Using Writing as Evidence of Thinking in a Common Core Era

[Megan Garijo Pruitt]

My idea emerged after learning & studying about the Common Core initiative.  It is said that Common Core standards are rigorous; they contain rigorous content & rigorous application of knowledge through higher-order skills.  In this era, they are known as 21st century skills.  So what does rigorous mean?  Rigorous is defined as high-level cognitive demands by asking students to demonstrate deep conceptual understanding through the application of content knowledge & skills to new situations. 

If high-level cognitive demands include:  reasoning, justification, synthesis, analysis & problem-solving, what does the teaching & learning of rigorous content look like?  How do students show evidence of deep conceptual evidence of learning through writing?

 

The research that I intend to explore more includes 21st Century teaching and learning, how to teach conceptually, standards referenced/based reform, etc.

 

This idea will definitely be an inquiry-approach.  I hope to define it more with the help of my cohort & the continuous research I will be doing. 

 

Thanks!

Look forward to learning : )

 

Megan Garijo

[Michelle Peirce]

Hi Megan,

Our you going to explore levels of DOK with instruction, assessment and objectives? I have worked a lot this year with DOK and what I have noticed throug teacher observations and collaborations is that although objectives may been written at a higher level DOK, the actual activities or assessments do not match. Teachers need training in the various levels so that they have a clear understanding of what they their lesson is asking of the student (what DOK level). Most often, through my experience this year, techers believe their lesson/activity is at a higher level that it actually is.

Your 21st Century teaching sound like Marzano strategies. Did you know he has a new book out?

[Gia Maraccini]

Hey Megan!

 

I think this is a great demonstration idea and something that will be very valuable as we all make the switch to Common Core standards.  Depoali Middle School opened as a 21st Century school.  I have a couple of books on the subject at school, if you would like to borrow them.  We, as a staff, have also used the www.p21.org site as we have tried to conceputalize what a 21st century classroom should look like.  The site has some great general information, along with some detailed information about Nevada.

 

Our 6th grade ELA/Social Studies department has been working on developing common assessments over the last two years.  We have struggled with being able to develop an assessment that requires all students to think at a higher level but also is not to subjective for a common assessment.  I am hoping you have some magical suggestions that I can take back to my departement. 

 

Good luck!

 

Gia

[Megan Garijo Pruitt]

Good ideas, Michelle!  I'll definitely tie DOK into it! 

 

I'm not sure of the new book out by Marzano, but I did just get one called Leaders of Learning by Marzano & Rick DuFour.  It has been great so far.

 

Thank you!

Michelle Peirce said:

Hi Megan,

Our you going to explore levels of DOK with instruction, assessment and objectives? I have worked a lot this year with DOK and what I have noticed throug teacher observations and collaborations is that although objectives may been written at a higher level DOK, the actual activities or assessments do not match. Teachers need training in the various levels so that they have a clear understanding of what they their lesson is asking of the student (what DOK level). Most often, through my experience this year, techers believe their lesson/activity is at a higher level that it actually is.

Your 21st Century teaching sound like Marzano strategies. Did you know he has a new book out?

[Megan Garijo Pruitt]

Hi Gia!

 

I would be very interested in borrowing those books you were referring to.  I'll talk to you more about it on our research day Friday!  : )

Gia Maraccini said:

Hey Megan!

 

I think this is a great demonstration idea and something that will be very valuable as we all make the switch to Common Core standards.  Depoali Middle School opened as a 21st Century school.  I have a couple of books on the subject at school, if you would like to borrow them.  We, as a staff, have also used the www.p21.org site as we have tried to conceputalize what a 21st century classroom should look like.  The site has some great general information, along with some detailed information about Nevada.

 

Our 6th grade ELA/Social Studies department has been working on developing common assessments over the last two years.  We have struggled with being able to develop an assessment that requires all students to think at a higher level but also is not to subjective for a common assessment.  I am hoping you have some magical suggestions that I can take back to my departement. 

 

Good luck!

 

Gia

[Lucy Elise Peters]

Dear Megan,

 

I like to use writing to see how my students understand a topic in Foods class.  Because Career and Tech Ed classes often employ knowledge from core classes to "Get the Job done", higher order thinking is used on a regular basis.  My students tell me they like to see how the items learned in core classes apply in a real world/work situation.  I think higher level cognitive learning could be diplayed through vocabuary use.  They must use content specific vocabuary to explain a concept or approach to your core area.  When I have had students use this type of explination technique, they learn the topic on a deeper level.  I just want to take it further this next year.  --Lucy

[Gia Maraccini]

Hey Megan!

 

I have been out of town on vacation and missed the research day.  I did stop by school today and picked up the two books I have.  One is probably better than the other.  I can bring them to the retreat, or if you need them sooner, we could work something out.  I leave again tomorrow for camping through the morning of the 5th.  I can either meet up with you tomorrow or leave them on my front door for you to pick up.  Hope that helps!

 

Gia

Megan Garijo Pruitt said:

Hi Gia!

 

I would be very interested in borrowing those books you were referring to.  I'll talk to you more about it on our research day Friday!  : )

Gia Maraccini said:

Hey Megan!

 

I think this is a great demonstration idea and something that will be very valuable as we all make the switch to Common Core standards.  Depoali Middle School opened as a 21st Century school.  I have a couple of books on the subject at school, if you would like to borrow them.  We, as a staff, have also used the www.p21.org site as we have tried to conceputalize what a 21st century classroom should look like.  The site has some great general information, along with some detailed information about Nevada.

 

Our 6th grade ELA/Social Studies department has been working on developing common assessments over the last two years.  We have struggled with being able to develop an assessment that requires all students to think at a higher level but also is not to subjective for a common assessment.  I am hoping you have some magical suggestions that I can take back to my departement. 

 

Good luck!

 

Gia

[Gail Corthell]

Hi Megan

I am sooooo looking forward to hearing your presentation.  One goal that I have for my own teaching next year is that of employing more of a "writing in the content areas" approach, so anything I can learn about teaching for higher-order learning will be greatly appreciated.  A question that always nags at me is, "Am I truly challenging my stronger students?" and with all of the emphasis on "bubble kids" I'm always afraid that I'm slipping backward as to what I expect of my students.  Thanks so much for taking on this very appropriate and timely subject.

Gail