The year I did my student teaching was a trial year for Lucy
Calkins. The year I started teaching Lucy Calkins was being used by all the
teachers. The format of the Calkins
Units is all I really know as a teacher.
In this way, the Calkins Units have not changed how I teach but formed
my teaching. Having students turn and
talk was something I often saw in observations of other teachers and before I
started teaching and in my student teaching.
When I first started using the Calkins Units is when I fully understood the
reasoning behind them. Not just to get students
talking to each other, but for the teacher to be able to listen in on what
multiple students were thinking, instead of getting an answer from one student
in a group discussion.
Another aspect of the Calkins Units that I started using last
year and plan to use this year is the sample student work. The students are able to use a rubric and
grade work. This has helped my students
to better understand the rubric and what is expected in their work.
Amelia,
ReplyDeleteThere are so many pieces and resources in the units. Last year, my first year, I truly did not use anything but the mini lesson guides and sticky notes. I am starting to use the rubrics with my students during the writing workshop and after reading your response it reminded me of the student samples. I have access to my reading units on line, but not the writing units, something I need to find out how to access.
Traci,
DeleteThe writing does not have the code in the book like the reading units do. I got the code from Karen in one of the books she has to register my writing units to get the online resources. I am sure Karen or Lindy have the book and code you need to register your writing units as well. They are very helpful and have all the pre- and post assessments, rubrics, and the sample writing pieces easily accessible.
I like your idea of using student work as a tool to assess and grade work. That will help the students to get a better sense of the learning progressions, and based on their grading and discussion, you can get a better sense of their understanding. I have been using sticky notes and having students discuss with their partners where on the progression they would place theirs and why, but I want to create a more concrete formative assessment for them to show their understanding of the learning progressions and topics from the unit.
ReplyDelete