Our site has recently begun the journey of evaluating our grading practices through a deep dive into the book, “Grading for Equity“, by Joe Feldman. It’s a hard conversation to have for any teacher because it is personal and our brains have been so ingrained in the current grading practices that are in place. However, it is an incredibly important conversation to have to understand if our grading practices are truly equitable across all students.

When we discuss these grading practices, it is more than simply evaluating the current 0-100 scale that tends to dominate education. It goes much deeper than this. It also includes conversations such as late work policies, hard vs soft skills, assessment practices, and more. All of these pieces of our grading practices can influence students and their grades. Do our current grading practices represent the type of education we are giving our students today? Or do they more closely model a world of the past? Honestly, I am still exploring my own beliefs for the most equitable grading practices. There is a lot of hard work, conversations, and reflections that will be coming over the next several months. During this time, I hope to create some interactive and engaging professional development activities that you could also share with your teachers, departments or sites.

In this first activity, I created a simple, short, and interactive PearDeck presentation that challenges teachers to evaluate their grading practices to determine if it is truly equitable. I can take little to no credit for the content in this, since the majority of it came from Joe Feldman’s Quiz on his Grading for Equity website. However, I took this quiz and put it into a presentation that would allow school sites to have interactive conversations as they go through it. Here are a couple ideas on how to use this activity with your staff or team:

• Individually Paced – Set up the PearDeck for teachers to complete on their own and at their own pace during a staff meeting. Review the answers at the end, then break into groups to discuss these answers.
• Whole Group Paced – Set up the PearDeck for teachers to complete as a group. Display the responses to the whole group to see if the site is aligned or not. Review the answers, one by one, discuss during the presentation. If time allows, break into groups at the end for further discussion.

Personally, my favorite is the whole group option, although that was rarely my teaching style in the classroom. However, it is truly powerful to go through these questions as a whole site and compare where everyone is at and to see whether or not the school was aligned. You may find that, on certain questions, nearly all your teachers completely agree with one another. On the other hand, there may be questions where they are more split – which is where the true work begins!

If you are interested in using this activity with your site, all you need to do is:

1. Make your own copy.
2. Install the PearDeck add-on.
3. Present with PearDeck!

(View) (Copy)

Important Note: To view the answers choices to the quiz, you must present through PearDeck.  You can also view them in the speaker notes at the bottom.

Has your school taken a deep dive into its grading practices? If so, share in the comments below!

It’s hard to believe that I am writing a blog post on techy ideas to start the school year strong.  Didn’t I just write a blog post on finishing the race strong?!

Nevertheless, the new school year is quickly approaching – like, in less than 48 hours.  Over the summer, I spent a lot of time brainstorming ideas for using technology to foster strong relationships and increase communication with parents and student to set a strong foundation for the school year.

Here are a few of my ideas:

#1: Personalize a Student Survey with Google Forms & FlipGrid

At the beginning of each school year, I have my students complete a “Student Survey” so I can get to know them.  In the survey, I ask questions to help me understand their academic ability, as well as their interests outside of the classroom.  It’s always been a great way to get to know my students.  The survey is created in Google Forms and is embedded to our classroom website.  I can view the results in Google Forms or in Sheets.  In the resources below, I have linked to the “view” form so you can experience it as a student, as well as a link to create your own copy.

One section that I added this year was a “Questions/Comments/Concerns” section that utilizes Flipgrid.  In this section, students will be able to go to our classroom grid and will respond to the following prompt:

Share any questions, comments, and/or concerns that you have about Math 8. Or, just share something fun! Remember, you can also view other student’s videos and comment.

Although I haven’t done this yet, I am hoping that it will open the door to some communication within our classroom.  In this Flipgrid, students can ask questions, comment on the classroom, share concerns, or simply share anything they want about their day.  In addition to this, students will also be able to view and respond to other students.  Overall, my goal is to increase communication and build a strong foundation for our classroom culture.

Resources:

• Student Survey Sample
• Copy of Student Survey

#2: Use Google Forms & YouTube to Create a Parent Survey

In the same way as the Student Survey, I have also created a “Parent Survey” for parents to complete in the first week of school.  In this form, I am able to gather parent contact information, ask questions about their student, encourage them to join Remind, and allow time to ask any questions and/or express any concerns.  In the resources below, I have linked to the “view” form so you can experience it as a student, as well as a link to create your own copy.

This year, I have added a couple of new features to the parent survey.  First, I have put in a section on photographic and video permissions, which also links to my blog and Twitter, so parents will better understand the purpose behind these permissions.  Second, I have created a YouTube video for parents that discusses the course, our classroom, and is a general introduction to the year.  For my Math class, my students are Honors students and I always want to create a strong line of communication since it tends to be a fast-paced and rigorous course.  In addition to this, I also want the opportunity to reach any parents that may be unable to meet or attend back-to-school night.

Again, my whole goal is to increase communication which, in turn, will create a strong foundation for a positive rapport and school year.

Resources:

• Parent Survey Sample
• Copy of Parent Survey

#3: Create a Remind Account to Increase Parent Communication

Remind is one of my favorite resources as a teacher.  Remind is a “communication tool that helps teachers reach students and parents.”  Basically, it is a safe and secure way to text students and parents information about the class without ever sharing personal contact information (i.e. phone numbers).  I started using Remind last year and it was a great way to send a quick message to parents if there was anything I needed to discuss.  As an example, if I saw that a student’s grade was dropping, I could send the parent a quick text.  If the student was upset or having a bad day, I could quickly inform the parent.  More importantly, I also found myself sending more positive notes to parents since I could quickly send messages through the app on my phone or my web browser.

This year, Remind is going to be (unofficially) mandatory for the parents of my students.  Obviously, if they do not want to join, I will not force them.  However, if they have not joined after two weeks, I will be personally calling parents to encourage them to join Remind.  Creating an environment of communication is crucial at the beginning of the year.

Resources:

• Remind

#4: Create an Interactive Classroom Syllabus with PearDeck

As I begin each school year, I provide my students with a paper (digital and/or physical) that contain classroom information.  I hesitate using the word “syllabus” but, in a sense, that is very much what it is.  And – it’s dreadfully boring to review.  However, there is some really good information to share with students and conversations that can be formed from it.

This year, I will still provide them with this information, but I want to integrate it into PearDeck.  I want to create a presentation that is interactive and engaging to students.  A presentation that asks the students question about what we have discussed, as well as opens the door for them to share their own ideas about how they would like to see their classroom structure.  Voice and choice are essential for student buy-in, so I want to use PearDeck in a way to introduce myself, the classroom, the course, and open communication among myself and my students.

Resources:

• PearDeck

#5: Review Classroom Information with BreakoutEDU

In the first week, the students are given so much information about what they can expect during the next year.  However…sometimes I worry that they do not always retain this information.  Again – it’s because it can be boring.

One goal I have this year is to create a BreakoutEDU Digital on the information my students receive in the first week – classroom and course information, school information, expectations, etc.  Not only would this be a fun end of the first-week activity, but it would also be a great way to solidify any important information that you would like students to remember.

Resources:

• Breakout EDU Digital

How do you use technology to foster relationships and increase communication at the beginning of the school year?  Share in the comments below!