Assessment for Learning

For assessment for learning to work, the classroom atmosphere must be one in which the
student feels respected and the teacher’s role is one as a collaborator. The classroom culture
should exemplify a non-threatening culture distinguished by a sense of trust between
teachers and students, respect, appreciation of differences, and transparency in the learning
objectives. Ideally, all members of the class understand that learning is a collaborative

partnership and they work together to see that all continuously learn.

Characteristics of Effective Instruction

Student-centered Classroom
Teaching for Learner Differences
Assessment for Learning
Rigorous and Relevant curriculum
Teaching for Understanding

Characteristics of Effective Instruction

The MNW elementary professional development for 2010-11 focuses on the five characteristics of effective instruction.  In the months to come, this part of my blog will identify those characteristics and their benchmarks, define what they look like and present an example of how MNW Elementary is demonstrating those traits.  I look forward to reading your input on the characteristics themselves, the MNW classroom examples given below and even your examples of how you see these characteristics begin displayed through your eyes and the eyes of our children.




Characteristic #1 is having a 
Student Centered Classroom.
One benchmark of having a student-centered classroom is putting the learning in the hands of the learner - thus our students. The photo below shows two sixth grade students as they research a project using their social studies on-line textbook.  By choosing an on-line textbook instead of the traditional hard copy, students are encouraged to collaborate and cooperate at a new level with the teacher becoming more of a facilitator rather than the "stand in front of the room" director.

  

http://www.minddump.org/iowa-department-of-education-characteristics

Raising a Digital Native - Parent Webites

Need a few resources to help with the MNW school/parent partnership of raising a "new age" child.  Try some of these ideas: 

http://www.positive-parentsclub.com/CYBER_BULLYING.

http://www.education.com/

http://www.theideabox.com/

http://eduscapes.com/sessions/experience/young.htm

If you have a website that you would like to add to the list - feel free to pass it along!!!!