Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Sample Biology Common Planning Time Discussion

12/1/14 Common Planning Time

Notes from post assessment discussion
  • Biology Teachers met during CPT to discuss the results of the first formative assessment for the cell unit and to work on creating the next assessment.


  • Observations
    • One teacher gave the assessment twice to his honors class, surprised by how poorly they did the first time
    • Used the assessment as a quiz grade after teaching the material
    • Reviewed the assessment after it was graded.
    • Some students either didn't label parts or even the whole diagram.
    • The same diagram was used in class as part of the unit, yet students did not label correctly (why?)  Need work on study skills
    • Teachers have students create organelle flip-books, notecards.  
    • Should we have students quiz each other (suggested)
    • Grades on the assessments were consistent for almost all students, Paula noted one anomaly..
    • Class time spent talking about the organelles and even comparing them to a school and factory. Uses of graphic organizers as well as video clips seemed to help most.
Action Steps
  • Agree on how the assessment will be used in the classroom
    • Suggest: everyone count the assessment as a quiz grade
  • Use graphic organizers:  develop or use a common graphic organizer to help students organize organelle structure and function
  • Research and share study skills strategies
  • Share video clips
  • Teacher’s must use the same cell diagrams, graphic organizer, structure and function descriptions

Next Assessment #2: Cell Unit: Cell cycle and mitosis
      • Needs to be a DOK 2 Question: Stay away from memorizing
      • NGSS
      • HS-LS1-4:  Use a model to provide evidence of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms
        • LS1.B:  Growth and development of organisms
        • Possibilities include giving students the diagram and have them describe what is happening

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