The Process

The process in which students move from unknowing to knowing in any subject is important right now.  How the student used their skills to arrive at the answer shows the teacher far more about what they have learned and what they still need to know than just an answer.

Recently a fifth grader in my school took a math test and failed miserably.  He was the only one out of the entire class to receive these results. He is at a Tier III and we have seen on many occasions that when he has one to one support or takes a test without support but in a environment where he is alone he does well.  So, he was given a chance to retake the test.  He took the test with a substitute paraprofessional that was instructed to give no help.  The results were amazing.

Not only did he score an A on the test, he showed the process.  He wrote his explanation of front end estimation as he explained it to the substitute who had not seen our new math curriculum.  The classroom teacher and other members on the team learned at our RTI (SRBI) meeting that this student has many skills, but his inability to focus in the classroom setting prevents him for showing his knowledge. 

So as I read Kathy Cassidy's book, Connected from the Start I began to make my own connections.  I followed her link to Common Craft. I watched how this could provide tools for students to show what they have learned.  Although it is something a teacher would have to pay for I like the concept and will continue to see what it can offer my students.  Perhaps there is something similar that may work for my students as well.  While the writing process and math process are easier to see from pencil and paper.  Assessing learning of the lesson Cassidy refers to on teaching needs and wants could be shown using this type of media.  I think many social studies lessons in the early grades could benefit from this technology.