Re: [LM_NET] TAR: Authentic Assessments in Literacy Instruction

[Barbara Braxton <barbara.288@BIGPOND.COM>]

Making the reason for the learning explicit to the learner is absolutely critical 
if we are to
connect to what they already know and help them make sense of the new learning, so 
authentic
assessment which demonstrates the application of what they have learned in a wider 
context is
imperative.

So to do this, we need to look at the 'big picture' understandings that are 
connected to the
learning - the things we want the kids to know, do, understand and appreciate three 
and five years
from now.   Using your example of reading aloud, this helps develop confidence, 
voice projection,
appropriate body language and the ability to connect with an audience.  BUT it 
should not be a test
of reading (except in a quiet 1:1 with the teacher) because the not-so-confident 
reader will only
learn that exposure of their lack of ability is to be feared because of the 
humiliation.  They will
be so focused on getting the reading right they won't absorb any of the big-picture 
stuff.

Similarly, why do we ask kids to do book reviews?  Because we want them to prove 
they have read a
book or because we want them to become critical judges of anything - movies, 
restaurants, products -
and to have the confidence to be able to put forth an opinion and argue and justify 
it?  But do the
kids know this?

I have just done a four week block as a substitute (I think that is the right word) 
and even with
the Kindergarten kids I would tell them "Today we are going to hear .. and act it 
out so we can have
fun with our language because language is fun."

Whenever it is practical and possible I explicitly tell the kids why they are 
learning/ doing
something so they see its purpose and I often asked them "How do you think we could 
demonstrate our
learning?" so they thought about what was an appropriate and practical solution. I 
am a firm
believer in the Wiggins and McTighe concept of Backwards by Design  which is 
essentially "What do I
want the students to know, do , understand and value  and how will they show me 
they do?"

Barbara

Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
COOMA NSW 2630
AUSTRALIA

E. barbara.288@bigpond.com
Together we learn from each other 

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