Point-Less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading

Point-Less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading

by Sarah M. Zerwin
ISBN-10:
0325109516
ISBN-13:
9780325109510
Pub. Date:
03/31/2020
Publisher:
Heinemann
ISBN-10:
0325109516
ISBN-13:
9780325109510
Pub. Date:
03/31/2020
Publisher:
Heinemann
Point-Less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading

Point-Less: An English Teacher's Guide to More Meaningful Grading

by Sarah M. Zerwin

Paperback

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Overview

From the Foreword by Cris Tovani:

"Sarah Zerwin has written the book I desperately needed to help my beliefs about learning match my assessment practices. In Point-Less, she nudges teachers to consider how traditional forms of grading get in the way of student growth. Her pioneering ways of marking, collecting, and sharing student work shows teachers how to assess with fidelity and in ways that serve student learning. Instead of assigning random points to student tasks, she demonstrates how teachers can provide students with concise, descriptive data that serves as meaningful and specific feedback.

'Inside this book, teachers will find:

- online resources rife with tools and examples to manage feedback
- ways to harness the electronic grade book as a useful instructional tool
- frameworks that guide student and teacher feedback
- checklists to simplify convoluted rubrics.

'Sarah addresses every grading obstacle one could think of. She provides ways to navigate objections that parents, athletic directors, administrators, colleagues, colleges, and even students might have with this innovative way of reporting grades.

'It's exciting to think how instruction could change if teachers weren't compelled to evaluate everything students did for the mere purpose of putting points in the grade book. Are you ready to find your path to a better way of grading? Are you ready to lead students on this journey to becoming better readers, writers, and thinkers? If so, you are going to love Point-Less!"—Cris Tovani


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780325109510
Publisher: Heinemann
Publication date: 03/31/2020
Pages: 192
Sales rank: 283,683
Product dimensions: 7.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range: 11 - 17 Years

About the Author

Sarah M. Zerwin is a high school English teacher at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. In over 20 years in the classroom, she has taught high school in a variety of settings as well as methods courses to college students. A national presenter, Sarah also works with teachers through the Colorado Writing Project. She seeks the best ways to invite her students to read and write for reasons that matter to who they are as human beings.

Table of Contents

Foreword viii

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xiv

Chapter 1 Acknowledge the Problems with Points 1

Points-Based Grading Gets in the Way of Student Learning 3

How Did We Get Here? 10

We Can Choose a Different Path to Grades 12

Interlude Semester Grade Letter by Izzy, Grade 12, AP English Literature and Composition 16

Chapter 2 Establish Clear and Meaningful Learning Goals 18

Decide What You Value Most 20

Take a Close Look at What's Required 23

Write a Clear, Simple List of Learning Goals 26

Interlude Semester Grade Letter by Ella, Grade 6, English Language Arts 33

Chapter 3 Plan the Work Students Will Do 35

Consider the Mismatch Between Tasks Focused on Products and Learning Goals 37

Determine What Students Need to Practice to Meet Learning Goals 40

Repurpose Traditional Accountability Measures to Better Support Readers and Writers 43

Imagine New Possibilities That Hold Students Accountable for Learning 46

Set Up Routines That Protect the Work Students Need to Do 51

Interlude Semester Grade Letter by Elena, Grade 12, AP English Literature and Composition 58

Chapter 4 Create a Classroom Culture of Feedback 61

Nurture a Positive Feedback Culture 61

Teach Students About Feedback 63

Share the Feedback Load with Your Students 67

Work More Efficiently When You Give Feedback 77

Interlude Semester Grade Letter by Kalliyan, Grade 12, AP English Literature and Composition 84

Chapter 5 Make the Learning Visible 87

Think of Your Grade Book as a Data Warehouse 90

Determine What Data You Need 93

Take Control of the Math Machine 101

Imagine What You Can Do with Your Grade Book 107

Interlude Semester Grade Letter by Jake, Grade 9, English Language Arts 117

Chapter 6 Invite Students to Set Goals and Reflect on Their Growth 119

Focus on Behaviors That Support Learning 123

Set Individual Learning Goals 125

Imagine What Success Looks Like 127

Map Out a Plan 128

Track the Learning 133

Interlude Semester Grade Letter by Ben, Grade 12, Senior Literature, Composition, and Communication 142

Chapter 7 Determine a Final Grade 145

Establish Clear Guidelines 146

Create a Single Document for Students' Reflections 150

Prepare Students to Write the Stories of Their Learning Journeys 154

Interlude Semester Grade Letter by Aracely, Grade 12, Senior Literature, Composition, and Communication 165

Afterword 167

Bibliography 172

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