Assessment: Making the Grade - vinta-bctf.ca · Assessment: Making the Grade District Professional Development Day Friday, February 21, 2014 North Island Secondary School Please bring

Vancouver Island North Teachers’ Association

Presents:

Assessment: Making the Grade

District Professional Development Day Friday, February 21, 2014

North Island Secondary School

Please bring a dry good or cash donation for the Harvest Food Bank

(tax deductible receipts will be issued for donations of $25 or more)

PLEASE BRING A MUG FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE

Go to the last page for Registration Form.

Page 2 of 21 published: Feb 12 2014 VINTA District Pro-D Day Feb 21 2014

Schedule 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Registration

Coffee, Muffins & Networking

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Anne Davies – Keynote Address:

‘Using Assessment in the Service of Learning’

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM

Workshops – AM Session &

Professional Book Sharing Bring Your Professional

Resource to Discuss

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Workshops – PM Session

Notice:

Some people who will attend this event have reported sensitivities to various fragrance or scented products. We ask for everyone's cooperation in our efforts to accommodate their health concerns. Let’s make this event Scent-‐Free.


Acknowledgements

The VINTA Professional Development Committee and SD #85 are pleased to host this day for you.

Thank you to the NISS 2014 Grad Committee for its assistance on February 21, 2014.

We would like to thank the staff and students of North Island Secondary School for allowing us the opportunity

to use their school today.

The following groups will have displays and books to purchase:

• SD 85 Resource Centre • Coho Books

•


Workshops at a Glance

Morning 10:15 to 11:45 AM

1. Professional Book Sharing – Facilitated Bring Your Professional Materials to Share and Discuss

2. Anne Davies Secondary: A Fresh Look at Grading and Reporting in Secondary Classrooms

3. Action Schools! BC – Anne So Circuits and Stations

4. Kelly Amodeo and Tanya Carlson RTI Strategies

5. Amanda Kiatipis Formative Assessment (Primary Focus)

6. SD42 Maple Ridge – Michael Saul & Julie Hearn New Reporting Model in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows -‐ Ungraded Assessment


AFTERNOON 1:00 to 2:30 PM

7. Alana Check

First Steps in Math

8. Nimfa Casson Differentiation: A Response to Learners' Needs Gr. 6 -‐ 12

9. Action Schools! BC – Anne So Fundamental Movement Skills

10. Anne Davies Evidence of Learning and 21 Century Learning

11. Kevin Ogren Using Magic in the Classroom

12. Sean Barfoot & Luisa Richardson Outdoor Education – Introducing WildBC

13. SD42 Maple Ridge – Julie Hearn & Michael Saul Authentic Assessment Stories in Maple Ridge &

Pitt Meadows -‐ Ungraded Assessment 14. April Lowe -‐ BCTF

Assessment for Learning


Keynote Address 9:00 to 10:00 AM

Using Assessment in the Service of Learning With Anne Davies, Ph. D. Description: Student learning and achievement are enhanced when assessment is used in the service of learning from kindergarten to post-‐secondary. Research is clear. What teachers do makes a difference. What counts? Clear criteria along with “gobs and gobs” of specific, descriptive feedback makes a huge difference. How can teachers and leaders help make this a reality? Come and learn about a process of co-‐constructing criteria that leads to increased learning and engagement. Identify ways to make self-‐ and peer assessment a powerful use of time, rather than just ‘busy work.’ And, explore some ways to give specific, descriptive feedback without marks or grades while still providing the kind of information students (and their parents) want and need whether you are teaching in a single grade or multi-‐grade classroom setting. Outcomes: We will…

• Consider ways to co-‐construct criteria with different starting points • Consider practical ways to engage learners in self-‐ and peer

assessment that supports learning (and doesn’t waste valuable time) • Consider ways to give feedback without marks or grades while

involving all learners in the assessment process

Digital Materials: Excerpt from Making Classroom Assessment Work (3rd Ed) by Anne Davies – to access digital copies go to this link and then get the Click to Look Inside excerpt from the book. French Digital Materials: Excerpt from Établir et utiliser des critères by K. Gregory, Anne Davies and C. Cameron – to access digital copies go to this link and then get the Click to Look Inside excerpt from the book.

http://connect2learning.com/making-classroom-assessment-work-3rd-edition

http://connect2learning.com/classroom-assessment/%C3%A9tablir-et-utiliser-des-crit%C3%A8res/


Workshops In-Depth

MORNING 10:15 to 11:45 AM

1. Professional Book Sharing -‐ Facilitated Bring Your Professional Materials to Share and Discuss

Facilitators will help feature books and bring ideas forward for group discussion.

