Assessments

How do I assess student learning?
I assess student learning several ways. First and easiest, is to question students in such a way that in answering they are relating what they have learned and not just answering yes or no. Students ar thinking and applying what they have learned.
Another way is to give a formal assessment which generally covers a chapter or two. This assessment usually includes vocabulary words, multiple choice questions, short answer, and a discussion question.
Students will create a brochure that will include inforamtion that they have learned from the unit and research.
Students will respond to a survey at the beginning to give some initial insight for me as how much students know.
Along the way, I will assign tasks such as completing a cause and effect graphic organizer, timeline of events adn quizzes to check understanding.
In the end, after our field study to a battlefield, studnts will have a chance to blog abut how they feel about battlefield preservation. Thsi will provide them and opportunity to be honest about wht they have learned and put it in a perspective.

How do I invlove students in the assessment process?
Students will be involve in the assessment process by having to comment on a least one other student's blog perhaps offering a differing opinion.
In making the brochure students will have the rubric at the beginning to show them what is expected for the project.
I have really learned some new appraches durign this course.

Internet in my classes

The Internet is an amazing educational tool. Having taught for 33 years and thinking back to the old ways of research, the Internet is COOL! So much info is right handy! However, caution is necessary to monitor students for their safety and well-being. Planning is a must for students to understand and follow the rules.
My project will be to produce a brochure showing a Revolutionary War site in SC. Included in the brochure will be info on the site, historical importance, and what is happening at the site now. Another part will be to decide if this is worth the money and man power to continue to operate this site. A survey will be used to get feedback from the public adn incorporate that info into the brochure.

My instructional topic is the Revolutionary War. After a two week unit on studying the war students will go to the computer lab to complete a three- panel brochure using Publisher. The brochure will be about Revolutionary War battlefields mainly in SC and the status of them now.

Essential Question - Should the past be preserved for future generations?

Unit Question - How are Revolutionary War sites contributing to the understanding of hte American Revolution in teh twenty-first century?

Content questions
1. Why was the Revolutionary War fought?
2. Who fought in this war?
3. When was the war fought?
4. Who were some of the important people that were involved in the war?
5. Where were the major fronts in the war?
6. What were the strategies used in fighting the war?
7. How did geography, weather, or the environment contribute to outcomes of the various battles?
8. What kinds of weapons and fightign tactics were used in the fighting?
9. Locate some major battle sites using a map and Google Earth.
10. What were some major battle sites in SC and what were the results of these battles?
11. How did Francis Marion, thomas Sumter, and Andrew Pickens contribute to the war in SC?
12. How did the Back Country folks contribute to the war effort?
13. Describe what happened at the Battle of Fort Sullivan. Why ws this important?

So far I have learned how effective the format is in creating a unit. It makes sense. It does not waste time with nonessential items needed. I appreciate the time that we have to explore and then do certain parts of the project. My topic -Revolutionary War Sites, particularly in SC. My goal is to guide students to a better understanding of the importance of history around them and to make it relavent to their lives. I am getting used the idea of an essential question being the broad overall question for the unit. In the past we studied the focus or essential question as being a daily question to guide class. Even though it is different it is not that difficult to adjust.
BP