Get an in-depth understanding of how to create fun, engaging, and challenging performance assessments that require students to elaborate on content and demonstrate mastery of skills. This update of an ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) classic includes new scoring methods, reading assessments, and insights on navigating…

Discusses the use of performance assessment and portfolio assessment as viable means for assessing children's efforts. Provides the basis for using both performance assessment and portfolio assessment together in order to get a more authentic assessment of children's performance in the elementary classroom. Presents guidelines to facilitate this…

A framework based on a series of "instructional events" is presented for planning instruction. (JD)

Contends that only students with performance or composing abilities are given a chance to explore music in their education. Stresses the importance of teaching all students how to listen to music in an active, "minds-on" way instead of only teaching hands-on activities. Challenges the traditional music curriculum by refuting five myths…

In this article, the author compares teaching and learning to the maintenance of an old car that leaks oil and must constantly be "topped up." Learning is a complex process of taking in and leaking out. The retention of new information is constantly under assault by an array of personal and contextual factors, such as a lack of interest, fatigue,…

Explains the phrase "What is Assessment?". Lists the principles of assessment and includes standards and goals, trust, total campus commitment, constant and continuing assessment, and incorporation of assessment research into practice and policy as the ideal components of assessment practice. Recommends the use of scoring rubrics for student…

Points out the difficulties of student assessment based on classroom participation and recommends a rubric. (YDS)

This paper suggests: (1) how to increase the amount of practice that an athlete can work in during the day; and (2) ways to enhance practice for maximum performance gains. Research information about both physical and mental forms of practice are synthesized. (PP)

This book presents a new method for English Language Arts teachers to assess student learning using authentic assessment techniques. It instructs on the implementation of the processes of Hypothesizing and Testing on a one-on-one basis, in order to better understand how children learn. Section 1 ("What Is the Hypothesis-Test Process?")…

Contract learning is an alternative way of structuring a learning experience. Instead of specifying how a body of content will be transmitted (content plan), it specifies how a body of content will be acquired by the learner (process plan). Students identify problems or issues that are real for them and relevant to the course at hand, state…

Emphasizing that language arts and reading are "binding agents" for all kinds of learning and should be integrated throughout the elementary curriculum, the guiding philosophy of this book is that the best teachers are those who continue to learn along with their students. Each chapter in the book ends with a "Teacher as…

Effective teaching requires skill in implementing challenging and inviting curricular activities. It also involves evaluating children's learning in order to extend their development through the school year. Being able to implement and evaluate at the same time is at the heart of good teaching. Written for PreK-3 educators, this book blends…