Reflect and Engage from Webinar 2
by Jennifer Bailey 5 years, 3 months ago1) What are common reasons for misalignment/incomplete alignment? As many have said, the wording that describes lessons/resources can be vague and only use key words from a standard, but never actually cover it.
2) How can the #GoOpenNC platform foster productive discussion about different viewpoints regarding resource alignment? It can offer many ways for educators to converse about lessons and use a specific rubric for educators to use to compare lessons to, in order to consider alignment of lessons.
3) How does (could) your PLC use alignment discussions in your planning cycles?
We could each find lessons and then bring them to our PLC groups and examine them for alignement. Often we do this and discuss what parts of the standards the lessons cover. But having a rubric to go by would make it easier.
Hi Jennifer, my name is Martha Levey and I'm a "super community member" and you are in my cohort. Welcome to the group. You are correct, this platform encourages converstaions and collaboration! Let me know if you have any questions or need any help!
Hi Martha! I'm glad to be working with you in this group! I look forward to learning about how to examine curriculum resources more closely! If I have any questions, I'll let you know! Thanks so much for reaching out to me! Jenny
1) What are common reasons for misalignment/incomplete alignment? As many have said, the wording that describes lessons/resources can be vague and only use key words from a standard, but never actually cover it.
I think that in World Languages there is less liklihood of misalignment or incomplete alignment. I think it is more likely that the level of the standard might be incorrect. The standards themselves are pretty clear.
2) How can the #GoOpenNC platform foster productive discussion about different viewpoints regarding resource alignment? It can offer many ways for educators to converse about lessons and use a specific rubric for educators to use to compare lessons to, in order to consider alignment of lessons.
In PLC´s I have had situations where we were given copies of anonymous student assignments and asked to grade them. We then discussed out grading in an effort to come up with the same type of grades and feedback for similar situations. I think this will work well for looking at rubrics also. Given the same documents and discussing why we chose a certain standard will help us evaluate with the same criteria.
3) How does (could) your PLC use alignment discussions in your planning cycles?
Again, ideally we should look at the same lessons and each come up with our evaluations and then discuss them together so we find a common opinion.
I agree that the standards are pretty clear in many World Language categories. How a teacher breaks down the standard and assess it can be different though. Also I agree with you about looking at lessons with the PLC. Having this training, may make us look at lessons more carefully to consider more standard alignment within our grade levels and subject areas, too.
1. I think there can be lots of reasons for misalignment/incomplete alignment, many of which have already been listed such as overlapping standards, especially in ELA but I also think that another reason is that in some subject areas standards get “remixed” and teachers who try to work from memory may miss the “remix” so a lesson that is chosen may not cover the standards it should have.
2. I think #GoOpenNC is a great resource to foster these talks because it will give PLS's/Teachers a platform that they can use to identify what aligns and what may not. It's not only a great place to gather resources but a great way to review standards and standard alignment with veteran teachers as well as practice looking for the standards covered in a lesson on the platform.
3. I mentioned this above but this is a great way for teachers to see standards aligned to activities in ways they may not have seen them before. It's also a chance to contribute and have your work peer reviewed.
1) What are common reasons for misalignment/incomplete alignment? Sometimes it is simply semantics. We need to have discussions in PLC's through NC about what the wording in our standards actuallly means. How does it translate? What does the product look like, etc.?
2) How can the #GoOpenNC platform foster productive discussion about different viewpoints regarding resource alignment? We could have a Workplace Facebook page to discuss these topics.
3) How does (could) your PLC use alignment discussions in your planning cycles? We could take resources we find an analyze how they are aligned for upcoming standards.
1) What are common reasons for misalignment/incomplete alignment?
Reasons for misalignment or incomplete alignment might be because the standard is complex; the standard may be too large to cover in the time alotted or the user simply may not know or understand the standard.
2) How can the #GoOpenNC platform foster productive discussion about different viewpoints regarding resource alignment?
The #GoOpenNC platform can foster productive discussion on resource alignment via group discussion, resource assessment and sharing, aligning and evaluating resources for classroom use.
3) How does (could) your PLC use alignment discussions in your planning cycles?
PLC could use the alignment discussions to identify resources for classroom use and implement as needed.
1) What are common reasons for misalignment/incomplete alignment?
It depends on who is putting the materials together. In the last couple of years more lesson plans have had to align.
2) How can the #GoOpenNC platform foster productive discussion about different viewpoints regarding resource alignment?
I think the more communication and conversations we have about different viewpoints the more we can focus on the entire child and help make learning worthwhile and help everyone achieve success. The assessment aspect allows teachers the ability to see if they need to differientate more and provide preview or challenge activities for certain groups.
3) How does (could) your PLC use alignment discussions in your planning cycles?
Finding lessons and working together would allow the planning to go faster and not do the same thing over and over again!
I have realy reflected on how much time just checking on curriculum alignment has taken. It seems to take some time to look at the lesson and then to evaluate the lesson. Does it meet the listed standard? If each teacher is doing that for herself/himself on every lesson it would be overwhelming. Having others join in and divide the task seems like a win-win! Collaboration happens and good quality resources are identified.