Carey Bassett EDAT 6115

           There was a time when I thought assessments were just something to give for a grade. I honestly viewed them as a waste of limited instructional time. That was before I realized how much assessment could guide my instruction throughout the unit so that students met the learning objective by the summative assessment.           I have learned that assessment involves unpacking a standard, writing learning objectives, designing assessments that carefully gather information about where a student is performing in relation to a learning objective, and how to study assessment data in order to devise interventions and instructional adjustments that will increase learning outcomes. I have learned that assessments take many forms such as checklists, observational notes, essays, multiple choice items, tickets out the door, and more.           It takes a great deal of practice to colle...

           A high functioning classroom is like a well-oiled machine. An untold amount of decision-making and planning go into a classroom where expectations are clear, everything has its place, students are self-directed, and instructional time is maximized. These classrooms appear to operate with ease, but every detail is orchestrated and rehearsed, practiced and reinforced throughout the school year.           If I am honest, my first year of teaching was an accidental success. I did not know how I wanted procedures to look or what consequences I was prepared to implement when procedures were not followed. I didn't maintain consistency each and every day because I was just trying to figure it all out myself. My students were cooperative and motivated, so they were patient and receptive to my constant experimentation with how I wanted the classroom to look and run.           My sec...