unit arc. Give high quality feedback outside of your conferences. Invite students to lead and give them ownership in conversations about their grade. These tips can support the regularity, efficiency and effectiveness, and student ownership of conferences. For the last half of my teaching career, weekly student conferencing has been a staple … Read More