Igniting Reflective Thinking to Change Instruction

Houston ISD

Presented by:Angela Miller, Manager Secondary Social Studies Curriculum

amiller2@houstonisd.org and

Montra Rogers, Curriculum Specialistmrogersw@houstonisd.org

Learning Targets

Student Friendly Objectives

Learning Targets

Structuring Formative

Assessment

Activating Prior

Knowledge

Providing Clarity to

Lesson Activities

Twin Sins of Lesson

Planning

Activity-focused Teaching

Coverage-based

Teaching

Learning Targets: Key Questions

What is the point?

What are the big ideas and important skills to be developed?

Do students know what the learning targets are?

To what extent does the evidence of learning reflect WORTHWHILE standards?

What enduring understandings will emerge from the lesson?

Without clear learning targets, we cannot…

know if assessment aligns with what we

taught.

identify what students know and are able to

do effectively.

monitor and adjust instruction.

give detailed, descriptive feedback to

students.

provide students with structures for self-

assessment and goal setting.

select instructional strategies that help

students achieve learning targets.

Identifying Learning Targets

What does the objective want students to know

and be able to do?

Are your targets clear with respect to what students should learn and be able

to do?

Are your targets in terms students will understand?

Student Friendly ObjectivesGrade 8 Early American History Learning Targets Unit 1: Thirteen Colonies

Pre-Assessment: On a scale of 1 to 4 rank what you know about this learning targetPost-Assessment: On a scale of 1 to 4 rank your current level of confidence about this content

Learning Target Pre-Assess

Post-Assess Evidence

Using the ESP categories [Economic, Social/Cultural, Political], I can give at least one reason in each category why Europeans came to North America.Using Jamestown and Plymouth as examples, I can compare the ESP (economic, social/cultural, and political) reasons for founding these first 2 colonies.I can analyze and explain how the physical environment (physical geographic factors) and people (human geographic factors) affected the settlement of Jamestown and Plymouth.I can identify the religious reasons behind the Pilgrims settling Plymouth. I can compare land and climate (physical characteristics) of the New England, Middle, and Southern regions. I can also compare the groups of people (human characteristics) who came to each region in terms of how they made a living.I can describe how the environment in the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies affected where and how people lived and made a living.

Houston Independent School District1:1 Computer Initiative

Why Are We Doing This…

"...It is important for the educational system to make parallel changes in order to fulfill its mission in society, namely the preparation of students for the world beyond the classroom. Therefore, the educational system must understand and embrace...21st century skills within the context of rigorous academic standards."

—McREL & Metiri Group, 2010

Where We Started…

In January 2013, HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier proposed a plan to provide every high school student with a laptop computer as a 21st century learning tool. “With anytime–anywhere learning, our students will have the world at their fingertips,” he said. “We will make sure they learn skills that complement technology in order to prevent them from being replaced by technology.

Initial Planning Phase• A committee of district teachers, principals, and various

central-office departments, including instructional technology, curriculum, and professional development began six months of planning and development for implementation of PowerUp pilot program beginning in July 2013.

• School visits to successful 1:1 and Bring Your Own Device districts across the nation to research “what works in schools.”

• Identification of online content and available digital tools to include in the roll out.

Analyzing Test Items – a Process

Just the facts…What factual information does a student need to know?

What skill is involved in answering this question?

What are the implications for instruction in my class…in the Social Studies department? [This is not about what but about how…]

Grade 8 item #14 34% correct

USH #20 32%

AP PLC Initiative