Saying What You Mean and

Meaning What You Say

“No matter how true I believe what I am writing to be, if the reader cannot also participate in that truth, then I have failed.”

Madeleine L’Engle

Three Kinds of Readers20-Second Reader

Newspaper Reader

The Novel Reader

****Red Pencil Reader

Remember the Fog Index WhenUsing Written Communication

1. Average the number of words per sentence in your message.

2. Count the number of words having three or more syllables.

3. Add the two factors above and multiply by 0.4. This will give you the fog index and correspond roughly with the number of years of schooling a person would require to read the message with ease and understanding.

Fox Index example:Average words per sentence

20Number of words having 3 or more

syllables + 5

Add both of the above together 25

Multiple by 0.4 x 0.4

10

10 years of schooling needed to read and understand message.

What is Effective Feedback?Effective feedback provides:information about what

happened or was donean evaluation of how well or

not the action or task was performed

guidance as to how performance or behavior can be improved.

Effective Feedback

describes what happened – The student understood the

questions and was able to use her knowledge of Mandarin to make simple responses, though made some grammatical errors using the past tense.

provides an evaluation – student demonstrated clearly

that she understood the questions and was able to answer spontaneously and with reasonable fluency. Responses were often too brief. Grammatical errors when using the past tense often impeded communication.

provides guidance about how performance could be improved in the future –

The student needs to elaborate and expand on responses. Revision of the past tense is also advised.

Grades Alone... Grades are designed to define the

student's progress and provide information to parents.

Grades are often not detailed enough to give parents or the student a thorough understanding of what the student has actually learned or accomplished or needs to learn or accomplish.

Well-Written NotesWell-written notes can give

parents and students guidance on how to make improvements in specific academic or social areas.

The process of writing notes can also be helpful to teachers as it provides the opportunity to reflect on the academic and social progress of their students.

Word choicepromote a positive view of the

student thorough caring shows commitment improved considerably has a good grasp of use to convey that a student

needs help should benefit fromrequires finds it challenging at times to needs reinforcement in

Use Plain Language

use jargon-free language in reports to parents

select language that is easily understood by the school community

avoid professional terminology

“Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.”

William Butler Yeats

 

NegativeBashfulTroublemakerStupidPoor quality

workLiarImpertinentShow-offUncooperativeSteals

Negative PositiveBashfulTroublemakerStupidLiarFreshShow-offUncooperativeStealsCheats

ReservedDistracts other studentsCan do better with helpTends to stretch the truthDiscourteousTries too hard to get

attentionTakes without permissionDepends on others to do

the work

Doesn’t careRudeSelfishStubbornInsolentDisinterestedClumsyLazyMeanMessy

Negative Positive

Negative PositiveDoesn’t careRudeSelfishStubbornInsolentDisinterestedClumsyLazyMessyMean

Seems unmotivatedOften inconsiderateSeldom shares with othersOverly self-confidentOutspokenComplacentAwkwardGives inconsistent effortCould do neater workHas difficulty in getting

along with others

Example of plain language Sara can work out the meaning

from the context when listening for main ideas in an English text.

Sara can create and write simple passages using known language structures in English and using English script.

Sara needs to contain her enthusiasm when working in groups.

Develop a school writing style• Self editing is an important part of

the writing process.• During self editing procedures,

reports/letters should be read aloud, which makes it easier to check on spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Use peer review

Proofread carefully to see if you any word out

Focus on key aspects

Identify those aspects of achievement or behavior that are the most important.

Select the most important aspects of the student’s achievement or behavior and areas for improvement.

Make links between the areas of achievement specific student strengths and areas for further development.

Write a note to a parent:

Write a note to a parent about a behavior or academic issue. Be sure to include the 3 parts to effective feedback.

Refer to the rubric.

Consider the postage stamp: Its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing until it gets done.

Josh Billings