Evaluation
Classroom Observations
As students work on the different components of this project (research, writing, creating, publishing), classroom observations will take place. I will record these observations digitally by student name and/or student groups. I will be looking to see that the students are applying the lessons that I have taught to the newspaper project. More specifically, this means I will be zoning in on the research portion, as this is one of the big ideas of the project. I am hoping to see my students evaluating Internet sources and determining which Internet links best matches the information they are looking to find.
Student Conferences
Because students will be collaborating with others and working in small groups, I will be checking in with these small groups to see how the project is progressing. Since each group's final newspaper will be different, it is important as the teacher to meet with the groups individually to see the progress and help the group problem solve any issues that may arise. In addition, this will help me determine the timeline of the project and if any reteaching or future teaching needs to take place in order for the students to be successful.
Student Self-Assessment Checklist
During and after the project, students will engage in self-assessment using a checklist. This checklist will be based on the different skills and objectives that were included in the project. The checklist will include the big ideas of the project, such as using the Internet to research a variety of sources, writing, editing and revising the information using main idea and details, and publishing the student-written stories in a newspaper for the community to read. As students prepare to publish their work, they will return to the checklist and reassess themselves, making sure to share their best work with the community. Additionally, the checklist will help the students and each group stay focused on the main goals of the project.
Final Evaluation Rubric
A final evaluation rubric will be used to assess each newspaper. Each student will be evaluated on how well they collaborated with their group, as collaboration was an important aspect of this project. The newspaper will also be evaluated based on the quality of research that was conducted, note taking skills, organization of information, writing of the new stories, design of the newspaper infographic, and the final overall product.
Teacher Journal
While students will have an opportunity to reflect on their work through self-assessment, it is important that as the teacher, I take some time to reflect on this project as well. To do this, I will use a journal to record any thoughts I have while the students are working on the project. As the work progresses, there are strengths and weaknesses of the project that will be worth noting and thinking more deeply about. A journal will catch all of these thoughts and help improve my instruction in the future.
As students work on the different components of this project (research, writing, creating, publishing), classroom observations will take place. I will record these observations digitally by student name and/or student groups. I will be looking to see that the students are applying the lessons that I have taught to the newspaper project. More specifically, this means I will be zoning in on the research portion, as this is one of the big ideas of the project. I am hoping to see my students evaluating Internet sources and determining which Internet links best matches the information they are looking to find.
Student Conferences
Because students will be collaborating with others and working in small groups, I will be checking in with these small groups to see how the project is progressing. Since each group's final newspaper will be different, it is important as the teacher to meet with the groups individually to see the progress and help the group problem solve any issues that may arise. In addition, this will help me determine the timeline of the project and if any reteaching or future teaching needs to take place in order for the students to be successful.
Student Self-Assessment Checklist
During and after the project, students will engage in self-assessment using a checklist. This checklist will be based on the different skills and objectives that were included in the project. The checklist will include the big ideas of the project, such as using the Internet to research a variety of sources, writing, editing and revising the information using main idea and details, and publishing the student-written stories in a newspaper for the community to read. As students prepare to publish their work, they will return to the checklist and reassess themselves, making sure to share their best work with the community. Additionally, the checklist will help the students and each group stay focused on the main goals of the project.
Final Evaluation Rubric
A final evaluation rubric will be used to assess each newspaper. Each student will be evaluated on how well they collaborated with their group, as collaboration was an important aspect of this project. The newspaper will also be evaluated based on the quality of research that was conducted, note taking skills, organization of information, writing of the new stories, design of the newspaper infographic, and the final overall product.
Teacher Journal
While students will have an opportunity to reflect on their work through self-assessment, it is important that as the teacher, I take some time to reflect on this project as well. To do this, I will use a journal to record any thoughts I have while the students are working on the project. As the work progresses, there are strengths and weaknesses of the project that will be worth noting and thinking more deeply about. A journal will catch all of these thoughts and help improve my instruction in the future.