Assessment: Vocabulary Test #1

The following is a summative test on a 7th grade vocabulary unit. The assessment utilized a Table of Specifications (also embedded below) in order to make the test valid and reliable. According to the University of Kansas, “The purpose of a Table of Specifications is to identify the achievement domains being measured and to ensure that a fair and representative sample of questions appear on the test. A Table of Specifications allows the teacher to construct a test which focuses on the key areas and weights those different areas based on their importance. A Table of Specifications provides the teacher with evidence that a test has content validity, that it covers what should be covered.” The vocabulary test had an instructional weight to make the test fair. Each question was linked to one of two standards from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which ensures that what is being tested was taught. Also, there was a balanced weight of higher order questions and lower order questions. There were a variety of questions, ranging from multiple choice, true or false, writing sentences, and short essay.

Alternative Authentic Assessment for ELLs: Area

The following is an authentic assessment for English Language Learners.  The assessment covers finding the area of figures.

Different activities require different types of authentic assessments.  One particular activity will help students practice finding the area of different figures while being assessed authentically.  Various shapes will be cut out on different colored construction paper.  The shapes will be color coordinated so that different pieces of the same color can evenly fit together.  Each student will receive a cutout.  Next, the student will find a partner who has a shape that is the same color as his or hers.  When the students find partners with the same colored shape, they will put their shapes together like a puzzle.  After the partners match up their shapes, they will find the dimensions of their figure by measuring it with a ruler.  Then, the students find the area of the combined figures.  Students can use any strategy that they have learned to find the area, including formulas, or adding together the areas of each individual figure.

For example, one student is given a green square.  The student finds another student with a green right triangle.  The students put the shapes together to make a trapezoid.  Then, the students must find the area of the new figure that they created, which would be the trapezoid.  Besides finding the area, the students will complete other tasks which will test their language domains.  On a piece of paper, the students will show all their work as to how they found their answer.  Lastly, in complete sentences, the students will write out all of the steps they used to solve the problem.

Assessment: Northeast Project

The following is a 4th grade final assessment for a unit plan on the Northeast.  Ideas from the assessment can easily be adapted to other grade levels and topics.  The assessment covers a unit plan on the entire history of the Northeast. The assessment utilizes the textbook Harcourt Social Studies: States and Regions.  In this assessment, students ultimately have the choice as to how they would like to be assessed, and what topic they will be assessed on.  The assessment below is basically a rubric and project description.

Students will have the option to create their own final project.  Students will choose any topic from Chapter 4: Exploring the Northeast, from Harcourt Social Studies: States and Regions. Students will choose one of the project selections from the options below.  Students will have 2-3 days to work on the project in class.  The remaining portion of the project will be done for homework.  The topics and project type must be pre-approved by the teacher.  Students will be assessed through a rubric.  Students will briefly present their projects to the class.

Project Options:

Comic Strip: Draw a series of cartoon panels that summarize your topic.  You must draw at least six panels showing the essential events from beginning to end. Your comic strip must be neat and colorful. Also, write one paragraph summarizing your comic strip.

Magazine: Create a magazine that highlights your topic.  Your magazine must contain at least two articles (1 paragraph per article). One article should be an interview with a historical person who is related to the topic. The magazine should contain at least two images relating to the topic (drawings or photographs).  You must also include one advertisement that would be appropriate for the time and place your event took place. 

Children’s Book: Create a children’s book based on your topic.  The book must be at least five pages long.  It should include lots of color and illustrations.  Also, write one paragraph summarizing your book.

Power Point Presentation: Create a Power Point of your topic.  Power Point should be at least 5 slides.  Include at least 2 pictures.  Also, write one paragraph summarizing the bullet points in your presentation.

Song: Write a song about your topic.  The song lyrics must contain all relevant information about your topic.  The lyrics should be at least 10 lines.  Also, write one paragraph summarizing what your song is about.

