Excellence in Education: Ensuring All Students Are Successful on Projects
As we near the end of the term, students usually have the opportunity to do more projects. With 8 classes at the same time, this can be daunting for many of our students. Below are some ways to ensure all students successfully complete their projects.
Student Checklist of Project Requirements: Students use a checklist as they work to ensure they are preparing all parts of the project. The checklist, complete with due-by-dates, can be teacher or student-created. Additionally, you can pair students to check to make sure their partner’s work is being completed.
Rubrics: While rubrics shouldn’t be overly prescriptive, simple rubrics that can be applied to the various student-created products are helpful in assessing proficiency levels, setting individual goals and establishing clear expectations. Students should always self-assess their own work. Another possibility is to have students share their work with their partners before the project due date.
Planning Guides: A step-by-step planning guide used in conjunction with the above is helpful for students who procrastinate or skip steps. It will help students pay attention to the key components (see checklist) to the criteria as they plan.
Reflection: Allow students to reflect on the process. For projects, and especially project-based learning, the process is often more important than the final product, if students are given the opportunity to reflect on their learning and the process. This can be done in a structured format, such as specific questions students answer, in a teacher-to-student conversation or with other students. Some possible prompts: What are the strengths of the project? Describe what you learned about your topic? What was especially helpful/important as you worked on this project? If you could continue working on this, what would you do? For next year’s students, what advice would you give them about this project?
By making use of the above, students will be more successful. Many students will benefit from the increased structure through scaffolding, chunking, interventions and supports, but many students don’t need all of these supports. These strategies will help students build their executive functioning and soft skills.
Side note: Please don’t forget that the expectation is that all students complete at least one “assignment” in each class for each term to upload to their online/open portfolios.
Shout Outs:
Great job by Ms. Meade and Ms. Stott and organizing PowderPuff. Thanks to all the faculty members who volunteered their time to officiating, selling concessions or collecting tickets!
The student improv was a blast! We appreciate all the teachers who put themselves out there to show their lighter-sides.
Need to Knows:
Pineapple Learning Walks: https://goo.gl/fh6bT3 Don’t forget to sign-up by Tuesday so we can get this going!
Portfolio Assistance If you have a student who needs assistance setting up his/her portfolio, click here
Technology / Website Permission Request Form http://go.shr.lc/1HovEA6 Please use this form to request use of a website that requires student log-in if the site is not already on the approved list. DART approved list
Morning Announcement Stream: http://streaming.k12albemarle.org/ACPS/links.htm Please be sure to have announcements cued and ready to go at 8:55 every morning.
Announcement Request: http://tinyurl.com/requestannouncement
Calendar and Memo Items
A-B Week
Tonight’s #vachat is on Creating Trauma Sensitive Classrooms. How to follow and participate in a twitter chat. Hope to see you at 8!
December 2: A-Day
December 9: B-Day
December 6: Orchestra Concert, 7pm
December 7: Curriculum Expo, 6pm
December 8: Band Concert, 7pm
December 13: Chorus Concert, 7pm
Birthdays
November 23: Lauren Williamson
Worth Your Time
What do Students Lose by Being Perfect? (Innovating, Embracing)
Daily Bell Schedule
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“0” Period (7:40 – 8:40)
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1st Period
(8:55-10:20)
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Mustang Morning
(10:25-10:55)
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2nd Period
11:00-12:55
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3rd Period
(1:00-2:10)
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Speak-Up Survey to be Completed
Students Remain in 3rd Period Classes
(2:10-2:40)
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4th Period
(2:45-3:55)
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AM CATEC Students: Depart from Monticello High School at 9am and return from CATEC and return to Monticello High School at 11:55am
PM CATEC Students: Leave class at 12:55pm for 1:00pm bus departure
Speak Up, a national online research project facilitated by Project Tomorrow®, gives individuals the opportunity to share their viewpoints about key educational issues, particularly concerning 21st century education and technology. Each year, findings are summarized and shared with national and state policy makers. This data is invaluable in providing feedback regarding the Division’s work with respect to technology as an enabler for learning. For more information on the survey, visit http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/index.html .
