I am desperate for guidance on what type and the length of student samples to submit for Component 2 Literaxy Reading Language Arts. I have met with a mentor (who honestly does not know and just refers me back to website and tells me to call 1-800 number). I have been working g on an instructional unit on theme with upper grades. I have work sample...See MoreI am desperate for guidance on what type and the length of student samples to submit for Component 2 Literaxy Reading Language Arts. I have met with a mentor (who honestly does not know and just refers me back to website and tells me to call 1-800 number). I have been working g on an instructional unit on theme with upper grades. I have work samples showing the growth of the required one student in a constructed response question from literature we have read. I want to use these samples to document the child's growth in responding to a constructed response question on theme. The first response is only a couple of sentences and the second one showing the growth is a full paragraph. I can not get any clarity on whether or not this is correct. On page 5 of Component 2 Option B it says- select samples that reflect the student's ability to do different kinds of writing ( story summary, poem, story retell, original writing, report, poem, etc...) I am confused as to how am I supposed to show growth of a student if they are required to do different types of writing. If I could get some explicit guidance on what will be acceptable for the the beginning and ending work sample, it would be appreciated. Thank you
I certainly sense your frustration. Believe me, it's hard for a mentor to understand all the details of every certificate area and we all know that sometimes the Component directions are hard to decipher and interpret. Calling the 1-800 number can help in certain situations, but they wouldn't be able to respond specifically to your questions. They are office workers who are trained to know many of the "rules" of submission (format, length,etc.) but not the details of any particular certificate.
Mentors have to guard against candidates becoming too dependent on them for "answers", but I think I can provide some guidance for you - having worked with many LRLA candidates over the years. I may not have all the answers you seek either, but we'll give it a GO!
Essentially, in Component 2, the assessors are looking to see if you have implemented the Architecture of Accomplished Teaching, the red graphic found in the GENERAL Portfolio Instructions that is the NB version of an accomplished lesson/unit plan. The prompts are written to give you the opportunity to show you do those steps. Here is a user-friendly acronym to help you remember: SSTARS.
S=Students S=Set Goals T=Teach A=Assess R=Reflect S=Start Over
The type of assignments you describe in your post seem to me to be on track. Understanding "theme" is a broad topic that might be appropriate for your long-term goal because it will take place over time as a result of your teaching and the writing experiences you plan.
Let's say understanding theme is your long-term goal. You'll also need a short-term goal. Here you should get narrower and more specific. What are some elements of being able to identify and write about theme? See if you can come up with some specific skills a student would need.
Then analyze a baseline example of the student's writing to see which of those skills are lacking. This might be considered a basic assessment. It sounds like the response that's only a couple of sentences long would fill that bill.
Once you've done that, using your knowledge of that student, you plan lessons to teach those skills. The student revises and writes again, maybe using the same prompt, maybe a different one. You analyze and assess and plan the next short term goal - again one that will take the student further into understanding "theme".
Here is an opportunity to slightly change the type of writing to address the information on page 5. They want more than a baseline response to a prompt and a revision of the same prompt. They want to see that the learning can carry over into other types of writing - especially if you're working with older grade students. Make every effort to show more than 1 type of writing. Perhaps students (for the 2nd piece) could choose a theme, then write their own piece based on what they've learned (just ONE idea).
That said, when I look at the Scoring Rubrics, there is no mention of using different types of writing...so you can decide how important that is.
The thing is, that you can't submit ALL the writing a student does. Some of it you describe when you respond to the prompts. There are several prompts that allow you to do this. You can include some SHORT examples within the Written Commentary that will show the assessors the student's learning without submitting a work sample. For example, you might say something like: " After teaching ___, Susie revised her writing and added ___. When she was able to ___, I knew she had learned the skill."
You might submit that very first piece of work, then for the 2nd work sample, choose something from the last assignment.
Take special care to respond as in-depth as possible to any prompt that asks for how the assignment/your teaching connected to the reading/writing process. If you read the Scoring Rubrics, you will see that this particular aspect is VERY important and can impact a score greatly.
So I'm sure you still have questions, but I hope this helps at least some.
Keep asking questions to spur your thinking!
