Improving Adolescent Literacy through Discovering Students’ Strengths and Skills Presented by Brian Jeffrey, M. Ed.,  National Board Certified Teacher Los Osos High School  Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Time to Take a Quiz Directions: What is the object you see on the yellow post-it before you? You have ten seconds to write your answer. Go! Correct answer... Every answer is correct. Learn to think … and teach different. “Yes, I know it’s supposed to be an adverb, blame Apple.

Let’s Play Some Games Black Magic SnapsSnaps Going to the Moon Get students thinking critically! In My World How to find your students strengths?

How do you think the way you do? Improving Adolescent Literacy through Discovering Students’ Strengths and Skills In small groups, briefly interpret and discuss the following painting. Be sure to give reasons for the thought process that lead you to your interpretation

Now get into a different small group with entirely new members. Then, determine which of the following four items does not belong. In your group, discuss your answer. You must have 100% agreement on your answer. Each person must then write down the agreed upon answer. Next, be ready to read it to the class by explaining the thought process and debate that brought your group to its answer.

Higher Order Thinking Skills Lower Order Thinking Skills Creativity Bloom’s Taxonomy 4/A3/B2/C1/KB` Write one sentence explaining what you did well according to the skill being learned using the language of Bloom’s taxonomy. Then, write one more sentence explaining what you could do better or differently next time and how you could move up one level on Bloom’s Taxonomy. Write one sentence explaining what you did well according to the skill being learned using the language of Bloom’s taxonomy. Then, write one more sentence explaining what you could do better or differently next time and how you could move up one level on Bloom’s Taxonomy. Student Directions for Written Evaluation

Sample Assignments Reading Response Zone Assignments Recipes and baking Interpretive Dance YouTube Videos Original Songs Sculpture Artwork Original Stories Podcasts T-Shirts Photography Architectural Models Clothing Poetry Comedy Routines Speeches Computer Animation MySpace or Facebook Cell Phone Video How do they evaluate it? They use a rubric based on Bloom’s Taxonomy… …and apply it to a formative assessment scale.

Score 4.0 In addition to Score 3.0 performance, in- depth inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught Score 3.0 No major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and/or processes (simple or complex) that were taught Score 2.0 No major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details, but major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes Score 1.0 With help, a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes and some of the more complex ideas and processes Why use formative assessment? Generic Scale for Formative Assessment Formative Assessment Source: Marzano, Designing and Teaching Leader Goals & Objectives

Reading Response Zone  Analytical Mind Diagram Analytical Mind Diagram  Culture Cube Culture Cube  Cornell Notes Cornell Notes  Dramatic Structure Dramatic Structure  Elements of Fiction Elements of Fiction  Four Column Journal QAP Four Column Journal QAP  Four Column Journal SCE Four Column Journal SCE  Four Square Four Square  Haiku 4 U Haiku 4 U  Headline Headline  One Pager One Pager  Open Mind Diagram Open Mind Diagram  Textbook Rubric Textbook Rubric  Two Column Journal Two Column Journal  Upstairs/Downstairs Upstairs/Downstairs  Venn Notes Venn Notes  Window Window Download from mrjeffrey.com

For Support Materials Teaching Zone Reading Response Zone mrjeffrey.com I need to remember to steal things from this web site!

Schedule a department or district workshop today! Brian Jeffrey Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA Work Phone: , extension 2337 Cell Phone: Web Page: mrjeffrey.com Brian Jeffrey Los Osos High School 6001 Milliken Ave Rancho Cucamonga, CA Work Phone: , extension 2337 Cell Phone: Web Page: mrjeffrey.com CONTACT INFO