Performance time. In the 180 classroom, our work takes on two forms: practice and performance. Guided by our ten focus standards and corresponding learning targets, I provide practice opportunities that lead to performance opportunities. Practice presents kids with opportunities to work and grow from feedback. Performances present kids with opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the selected standard(s). In the end, I am looking for kids to “consistently” demonstrate proficiency; therefore, they will have multiple opportunities to prove proficiency. Today is their first opportunity to demonstrate proficiency with simple and compound sentences.

It is neither an overly complex nor difficult performance, and that is by design. It is the kids’ first go, and I am simply trying to take “formal” measure of where they are with simple and compound sentences, primarily focusing on subjects and predicates. As with all performances, it is open-resource, which means they can use their own self-generated “My Sources” or their teacher-generated “Sy Sources.” In the real world, people use resources. In my class, we use resources.

I will provide an overall performance score (3, 2, 1) and a sentence-level performance indicator (+, √, -). For both, the general approach is either they hit the target or they miss the target. For misses, I indicate a “near miss” or a “far miss.” On performances, I provide no comments. One, it’s about time. Two, it’s about kids having to take some responsibility for next steps. We will do a general follow-up as a class, where I will share some general feedback regarding “misses.” From there, I will ask kids to come to me for the things that are still not clear to them, then giving specific, individual feedback. All performances go in their portfolios as evidence for supporting self-selected grades at end of term.

I am eager to cheer my kids on today. I am eager to see if the practice and feedback are moving them along the path to proficiency. I am eager to learn, so I can do better.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns. Every day. Even on performance days. This is priority number one. Always.

…take the performance.

…reflect in Journey Journals.

…end on a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Wednesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.