This workshop is a forum to share and discuss your insights on the books you have read through the Professional Reading Incentive program. Bring your book and enjoy a lively discussion. This session is also open for those that have not purchased a book yet, but would like to get some great suggestions for reading. Coho Books and The Book Nook will have books available for purchase -‐ you can use your $40 Professional Incentive there if you have not done so yet! There will also be a draw for a $40 gift certificate redeemable at the booksellers for members that bring something to share.


2. Anne Davies Secondary: A Fresh Look at Grading and Reporting in

Secondary Classrooms Author, consultant, and researcher, Anne Davies, Ph.D., applies her expert knowledge of developing quality classroom assessment practices toward her mission to "increase the possibility of learning for all our students." Educators at every grade level throughout Canada, the United States, and other countries have benefitted from the high-‐touch support she provides during professional development events and multi-‐year projects. Anne has been commissioned to consult with, among others, Ministries of Education in Singapore, Norway, and New Zealand. With more than 30 years' experience in education, Anne has demonstrated her skills in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, school district coordinator, ministry of education planner, school administrator, and university instructor. She earned her doctorate in education from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Among the many books and resources Anne has authored and co-‐authored is the bestseller, Making Classroom Assessment Work, as well as Knowing What Counts, a three-‐book series that offers practical ways to involve students in their own assessment (both available through connect2learning). In addition, she has written chapters and articles for educational journals and publications worldwide, and developed numerous multimedia resources including, The Facilitator's Guide to Classroom Assessment K-‐12. Her most recent projects include two books for high school teachers, Quality Assessment in High Schools: Accounts From Teachers and A Fresh Look at Grading and Reporting in High Schools. A world-‐renowned keynote presenter and professional development consultant, Anne's genuine care and commitment to support educators and their important work make her an approachable and insightful specialist.

In this session Anne Davies will describe, step-‐by-‐step, how you can effectively work towards a powerful, practical, and informed standards-‐based grading and reporting process by providing an overview of the essential components of evaluation that both model and mirror effective …continued


practice: • Preparing for learning, teaching, and assessment • Engaging students in assessment in support of their learning • Reporting the learning to others

To do this Anne will provide: • Strategies teachers can use as they plan, implement, and reflect. • Examples from across subject areas and disciplines (e.g., biology,

mathematics, arts, social studies, English, and others). This refreshing look at grading and reporting arises from DOING this important work with high schools and systems across North America. Outcomes: We will… • Consider ways to begin with the end in mind • Consider reliable and valid evidence of learning • Consider ways to redefine reporting symbols, letters or percentage

grades Digital Materials: Excerpt from A Fresh Look at Grading and Reporting in High School by Sandra Herbst, and Anne Davies – to access digital copies go to this link and then get the Click to Look Inside excerpt from the book.

http://connect2learning.com/classroom-assessment/a-fresh-look-at-grading-and-reporting-in-high-schools/


3. Action Schools! BC – Anne So Circuits and Stations with Action Schools! BC

Anne So is excited to be an advocate and Regional Trainer for Action Schools! BC, a best practices whole-‐school model designed to assist elementary and middle schools in creating and implementing individualized action plans to promote healthy living while achieving academic outcomes and supporting comprehensive school health. As a local educator for many years, your trainer is passionate about bringing Action Schools! BC to schools throughout British Columbia and providing more opportunities for more children to make healthy choices more often.

This session shares indoor and outdoor circuit activities from the Action Schools! BC Physical Activity Action Resource. Learn about a variety of circuits, integrating activities like skipping, dance, juggling, strength and conditioning, stretching, and sport-‐specific skills. Activities reinforce fundamental movement skill development and contribute to physical literacy. Participants will leave with several new circuit ideas and the know-‐how to create many more. Complimentary teacher resources from Action Schools! BC will be provided and participants will qualify their schools for bins of Physical Activity ActionBins filled with resources and equipment to support implementation.


