Food for Thought: Shrimp Scampi and Standards-Based Grading

Alex T. ValencicBlog, Grade Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Standards-based grading is like shrimp scampi: great when done right, frustrating when done poorly. It is essential to understand what stands-based grading is if we are going to use it to make a difference. Insist on quality professional learning and ongoing support to make sure SBG is implemented with integrity. One of my wife’s favourite dishes to order whenever … Read More

Ep. 30: False Dichotomies | Catlin Tucker | More than Verbs

Tom SchimmerThe Tom Schimmer Podcast

In Don’t @ Me (2:06), Tom addresses the current obsession with false dichotomies and asserts that one in education has to stop. Then, Tom is joined by Catlin Tucker (17:05), author, speaker, leader, and expert in Blended Learning to discuss the ways teachers can efficiently and effectively implement a variety of models. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:05:45), Tom highlights why … Read More

How Can Schools Build a Roadmap for the Future?

Steven WeberBlog, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: As school teams begin to build a roadmap for the future, they should identify priority standards and learning targets. It is also important that they establish common formative assessments. The strongest instructional plan is based on the needs of the learners and the experience of professional educators.  “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get … Read More

Developing a Quality Curriculum

Steven WeberBlog, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: Develop a quality curriculum by identifying desired outcomes, unpacking the standards, identifying transfer goals, and prioritizing curriculum development. A quality curriculum can become the constant in schools, rather than a variable determined by each teacher.  When school districts commit to clarifying the curriculum, each student will have a greater chance of success as he/she enters the next grade level. … Read More

The Standards of Our Schools

Taylor ArmstrongBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better

TL;DR: The curriculum should be the product of our process and not the driver of it. Our students are the standards of our schools. We cannot begin to write a curriculum if we do not first know how to take care of those that it will impact the most. If you have been in education for more than 5 minutes, … Read More