For this unit, there were five means that students could use to demonstrate learning: bluebook journals, SAT writing, structured in-class conversations, weekly performances, and the final unit essay.
(1) Bluebook Samples
Students were tasked with keeping bluebook journals that contained answers to in-class questions as well as character charts. They had 3-4 assignments per week in the journals, which were collected on a random day each week an assessed for a reading comprehension/quiz grade. See some samples below:
From an L1 ELL
Insightful Work Became the Norm for Several Students
(2) SAT Writing
For a couple student samples, see the Evidence portion of the Growth in Student Learning Section, all the way at the bottom.
(3) Structured In-Class Conversations
One formative assessment strategy involved putting students into heterogeneous groups of 3-4, giving them a key passage to close-read, allowing them time to brainstorm/write down ideas, and then having them share out. I call this process “First Responder,” since all the other groups could be called on to offer a first response to the commentary of the starting group. We then proceed to other groups. See a clip of this below:
See the passages and short-hand directions: Streetcar First Responder
(4) Weekly Performances
See the Video & Commentary portion of this section.
(5) Final Unit Essays
I saw dramatic improvement in essays from previous units. I was first impressed that 15 students turned in essays on time, over the 6 from the previous unit. I was also impressed that they integrated quotes better, analyzed more effectively, and used academic vocabulary. My students really impressed me on their ability to think deeply, and a few examples are found below.
First, an ELL student who grew exponentially this year and is now in line to take AP English next year:
Next, a student on an IEP who worked exceedingly hard on her essay. This student crafted an original thesis that she was proud of, one that pushed her to the point of tears during rough draft writing. But she persevered:
Finally, a student who rarely spoke in class, but who sought me out not once, but five times to help revise her essay. The results speak for themselves:
Overall, every single student who turned in an essay earned a higher mark than their previous essay. They really did earn it!