4. Kelly Amodeo and Tanya Carlson RTI Strategies

Kelly Amodeo, District Principal, Student Services and Principal of Woss Lake Elementary school and Tanya Carlson, Low Incidence Support Teacher and Behaviour Support Teacher will be presenting this workshop. Between them, Kelly and Tanya have travelled the district assisting educators in meeting student needs. Both have received training in RtI strategies and are privileged to share these strategies with colleagues.

The workshop will examine instructional and assessment strategies that support Response to Intervention.

Workshop limited to 25 participants.

5. Amanda Kiatipis Formative Assessment (Primary Focus)

Amanda Kiatipis did her teacher training at UBC with a focus on the kindergarten and primary program. After doing a practicum at Eagle View, she was hired at SD85 at Cheslakees kindergarten school as the LART/Librarian/Prep. For the past 2 years she has been the Early Years and Literacy teachers for the school district. This position has her traveling to our 8 elementary schools working with primary teachers towards early years and literacy goals. Part of this position connects her with the early years community as well.

This Workshop is a facilitated discussion and demonstration of literacy based formative assessments that teachers are currently using in our schools to inform their practice. Please bring samples of your students writing or reading assessment results because we will be using the performance standards as a group to discuss actual cases of students to see where they are at and how that informs what to teach next. Teachers will be exchanging ideas and learning in a collaborative environment.



6. SD42 Maple Ridge – Michael Saul & Julie Hearn New Reporting Model in Maple Ridge &

Pitt Meadows – Ungraded Assessment

Michael Saul: I have been teaching at the intermediate level for 26 years in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. For the past six years I’ve worked with students in one-‐to-‐one device classes with laptops and iPads now for the past two years. Two years ago, I completed my PhD at Simon Fraser University, looking specifically at the authentic assessment of creativity. In my thesis, I followed the research to argue how damaging it was to use letter grades when assessing creativity or other higher level thinking skills. I was thus elated to join the district committee developing a method of reporting at the intermediate level that was far more authentic and research-‐based. For the first time in years, my assessment routines fit well with the multimedia inquiry projects my students engage in, and parental support of the new reporting has been overwhelmingly positive. Julie Hearn: It was four years ago when I first approached my Principal and pitched a plan to abandon letter grades in my classroom, and I haven’t looked back since! I have been teaching in Maple Ridge for 10 years, and this year launched The Wheelhouse – an innovative program that connects learners to their community while emphasizing leadership and global citizenship. I have been fortunate to participate in the district’s 1to1 initiative for seven years. My classroom learning environment is filled with inquiry, projects, and self-‐directed learning. This reporting model enables me to better reflect student progress in the core academic areas, as well as support them in setting goals for personal development.

This Workshop is about how District 42 embarked on a quest three years ago to develop a new method of reporting that was more authentic, less stressful, and one that would better communicate student learning. Come hear about their journey, the process they followed, and get a more in-‐depth look at their new reporting model which is based on competencies and student-‐inclusive conferences.


AFTERNOON 1:00 to 2:30 PM

7. Alana Check First Steps in Math

Alana Check taught in SD85 at several schools-‐-‐primarily at the elementary level-‐-‐until her retirement in 2009. In 2010 she trained as a First Steps in Math facilitator with Pearson Education. Alana had developed an interest in the FSiM program while she was the .2 Numeracy Support Teacher in SD85 from Sept 2008 – Dec 2009.

This Workshop is to familiarize attendees with the First Steps in Math program materials. It is an INTRODUCTION to the program. Not the program itself. First Steps in Math is designed to provide K-‐7 teachers with instructional and assessment tools as they become more familiar with the developmental stages of mathematical learning from emerging to decimals and operations. Through the use of diagnostic tools, a diagnostic map one learns to advance the student’s mathematical learning using Key Mathematical understandings and Sample Learning Activities found in the Course Book and 2 Resource Books. Anyone who has copies of these books please bring them along to the workshop for a greater in-‐depth understanding of how they work. Tidbits of brain research will also be included.


8. Nimfa Casson Differentiation: A Response to Learners' Needs Gr. 6 -‐ 12

For over 20 years, Nimfa Casson has been dedicated to serving the educational needs of her students in this district. She had been a Learning Assistance/Resource teacher and taught classes from K -‐ 12. Presently a Humanities teacher at NISS, she also teaches Social Justice 12 and First Nations Studies 12.

