ELA 10: March 28-April 1

We have been hard at work wrapping up loose ends in ELA 10 last week, and we will continue that this week. If you have been watching MiStar, you’ll notice that in addition to all the practice assignments, some of the final (counted) assessments for the unit have now been entered. Students have received scores for assessments measuring the following three learning goals:

1. I can read informational texts critically.  This was the article annotation assessment.  Students had three chances, and I took their best score.
2. I can identify the structure of a drama. This was the Doll’s House short answer assessment. Students practiced the skill multiple times in class, took a practice test using Antigone, and finally showed their skills with the final act of A Doll’s House.  I will return this assessment on Monday.
3. I can use varied syntax in my writing.  This was assessed with the Angry Letter/Monologue assignment.  Students had multiple chances to receive feedback from me (both online and in person) and their peers. They will receive their scored assessments back on Monday.

There are the two remaining learning goals for the unit:

1. I can create and present effective presentations.  Students spent last week preparing and practicing these presentations. You will see a practice score (4/3/2/1) assessing their preparation in MiStar.  We will begin these presentations on Wednesday and finish them prior to break.
2. I can maintain and support an argumentative claim.  We have been practicing this skill and there are several practice, formative scores in MiStar to give the students feedback about their argumentative writing thus far.  We will look at their practice in class argumentative essays this week, do a little more practice when we return from break, and then write the final (counted!) in class essay the week we get back from break.

I hope this breakdown helps you understand where your student stands with his or her grade at this point in the card marking.  On Monday this week, I’ll be giving the students printouts of their current grades along with some reflection questions that ask them to think about how well they’ve engaged with the practice activities this unit.  For many students, I have been happy to see them embracing the formative, practice assessment even though they don’t “count”. Now that we are getting to the scored assessments, those students are very happy with their results.  Some students have struggled with pushing themselves to engage in practice and they are less pleased with their scores right now.  I’m hopeful that reflecting on the effort they’ve put forth will help them set some goals for the remainder of the unit and the year.

I’m off to go fill some Easter baskets! I hope you have a wonderful Easter if you celebrate it this weekend! ​