Tri-Fold/Poster: Prepare a tri-fold or poster of your topic.  The tri-fold/poster should contain pictures and captions that illustrate the subject.  Also, write one paragraph summarizing what appears on your poster.

Essay: Write an essay based on a topic.  The paper must be at least five paragraphs.

Lesson Plan: Perimeter & Area of Irregular Figures TTLP

The following lesson is in the format of Thinking Through Lesson Protocol (TTLP), which answers questions about the lesson. This lesson is on finding the perimeter and area of irreguluar figures and is targeted at 4th grade students.  The lesson could be adapted for other grade levels. The lesson provides a specific problem. Students use discovery learning and hands-on activities in order to solve the problems.  Students work in a small group to solve the problems.  Also embedded is a reflection on the lesson after instruction. Also below is a worksheet with an answer key that students will use to guide them through the process.

Lesson Plan: Finding the Area for ELLs

Embedded below is a lesson plan on finding the area for various levels of English Language Learners. Students use different hands-on activities in order to help them find the area. The plan is in the Sheltered Instructuin Observation Protocol (SIOP) format.  The plan is intended for 8th grade, but can be adapted for other grade levels.

Lesson Plan: Color Poem

The following lesson is on writing color poems.  The lesson is in the format of a gradual release of responsibility, where the students slowly gain independence.  The lesson includes reflection on planning and instruction.  Also embedded below is an optional template for writing color poems.

Title: Color Poems
Grade/Subject: 4th Grade Language Arts

Standards:

• 1.4.4.A:  Write poems, multi-paragraph stories and plays.

Objectives:

• Students will be able to write their own color poems incorporating their senses by using a color poem template.

Anticipatory Set:

• Read My Many Colored Days by Dr. Suess aloud.
• Ask students: “What do the different colors represent?  What do the colors show?”
• Feelings and emotions
• State: “We are going to write color poems that will show what colors represent, what they remind us of, and how they make us feel.”

Lesson Plan: The Colonies

The following is a 4th grade lesson on the colonies. The lesson is a subunit of a unit plan on the entire history of the Northeast. This plan connects to state standards as well as the National Council for Social Studies themes and subthemes. The lesson plan utilizes the textbook Harcourt Social Studies: States and Regions. Students do a before, during, and after reading on the textbook and answer questions. Students will then conduct research and create a brochure on the colony of their choice. Their brochure will act as an advertisement trying to get settlers to come to their colony.  The students will also participate in a class KWL, which will take them through the whole unit. A worksheet and rubric for creating the brochure is also embedded. Graphic organizer and rubric can be downloaded on our Teachers Pay Teachers page.

 

Lesson Plan: Wegener's Puzzling Evidence

Title: Wegener's Puzzling Evidence 

Grade/Subject: 8^th Grade Science

Objectives:

·      Students will be able to create Alfred Wegener's super continent by coloring, cutting out, and gluing the land masses together.

·      Students will be able to write a paragraph stating Wegener's hypothesis and evidence to support his hypothesis.

Standards:

·     S8.C.2.1.2 Explain how energy is transferred from one place to another through convection, conduction, or radiation.

·     S8.D.1.1.2 Describe natural processes that change Earth’s surface.

·     CC.1.5.8.A: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, on grade level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Anticipatory Set: (Approximately first 5 minutes of class) 

Students were taught the following information in the previous class.  They previously read Chapter 1, Section 3: Drifting Continents from their text Inside Earth: Prentice Hall Science Explorer.

Students will do a think-pair-share reviewing the following information.  Briefly answer the questions as a class after the think-pair-share:

·      What was Wegener's hypothesis?

◦      Continental Drift: All continents were once joined together in a single land mass and have drifted apart

·      What was Wegener's evidence for his hypothesis?

◦      Land features (mountain ranges lined up), fossils, and evidence of climate change

·       What was the major issue with his hypothesis?

◦      Wegener could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the force that pushes and pulls the continents.