The diversity of students in our classrooms is increasing; the need to shape curriculum and instruction to maximize learning for all students is more urgent than ever. In this session, I will share research-‐based information about Differentiated Instruction; effective and quick to implement strategies I use in my class in order to accommodate the different range of readiness levels, learning styles and interests of my students.


9. Action Schools! BC – Anne So Fundamental Movement Skills with Action Schools! BC

Anne So is excited to be an advocate and Regional Trainer for Action Schools! BC, a best practices whole-‐school model designed to assist elementary and middle schools in creating and implementing individualized action plans to promote healthy living while achieving academic outcomes and supporting comprehensive school health. As a local educator for many years, your trainer is passionate about bringing Action Schools! BC to schools throughout British Columbia and providing more opportunities for more children to make healthy choices more often.

This workshop focuses on the basics of physical activity and movement. Learn about and try easy to implement physical activities that emphasize the development of fundamental movement skills, such as jumping, catching, throwing and balance. This workshop demonstrates a variety of activities from the Physical Activity Action Resource including Chinese jump, dance, playground games, brain energizers, tai chi, as well as several circuits and station ideas that can be implemented in the classroom, gym, outdoors or alternative paces. Resources will be provided and upon participating in a workshop, teachers will qualify their schools for Action Schools! BC Physical Activity Action Bins filled with resources and equipment to implement the activities in the Physical Activity Action Resource.


10. Anne Davies Evidence of Learning and 21 Century Learning

Author, consultant, and researcher, Anne Davies, Ph.D., applies her expert knowledge of developing quality classroom assessment practices toward her mission to "increase the possibility of learning for all our students." Educators at every grade level throughout Canada, the United States, and other countries have benefitted from the high-‐touch support she provides during professional development events and multi-‐year projects. (see Anne’s morning workshop for more information)

Elementary teachers collect evidence of learning in relation to competencies – what students need to know, understand, do and articulate. Even the youngest learners are increasingly involved in this process because assessment in their service of learning is an instructional process that moves from co-‐regulation to self-‐regulation. And, at the same time, builds 21st century learning skills of collaboration, cooperation, communication, creativity, organization, problem solving, self-‐direction, and social responsibility. This session will be chock full of PRACTICAL ideas to use with students in today’s classrooms. Digital Support Materials: 1. Sample pages from Setting and Using Criteria (2nd Ed) by K. Gregory, A. Davies, and C. Cameron. Go to this link and click on “Click to LOOK INSIDE!” 2. Sample pages from Self-‐Assessment and Goal Setting (2nd Ed) by K. Gregory, A. Davies, and C. Cameron. Go to this link and click on “Click to LOOK INSIDE!” French Digital Materials: Excerpt from Établir et utiliser des critères by K. Gregory, Anne Davies and C. Cameron – to access digital copies Go to this link and click on “Click to LOOK INSIDE!”.

http://connect2learning.com/setting-and-using-criteria-second-edition

http://connect2learning.com/self-assessment-and-goal-setting-second-edition

http://connect2learning.com/classroom-assessment/%C3%A9tablir-et-utiliser-des-crit%C3%A8res/


11. Kevin Ogren Using Magic in the Classroom

Kevin Ogren is a grade 3&4 teacher at Sunset Elementary. This is his 20th year teaching on the north island. He has also been a semi-‐professional magician for more than 20 years. Kevin is currently completing a Master’s of Education, with a focus on the use of magic as an effective teaching tool.

Magic is a great way to help spark imagination and develop creativity. Magic can also be used to help students with physical and mental disabilities. This workshop will look at the various resources available for using magic in the classroom. Participants will also learn a variety of magic tricks that can be taught to their students.


12. Sean Barfoot & Luisa Richardson Outdoor Education – Introducing WildBC

Sean Barfoot is an intermediate classroom teacher in SD85 for the past six years. Currently, he teaches K-‐7 Physical Education and Outdoor Education at Eagle View Elementary School. His passion includes integrating experiential and place-‐based education into the K-‐ 7 curriculum. Sean has a degree in Outdoor Experiential Education and is presently completing his Masters in Curriculum Studies. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring and discovering the treasures of the North Island by going on many outdoor adventures with friends and family. Luisa Richardson MSc, Biology is a WildBC facilitator experienced in delivering engaging and inspiring outreach programs on behalf of WildBC, City of Campbell River, Greenways Land Trust, Comox Valley Regional District, Museum of Campbell River, Strathcona Wilderness Institute and community groups. She is passionate about natural history, eco-‐literacy, water conservation, watershed protection, traditional ecological knowledge, rethinking waste and ecological footprint and how this all ties into Bioregional literacy. Luisa is currently taking a second masters in Ecological Education at Simon Fraser University.