On 11/12/16, Hali wrote: > I am desperate for guidance on what type and the length > of student samples to submit for Component 2 Literaxy > Reading Language Arts. I have met with a mentor (who > honestly does not know and just refers me back to > website and tells me to call 1-800 number). I have been > working g on an instructional unit on theme with upper > grades. I have work samples showing the growth of the > required one student in a constructed response question > from literature we have read. I want to use these samples > to document the child's growth in responding to a > constructed response question on theme. The first > response is only a couple of sentences and the second > one showing the growth is a full paragraph. I can not get > any clarity on whether or not this is correct. On page 5 of > Component 2 Option B it says- select samples that > reflect the student's ability to do different kinds of writing ( > story summary, poem, story retell, original writing, report, > poem, etc...) I am confused as to how am I supposed to > show growth of a student if they are required to do > different types of writing. If I could get some explicit > guidance on what will be acceptable for the the beginning > and ending work sample, it would be appreciated. Thank > you
I am desperate for guidance on what type and the length of student samples to submit for Component 2 Literaxy Reading Language Arts. I have met with a mentor (who honestly does not know and just refers me back to website and tells me to call 1-800 number). I have been working g on an instructional unit on theme with upper grades. I have work sample...See MoreI am desperate for guidance on what type and the length of student samples to submit for Component 2 Literaxy Reading Language Arts. I have met with a mentor (who honestly does not know and just refers me back to website and tells me to call 1-800 number). I have been working g on an instructional unit on theme with upper grades. I have work samples showing the growth of the required one student in a constructed response question from literature we have read. I want to use these samples to document the child's growth in responding to a constructed response question on theme. The first response is only a couple of sentences and the second one showing the growth is a full paragraph. I can not get any clarity on whether or not this is correct. On page 5 of Component 2 Option B it says- select samples that reflect the student's ability to do different kinds of writing ( story summary, poem, story retell, original writing, report, poem, etc...) I am confused as to how am I supposed to show growth of a student if they are required to do different types of writing. If I could get some explicit guidance on what will be acceptable for the the beginning and ending work sample, it would be appreciated. Thank you
I am extremely nervous about the students writing pieces. I've read about what I need to do but it is not registering. Maybe it's because I'm nervous. Can you recommend anything to help me?
Your kids need to write a narrative piece and an expository piece. If you aren't clear on the difference between the two, then do some research. For both genres, the kids will write something - a first draft if you will. You will analyze their writing and then decide what skills you need to teach to help them do better on their next piece. You will teach the skills using whatever methods you have found effective: mini lessons, peer editing, small group work etc. Then the kids write again (same genre, often the same topic, but not always) and you again analyze to see if they improved on the skills you taught. They might OR might not. Whatever the outcome, you plan what is next: move on to another skill or reteach etc. You choose 2 students's work to feature. they can be the same 2 kids for each genre or different kids. You do that for both genres.
Essentially, the assessors are looking to see if you follow the steps on Architecture of Accomplished Teaching - the NB version of an accomplished lesson/unit plan. This can be found in the GENERAL portfolio directions. It's a red, helix graphic. Here is user friendly acronym to use: SSTARS
S = Students S = Set Goals T = Teach A = Assess R = Reflect S = Start Over
The prompts in the Written Commentary follow some (not all) of those steps, so your responses are the evidence.
If the kids don't make the progress you hoped for, don't panic. The assessors want to see what YOU DO to address that issue...that's the most important thing to explain in your writing.
I hope this helps you get started.
On 11/12/16, Julie wrote: > I am extremely nervous about the students writing pieces. > I've read about what I need to do but it is not registering. > Maybe it's because I'm nervous. Can you recommend > anything to help me?
On 11/10/16, Biophysteach wrote: > Finally...woohoo! > > Excited to get going on this last part...seems like they > released the "new" component 2 so long ago. > > Good luck to everyone trying to finish up under the new format > this year. > > On 11/10/16, NC SC wrote: >> Component 4 is POSTED! >> >> [link removed]
SWAnyone wanting to share what they are using for their unit objectives? My initial thoughts are very broad. Increase reading achievement as measured by reading text levels... (certification area-Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy)
I was wondering if there are any support groups available for Library Media National Board Certification? I saw the EC-Gen, but I am curious if there is anything in my certificate area.
I'm currently working on my Library Media Specialist (completed 1 and 3 in spring and working on 2 and 4 now) and have struggled to find any support groups. I would love to have someone else to bounce ideas off of. Email me, Hilary, at [email removed]
The rubric on Level 4 says that the teacher "helps students effectively apply feedback from assessments in ways that positively impact the students' learning...use assessment as a tool to take responsibility for their own learning."
I am trying to decide when and how to give students the self-assessment. 1. Should they complete the self-reflection-before or after they receive feedback on the formative assessment? It sounds like the description in the Level 4 rubric requires that students respond to some type of feedback in the self-assessment. In that case, they should do the self-assessment AFTER they have feedback. Is this correct? 2. Is it okay for students to consider feedback about their formative assessment from peers instead of me and then complete a self-assessment?
Here are the steps I am considering for peer feedback and then self-assessment- Students will... 1. receive feedback from peers first in the form of a checklist and suggestions 2. complete a self-assessment based on their peers' feedback as they re-examine their formative assessment 3. have the opportunity to make changes to their formative assessment 4. receive feedback from me in the form of a graded rubric I will... 1. plan and teach according to what the formative results show me are problems. 2. give students the summative assessment. It seems to me like these steps listed above allow students to best "evaluate their learning as well as identify ways to improve performance and understanding" that is mentioned on page 5 under the student self- assessment section.
One last question. Am I way off? Is this description in Level 4 referring to students applying feedback only from the formative to the summative rather than within the formative?
I know I tend to over complicate things, but it seems that my students have a deeper self-reflection after they peer edit.
