Handouts are available below.   Big Idea How do we set up a Standards-Based grade book that reflects the standards but isn’t time consuming to assess and report on? Answer: form categories that combine similar or overlapping standards.   Episode Notes Here are a couple of big ideas from the video: A Standards-Based Grading marks…

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Handouts are available below.   Big Idea In the world of assessment, just because teachers assess standards using rubrics and not content using traditional grading methods (ie. points scored on a test) doesn’t make Standards-Based Grading (SBG) any less effective. In fact, SBG is meant to assess things that traditional grading doesn’t typically address –…

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Handouts are available below.   Big Idea Ever thought of using wordles in the classroom? They’re great for helping students review key terms and vocabulary for a chapter. I’ve used them as a bellringer to review key terms, and kids have enjoyed them a lot.    Episode Notes Here are a couple of big ideas…

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Handouts are available below.   Big Idea Are you concerned that students will just automatically achieve proficient when using Standards-Based Grading? Recently, one teacher asked if I used a bell curve when I’m using SBG so that not every student is proficient. No, I don’t use bell curves; instead, I ensure SBG is rigorous.   …

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Handouts are available below. Big Idea Do you “do” Standards-Based Grading by giving an end-of-year science skills test? I’ve heard of some departments who are doing that. Truth is, end-of-year skills tests aren’t Standards-Based Grading.    Episode Notes Here are a couple of big ideas on how end-of-year skills tests aren’t Standards-Gased Grading: In SBG,…

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Handouts are available below. Big Idea Are you concerned that science teachers aren’t assessing and giving feedback on content knowledge accurately if they’re using standards based grading? Today, I want to show a sample biology test I created that demonstrates how we can do both – assess content AND competency at the same time.  …

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Handouts are available below. Big Idea One critique of Standards Based Grading is that it’s really hard for a student to get an A in it. Actually, it’s not that much harder or different than achieving an A in traditional grading. So, what’s an A in SBG? Answer: An A is Proficient.   Episode Notes…

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Handouts are available below. Big Idea What does Standards-Based Grading look like in the real world? Seeing how SBG is done in the workplace – for example, in the business world with regards to employee reviews – can give educators insights as to how to structure their own rubrics and standards. That is what we’ve…

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Handouts are available below. Big Idea In Standards Based Grading, teachers assess student mastery of skills using a proficiency scale (ie. rubric). But, one thing teachers struggle with is how to convert an overall percentage – which they get from assignments and tests – to a rubric. In other words, what would a student’s proficiency…

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Handouts are available below. Big Idea Do you watch science videos in class? Of course you do. But, what do you do after watching the video? How do you get students to respond to it? In this post (and video – see above), I share three activities I use to get my students to connect…

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