My+Plan

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PLAN Morag Riddell – Unity Public School – 2009-10 Learning Area: Assessment


 * 1. Determining Target:**

The purpose of assessment is to support student learning. This means helping them to get from where they are to where they need to be. We gather evidence of learning by collecting products, observing the learning process, and listening to student comments about their learning as they explain it to someone else. It is essential to involve the students as partners when setting criteria, analyzing exemplars, and assessment. Through this process, learning becomes more explicit and students are motivated to achieve their goals.


 * 2. Essential Questions:**

What can I do to teach my students to become partners in their learning? How can I involve them in the process of setting the criteria for their performance tasks? How can I help them learn what quality looks like? What can I do to engage them in the use of assessments to help them understand where they are, and support them in their journey to get to where they want to be?


 * 3. Background Reading & Research:**

I will read articles, books, blogs, and other materials by the leaders in Assessment for Learning, Student Engagement, and Understanding by Design. These may include Anne Davies, Damian Cooper, Jay McTighe, and Grant Wiggins. I will search the Internet for exemplars, scoring rubrics, and ideas for meaningful performance tasks.


 * 4. SMART Goal:**

By the end of May 80% of my grade three students will be able to write a Math story problem and analyze the problem using an assessment created by the class.


 * 5. Develop Action Plan:**

In Grade 3 Math I will practice setting criteria for story problems with my students using the four step process as outlined by Anne Davies: 1. Brainstorm 2. Sort and Categorize 3. Make a T-Chart with Criteria/Specific Details 4. Add, revise, and refine The students will use the criteria in writing story problems, analyzing exemplars, and creating assessments. They will understand what quality looks like, be able to assess their own learning, and set goals for what they need to learn.
 * //Setting Criteria //**

 I will engage my students in their learning process to help them become better lifelong learners by targeting Grade Three Math story problems because in learning to create good story problems they will also learn to solve story problems. The students and I will establish criteria for these performance tasks, create and analyze exemplars, and use assessments to help students figure out where they are at and where they need to get to.
 * 6. Implement Action Plan:**


 * 7. Reflective Summary**

I will create a wiki to record the processes, criteria we have set, exemplars, and sample assessments. I will collect evidence of learning by keeping portfolios of all drafts and final copies of their performance tasks along with the criteria, exemplars, and assessments created and used with each student. I will keep exemplars of student work for future use. I will share samples from the portfolios with my colleagues. If successful, I will continue to use this process in as much student learning as possible.