On 11/11/16, aprice wrote: > I would love some help deciphering the Student Self- > Assessment required for the Formative Assessment. > > The rubric on Level 4 says that the teacher "helps > students effectively apply feedback from assessments in > ways that positively impact the students' learning...use > assessment as a tool to take responsibility for their own > learning." > > I am trying to decide when and how to give students the > self-assessment. > 1. Should they complete the self-reflection-before or > after they receive feedback on the formative assessment? > It sounds like the description in the Level 4 rubric > requires that students respond to some type of feedback > in the self-assessment. In that case, they should do the > self-assessment AFTER they have feedback. Is this > correct? > 2. Is it okay for students to consider feedback about > their formative assessment from peers instead of me and > then complete a self-assessment? > > Here are the steps I am considering for peer feedback and > then self-assessment- > Students will... > 1. receive feedback from peers first in the form of a > checklist and suggestions > 2. complete a self-assessment based on their peers' > feedback as they re-examine their formative assessment > 3. have the opportunity to make changes to their > formative assessment > 4. receive feedback from me in the form of a graded > rubric > I will... > 1. plan and teach according to what the formative results > show me are problems. > 2. give students the summative assessment. > It seems to me like these steps listed above allow > students to best "evaluate their learning as well as > identify ways to improve performance and understanding" > that is mentioned on page 5 under the student self- > assessment section. > > One last question. Am I way off? Is this description in > Level 4 referring to students applying feedback only from > the formative to the summative rather than within the > formative? > > I know I tend to over complicate things, but it seems > that my students have a deeper self-reflection after they > peer edit.
KimOn 11/11/16, Amy wrote: > Any idea of a more narrow window for score release than > before Dec 31, 2016? Typically, the scores are real eased the Friday before we get out for Thanksgiving-- if not sometime earlier that week.
I believe the NB strives to release scores the Saturday before or after Thanksgiving. This has happened often, but not always - as those who received scores last year can attest. I'm crossing my fingers for a November date, near Thanksgiving. But as far as I know, there have been no official "hints" narrowing down the date.
Patience!! (Easier said than done!)
On 11/11/16, Amy wrote: > Any idea of a more narrow window for score release than > before Dec 31, 2016?
On 11/09/16, aship005 wrote: > When completing the 2nd section for my certificate area, > there is a spot labeled "assignments and prompts" with 3 > pages for each narrative and expository. What are they > expecting other than the prompt? It says > "Instructional/supporting materials." Does this mean I > should focus on sheets that relate to grammar and > mechanics if that's what my students struggled with or > should I focus on a sheet that compliments the narrative > writing style? My students have a hard time with run on > sentences, but I don't know if this is the kind of > supporting material they want attached.
SMWhat can we do? I went online and found that Pearson is assessing all our entries and tests. This was my last year and I am devastated. On 11/07/16, AS wrote: > On 11/05/16, Teacher wrote: >> I have retaken the national boards. I absolutely know >> that I did a better job. I know I did very well on the >> computer test. I knew ...See MoreWhat can we do? I went online and found that Pearson is assessing all our entries and tests. This was my last year and I am devastated. On 11/07/16, AS wrote: > On 11/05/16, Teacher wrote: >> I have retaken the national boards. I absolutely know >> that I did a better job. I know I did very well on the >> computer test. I knew every answer. I worked with a NBPTS >> mentor who passed on the first try. But my score did not >> change. If there is no way for me to see my test then I >> feel compelled to seek out a lawyer. Does any one know of >> any legal attempts force NBPTS to show the test to an >> applicant. I know that it scored at least a 3.00. I know >> this. > > I too want to know what is happening. I scored 271 out of > 275. One answer was short .6 of a point. This last year was > my 3rd attempt. I KNOW my essays the second year were > stronger, but were formatted differently. I made minimal > progress on one entry, none on the other. This last year I > have been in an admin program with a 4.0 GPA, so I chose to > re-do a few of my assessments. knowing I needed to make > progress on two. I know my answers were stronger this year > than the previous year.
DITTO! I am freaking out as well. I KNOW I did better.
> On 11/07/16, AS wrote: >> On 11/05/16, Teacher wrote: >>> I have retaken the national boards. I absolutely know >>> that I did a better job. I know I did very well on the >>> computer test. I knew every answer. I worked with a NBPTS >>> mentor who passed on the first try. But my score did not >>> change. If there is no way for me to see my test then I >>> feel compelled to seek out a lawyer. Does any one know of >>> any legal attempts force NBPTS to show the test to an >>> applicant. I know that it scored at least a 3.00. I know >>> this. >> >> I too want to know what is happening. I scored 271 out of >> 275. One answer was short .6 of a point. This last year was >> my 3rd attempt. I KNOW my essays the second year were >> stronger, but were formatted differently. I made minimal >> progress on one entry, none on the other. This last year I >> have been in an admin program with a 4.0 GPA, so I chose to >> re-do a few of my assessments. knowing I needed to make >> progress on two. I know my answers were stronger this year >> than the previous year.
I certainly sense your frustration. Believe me, it's hard for a mentor to understand all the details of every certificate area and we all know that sometimes the Component directions are hard to decipher and interpret. Calling the 1-800 number can help in certain situations, but they wouldn't be able to respond specifically to ...See More