Authentic Rubrics & Learning Progression

Learning Progression

This sounds far more complicated than it really is.  Learning progression can be the whole year (scope & sequence) or by standard (proficiency scale).

Whole Year-- Students are given math trackers in their data binder to keep track of their pre-test and post-test of all of the math standards throughout the whole year.  After they have done all of the prerequisite standards, they are allowed to pick which standards they would like to work on.

Above each unit, they chart their pre-test on that standard or group of standards.  When they take their pre-test, they know which activities they have to complete (Level 1, 2, 3, or 4--We will get into next.)

Proficiency Scales-- Proficiency Scales break the standard down into Level 3- The standard, Level 2- Near the Standard, Level 1- Only done with help from teacher, or Level 4- Above the standard.  For example:

It is easiest to start with a three and work your way down or up depending on the standard.

Created by: Jason Kraeger (Pinehurst Elementary School)

Learning Plans-- The next step is aligning activities to each part of the proficiency scale.  This will allow students to use their pre-test scores to work in the level of learning that they need.  For example, if they score a 2 on a pre-test, then they only work on level 3 activities.

You can also incorporate learning styles and activities to allow the students to choose which activities will align to their learning styles.

Inquiry-Based Learning-- Students are allowed to work in cooperative groups (GROUP SOP needed for this) and students will work through their trackers that incorporate unpacking, webquest, aligned activities, assessments, project based, etc.

Unit of Study where students can keep track of the proficiency scale, assessment data, & activities from tracker.

 Tracker

After the assessment, students can either do reinforcement or application tasks depending on what score they received.  Score 1 or 2- Reinforcement of Standard  Score 3 or 4- Application of Standard

Science/ELA are combined through the entire learning unit.

Next post-- Authentic Learning

Student-Centered Classroom/ Student Agency

Student Agency

The entire essence of Personalized Learning derives from creating an educational situation where the students control most aspects of their learning and their environment.  Student agency, when done effectively, should last throughout the rest of the student's life.  Check out the students perspective from this article:  'Student Agency' is Not Something You Give or Take by:  Andrew Rikard.  We all dream of a classroom that can essentially run itself, fostering student agency will truly make that happen.  Now the question is HOW to we empower students and trust that they make decisions that will yield the best educational outcome?

1.  Environment and Culture & Climate posts have already focused on how students have input to who they want their classroom to look, feel, and sound.  We display our current Shared Vision, Code of Cooperation, & Behavior Matrix and refer to it when needed.

Up Close View of Behavior Matrix

We additionally make new SOPs when problems arise in the classroom.

2.  Learning--- So, how does this transfer to learning?!  When we first started, we did not see the immediate connection between the culture and climate & learning.  But when students have options in their environment, it is easier for them to make good choices when you give them choices during learning experiences.  We first start off by doing a learning inventory to see who the students learn best.  There are multiple ones out there, just find one that works for you.  Then you can create activities for students do choose from based on their preferred learning style.

3.  Self-Paced--- Self-Pacing is one of my student's favorites.  They are allowed to create their own schedule during the day and set meeting times for group and collaborative projects.  This is something I did not attempt to tackle for almost two years but it is one of the student's favorite.  Even better, it makes sub-plans REALLY easy! 

Next Blog Post-- Student Learning Progressions