Offer Immediate Feedback and Correction Opportunities

I realized several times this week the benefit to student learning by offering students the chance to correct their work immediately after it was passed in. As soon as students turned in their standards-based weekly check-in and I glanced over their math processing, I noticed some changes that students could probably make if they were given the opportunity. I simply circled the numbers of the ones that I wanted the students to check. In most cases, students were quickly able to identify their error and easily resolve it. To me, giving students that immediate feedback and the opportunity to "fix their work" is respectful, it creates more engagement and fosters a culture of genuine learning rather than one of gotchas!

Wednesday 11/20/13 Parent-Teacher Conference

Click here to schedule an appointment for our Parent-Teacher Conference. Please leave me your email as I may need to communicate with you prior to that evening. Thanks!

Grades Do More Harm Than Good

Chris Crouch (@the_explicator) wrote a thoughtful blog post explaining why Grades Do More Harm Than Good.

Conversion From 4-Point Scale to Letter Grades

The following table shows our conversion from the 4-point scale to letter grades:

• 0.00 to 1.99 - F
• 2.00 to 2.14 - D-
• 2.15 to 2.32 - D
• 2.33 to 2.49 - D+
• 2.50 to 2.67 - C-
• 2.68 to 2.84 - C
• 2.85 to 3.02 - C+
• 3.03 to 3.19 - B-
• 3.20 to 3.37 - B
• 3.38 to 3.54 - B+
• 3.55 to 3.72 - A-
• 3.73 to 3.89 - A
• 3.90 to 4.00 - A+

Reflections of Learning

It's only October 1st and I've learned so much as an educator since the close of school last June!

I've been influenced by several authors, countless dedicated individuals in my Professional Learning Network (PLN) and an amazing group of new students. Several authors have caused me to ponder over "focusing on power standards", "being fair and consistent", "maintaining a passion for teaching", "using meaningful formative assessments" and "cultivating a design thinking mindset". Allow me to credit these great thinkers and leaders:

• Tony Wagner - The Global Achievement Gap
• Larry Ainsworth - Rigorous Curriculum Design
• Dave Burgess - Teach Like a Pirate
• Rick Wormelli - Fair Isn't Always Equal
• Dylan Wiliam - Embedded Formative Assessment
• Tim Brown - Change by Design
• Tom Kelley - The Art of Innovation

Being a regular contributor on Twitter has enabled me to become a more connected professional. I have been challenged, exhilarated and supported by an ever-growing PLN. We enjoy weekly conversations or chats through #sbgchat, #colchat, #eqbook, #satchatwc and others. We're also available for each other when the need arises. Several individuals have been such a boost to my career that I'd be amiss if I did not give them the credit that is due them. These include Dr. Darin Jolly (@drjolly), Garnet Hillman (@garnet_hillman), David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse), Dave Mulder (@d_mulder), Jim Cordery (@jcordery), Shawn Cornally (@ThinkThankThunk), Dr. Lee-Anne Gray (@drleeanneg), Jasper Fox Sr. (jsprfox), Justin Nacarato (@teacherinme), Marlene Schoeneck (@maschoeneck), Cristian Casco (@cristian), Bobbie Lynch (@lynchteaches), Michele Corbat (@michelecorbat), Rodney Hetherton (@rodneyhetherton), Adam Hartley (@adamhartely2013) and Salome Thomas-EL (@principal_el). 

Finally, I'm extremely grateful for the amazing group of students that I have the pleasure of working with every day at Wilmington High School. They inspire, challenge, encourage and exhaust me every day. I am honored to work with such dedicated individuals. We enjoy an exciting, challenging and engaging learning environment every day.

This is a "Thank You" to so many people who continue to inspire me to Yearn 2 Learn!

Rik Rowe

Some High Points After 7 School Days

Most of my students and I have had a great start to our school year! Some of the contributing factors are:

• The attitude and energy we bring to class every day enables us to learn and communicate effectively.
• The respect and appreciation we share helps us to listen and value everyone's contributions.
• The effort my students and I put into learning outside the classroom makes our time together in the classroom more productive,
• My acquisition and understanding of Standards-Based Grading (SBG) from my Personal Learning Network (PLN) along with the willingness of my students to try this new approach will set the stage for an increase in learning and retention with excitement! 
• My PLN and my students are already communicating well in class and outside the class with the help of Twitter.
• Somehow I was blessed with an amazing group of students again this year! 
• I know I can reach out to my PLN for support at any time. I'm grateful to be on a team with such dedicated educators, even if they reside in different states! 
• Many of our students have already expressed the excitement they have for our school year! We will accomplish great things and have fun learning together!

The Case Against Percentage Grades

Tom R. Guskey created an exceptional read on why educators might want to leave behind traditional percentage grading.