During the whole class discussion, check for understanding by having students put a thumbs up or thumbs down to show if they agree or disagree after somebody answers the question.

Lesson Plan: Decomposing Fractions

Embedded below is a lesson plan for decomposing fractions. The lesson was taught to 4th grade students. The first plan includes teacher talk and a complete run through of the lesson. The second plan is in the Thinking Through Lesson Protocol (TTLP) format. The TTLP answers several questions about the lesson. The final portion is a reflection on the lesson.

Below are pictures from the lesson:

Lesson Plan & Scenario: Writing Based on Image

The following lesson plan includes a scenario around a fictional student named "Tesay."  Tesay is an English Language Learner who has been struggling in school. The lesson is used for all students in the class, but works around Tesay in order to help her succeed in the regular classroom.

Title: Universal Design for Learning Lesson Plan: Writing Based on Images

Subject and Grade Level: Writing, 6^th grade

Materials Needed:

• Spanish or Creole to English translator (book or computer/Internet program)
• Photographs that students like (personal photograph or a picture from a  magazine/newspaper/ Internet source)
• Whiteboard/markers
• Projector/computer
• Worksheet with chart (characters, setting, problems, solution)

Lesson Objectives:

• Students will be able to write a short narrative based on an image.
• Students will be able to describe an image to a partner orally.

Standard/Benchmark/Indicator:

• 1.5.6.A: Write with a clear focus, identifying topic, task, and audience and establishing a single point of view.
• 1.5.6.B: Write paragraphs that have details and information specific to the topic and relevant to the focus.

Lesson Plan & Scenario: Finding Perimeter and Area

The following lesson plan includes a scenario around a fictional student named "Ernando."  Ernando is an English Language Learner with an Emotional Behavior Disturbance.  The lesson is used for all students in the class, but works around Ernando in order to help him succeed in the regular classroom.

Title:  Finding the Perimeter -- Ernando (Emotional Behavior Disturbance)

Subject/Grade Level: 5th Grade Mathmatics

Objectives:

• Students will be able to find the perimeter of objects around the classroom, using a ruler, measuring tape, or meter stick.

• Students will be able to explain how to find the perimeter of a figure.

Lesson Plan: Early History of Northeastern Native Americans

The following is a lesson plan on the early history of Northeastern Native Americans. The lesson is a subunit of a unit plan on the entire history of the Northeast.  This plan connects to state standards as well as the National Council for Social Studies themes and subthemes. The lesson plan utilizes the textbook Harcourt Social Studies: States and Regions.  The lesson plan includes "teacher talk" that narrates a PowerPoint presentation (which is also embedded below). Students will research a Native American tribe and record their findings on a graphic organizer (which is included in the embedded plan). Students will then transform their findings into a poster and present to the class.  The students will also participate in a class KWL, which will take them through the whole unit. Included is the lesson plan and downloadable slides.

Lesson Plan: Native American Online Scavenger Hunt

Online Scavenger Hunts can be used to introduce topics. By following a PowerPoint presentation with appropriate links, students can be led to various websites that will inform them about certain topics. To help guide students through the websites, it is helpful to provide a worksheet so students can pick out the important information.

The following is a Scavenger Hunt on various Native American tribes, mainly found in the Northeast.  The lesson includes a PowerPoint with links to appropriate websites on Native Americans.  Also included is a worksheet (and an answer key) that guides students through the various websites.

The lesson was intended to be for upper-elementary aged students (grade 4), but the project can be easily adapted for any grade level. The Online Scavenger Hunt can really be used for any grade level that can handle a computer and the Internet.

Response To Intervention Information

The following is a PowerPoint on Response to Intervention. Learn about RTI and the three tiers in the presentation below. Click the "expand" button in the lower right-hand corner to view the larger version and read the notes that go along with the slides.

In order to view the notes and watch the videos embedded into the PowerPoint, please click this link.