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Tools for Thoughtful Assessment: Explaining Solutions

Sarah Thorpe

6th Grade Math Teacher/Deeper Learning Couch

Lee County Middle High School

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Challenges in the Classroom

  • Foundational skills to build on

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  • Understanding math vocabulary

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  • Writing and verbalizing accurate descriptions

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  • Using vocabulary to explain reasoning

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Why these challenges?

  • Gaps between developmental writing skills and application of knowledge

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  • Critical thinking deficits

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  • Strong teaching strategies

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  • Structural family support missing

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  • Unidentified learning disabilities

Reading.com

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Addressing Challenges

  • Explaining Solutions, Tools for Thoughtful Assessment, pg. 90

Tools for Thoughtful Assessment, Copyright 2012 by Silver Strong Associates

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Strengths of the Tool

  • Enhances proficiency of vocabulary
  • Broadens vocabulary cache
  • Utilizes critical thinking skills
  • Develops writing skills and handwriting
  • Solving and explaining word problems in Math
  • Increases focus and retention
  • Boosts confidence
  • Identifies deficits
  • Allows for reflection of understanding
  • Provides room for feedback
  • Increased performance
  • Bridges gaps between writing and application across subjects

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Research in Action

I will use the Explaining Solutions tool to increase the amount of math terminology and the accuracy of solution in descriptive reasoning processes

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Goals for Utilizing Explaining Solutions

  • Increased use of Mathematical vocabulary when explaining reasoning

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  • Accurate descriptions and use of words

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  • Development of fundamental writing skills

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  • Deeper understanding of subject

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  • Applicable critical thinking skills

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  • Accurate solutions

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Implementation of Tool

  • When:
    • Utilize strategy in the first two weeks of February
  • Frequency:
    • Every day for 2 weeks

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  • Students will solve a word problem and explain their reasoning using as many accurate Mathematical vocabulary words as possible and correct sentence structure
  • Record data by tallying number of vocabulary words used in explanation when used accurately to describe their solution or understanding

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  • Discuss anonymous examples with class for feedback

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  • Privately read through explanations daily for next steps and assessment

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Assessment of Tool

  • Observe measurable data

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  • Graph measurable data

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  • Share measurable data with co-workers and deeper learning coaches

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  • Reflect on problem areas, improvements, and successes

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  • Implement changes

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Style of Questioning

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Student Response Examples from Experimental Group

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Results of Data

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Interpreting the Results…

  • Students who took a vested interest increased their use of accurate math terminology to explain their reasoning by up to 5 terms per response

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  • Implementation of this tool is vital for engaging and applying knowledge

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  • This tool works in conjunction with Bloom's Taxonomy and increases skill level and proficiency of critical thinking ability in students

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  • Explaining Solutions tool works!

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