Grading by the StandardsCarrie Toth

NBCT World Languages other than English

Carlyle High School

somewheretoshare.comsenoracmt@gmail.com@senoraCMT on Twitter

Language Acquisition vs. Language Learning

Acquisition and Memorization take place in different parts of the brain.

We have to be realistic about the amount of language that our students can learn within the time constraints that we have.

ACTFL Standards

Standards Based Assessment

Grading includes ONLY those activities that reflect students’ proficiency in language.

Grade is divided into categories or “standards” so that students are able to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Assessments are divided by category, not a lump grade for all skills.

Summative vs. Formative assessments

Formative assessments should not penalize students for not having acquired the current structures. They should be used as a guide for future instruction.

Summative assessments should be given after it is certain that 80% of students are at an 80% proficiency on current material.

Are we expecting the right things? http://

opi-adrenaline2012.wikispaces.com/My+OPI+Top+Ten

Standards Reading Writing Speaking Listening Culture Vocabulary Grammar/Structures

Homework? Participation?

Percentages may vary but: Reading and Listening reflect students’

understanding of the language and are important skills so I value them at 25% each in level one, 20% each in level 2, and 15% each in levels 3 and 4.

Writing and Speaking reflect students’ ability to produce language and are the highest level skills so I value them at 15% each in level one, 20% each in level 2, and 25% each in levels 3 and 4.

Grammar and Vocabulary knowledge are less important but essential parts of language learning so I value them at 5% each.

Cultural knowledge is also a component of my program and I value it at 10%

SPANISH 1 SPANISH 2 SPANISH 3 SPANISH 4

Reading 25% 20% 15% 15%

Listening 25% 20% 15% 15%

Speaking 15% 20% 25% 25%

Writing 15% 20% 25% 25%

Culture 10% 10% 10% 10%

Vocabulary choice

5% 5% 5% 5%

Grammar/Structure

5% 5% 5% 5%

Ideas for assessment Listening:

› Songs› Podcasts› Commercials› Re-tells of class stories› Audio books› Newscasts

www.zachary-jones.com/zambombazo› Music videos› Stories using current vocabulary

Reading News stories (appropriately adapted by

level) Chapters of novels Classroom stories Articles from student magazines like

Scholastic’s Articles from People or other Spanish

magazines Cartoons Websites with train schedules, menus,

and other authentic resources.

Write down the story that you told in class and have students read it. Circle as you go.

Use novels by TPRS Publishing or any TPRS friendly type of reading material.

Have a reading library in your classroom.

Give FVR time. Bring in magazines!!!

(shameless plug)TPRS Publishing Novels

Speaking Google voice Re-tells Classroom discussions Debates Pecha Kuchas AUTHENTIC tasks with the current

vocabulary. Stolen from Paul Sandrock… Diagram

of 4 squares as discussion prompt.

Writing Re-tells Summaries Captions Persuasive- Express your opinion on a

given topic. Informative Story to storybook Comparative Write a letter, email, blog post, tweet a

friend

Structures Vocabulary and Culture

Look at these three as part of the other assessments.

As a summative assessment of structures studied, give a writing assignment of telling a story based on pictures. Grade categories include use of new vocabulary, correctness of structures, and ease of expression.

Use novels as a curriculum Develop cultural units with novels as

the center.› Choose structures based on the grammar

introduced in the novel.› Pre-teach all vocabulary and cultural

knowledge needed to get students invested in the novel study.

› Vary activites as you read because brains crave novelty!

STUDYING THE NOVEL

Front load grammar and culture. Ask a lot of personalized questions with the

vocabulary. Use the vocab in class discussions. Cultural lessons. Film studies.

MAKE READING REALISTIC: It’s a novel and your kids may just want to read it for enjoyment. If you test, aim for performance based assessments rather than reading comprehension quizzes.

Stop and talk about how students feel!

Act out scenes

Connect to the characters.

About me/Contact me ctoth@clinton.k12.il.us somewheretoshare.wordpress.com Follow me on Twitter @senoraCMT