This Workshop is a WildBC introductory session with a focus on integrating place-‐based, project based and outdoor experiential education into the new curriculum. Workshop will be based on the K -‐ Gr.12 WildBC resource 'Get Outdoors: An Educators Guide to Outdoor Classrooms in Parks, School grounds and other special places’. The session will demonstrate ideas for integrating place based, project based and outdoor education activities that are readily adaptable to a diversity of grade levels and learning styles, using everyday materials. Some WildBC resources will be provided and others will be available for purchase. Please be prepared to spend a portion of the two-‐hour session outdoors.



13. SD42 Maple Ridge – Michael Saul & Julie Hearn Authentic Assessment Stories in Maple Ridge &

Pitt Meadows -‐ Ungraded Assessment

Julie Hearn: It was four years ago when I first approached my Principal and pitched a plan to abandon letter grades in my classroom, and I haven’t looked back since! I have been teaching in Maple Ridge for 10 years, and this year launched The Wheelhouse – an innovative program that connects learners to their community while emphasizing leadership and global citizenship. I have been fortunate to participate in the district’s 1to1 initiative for seven years. My classroom learning environment is filled with inquiry, projects, and self-‐directed learning. This reporting model enables me to better reflect student progress in the core academic areas, as well as support them in setting goals for personal development. Michael Saul: I have been teaching at the intermediate level for 26 years in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. For the past six years I’ve worked with students in one-‐to-‐one device classes with laptops and iPads now for the past two years. Two years ago, I completed my PhD at Simon Fraser University, looking specifically at the authentic assessment of creativity. In my thesis, I followed the research to argue how damaging it was to use letter grades when assessing creativity or other higher level thinking skills. I was thus elated to join the district committee developing a method of reporting at the intermediate level that was far more authentic and research-‐based. For the first time in years, my assessment routines fit well with the multimedia inquiry projects my students engage in, and parental support of the new reporting has been overwhelmingly positive.

No letter grades in Maple Ridge? It's true that District 42 has moved away from traditional letter grades, but what is more important is that their new reporting model better reflects today's classrooms and learners. Come hear stories about the implementation of this model, reactions and responses from parents, and how teachers are using this model as an opportunity for pedagogy shift.


14. April Lowe -‐ BCTF Assessment for Learning

April Lowe teaches grade 2/3 at Garibaldi Highlands Elementary in Squamish and has a Masters degree in Assessment. She has been a teacher since 1986, all of her years in elementary K-‐7. April is currently the Pro-‐Development chair for District 48. And is the district coordinator/leader for the NOII network; previously know as the Network for Performance based schools. She has been working with the BCTF in formative assessment for the past 6 years.

This workshop reviews the research that shows that doing more formative assessment in classrooms can have dramatic effects on student learning and achievement for all students, and help low achievers the most. The workshop will review the research, clarify the differences between formative assessment for learning and summative assessment of learning, and provide opportunities for participants to discuss what this might look like in the grades and subjects they teach. Participants are asked to bring student work in order to practice giving descriptive feedback.


VINTA 2014 Professional Development District Day

REGISTRATION FORM I would like to register for the following sessions:

PLEASE USE WORKSHOP # NUMBER

Morning

Choice Workshop # 1st

2nd

Afternoon Choice Workshop #

1st 2nd

Please register by Tuesday, February 18th, 2014 in one of the following ways:

1. Email your choices to: [email protected] (preferred) 2. Fax this form to: 250-949-8882 3. Call the VINTA Office: 250-949-8888

NAME: _______________________________________________

EMAIL: _______________________________________________

SCHOOL: ______________________________________________

Lunch will be provided on site at no cost to participants.

Registration for in-district independent schools and out-of-district teachers is $25.00 (cheque) for all workshops. Teachers-on-Call, Parents, Trustees and other School District #85 employees are welcome at no charge.

Documents

Assessment: Making the Grade - vinta-bctf.ca · Assessment: Making the Grade District Professional Development Day Friday, February 21, 2014 North Island Secondary School Please bring