Just For Problem Solving

Alla wanted to make the Learning Goals and Success Criteria she used in her class be specific to when they are problem solving.  Her goal for narrowing her focus was to really zone in on where her students are struggling in math - Problem Solving.

These are the Learning Goals she has shared with them around problem solving:

She chose to underline the key words of knowledge and understanding, apply, communicate and thinking to help the students gain greater understanding of everything that is involved in making your answer complete.  It helps the students see that there are many parts to an answer, and not just writing down a number.  This is especially critical given the fact that half of her class will be heading off to high school next year, and they need to be aware of not only the different areas on the achievement chart but also the different types of questions (or components of a question) which show different aspects of their learning.

Here is a picture of the success criteria that was co-created with the students during the course of the year :

Nothing that is on the success criteria is "new" to the students.  These have been her expectations all year long - The students can use this chart as a reference point, and Alla can use this chart to provide specific descriptive feedback to the students on how they can improve.

Descriptive Feedback In Intermediate

Courtney has also been using descriptive feedback in her combined Grade 7/8 classroom.  She is using it as a way to not only support struggling students, but to also stretch the thinking of students who are quite successful as well.  Here is some of the feedback she gave to her students recently when they completed a task on angles.

Notice how she starts with a positive statement, then gives her feedback in the form of a question.  This will allow the students the opportunity to reflect on not only what is being asked, but put it into contexts of the entire problem.