Mallory Shackelford

DSMS Tigers are back and the future is here! 8th grader Eva Somerville started us off with a beautiful performance of the #nationalanthem and the staff spent time thinking about new systems and sharing laughs together! At DSMS we’re #drivingsuccess! #iamdsisd @DSISD @DSMStigers

We had such a fun day welcoming our new DSMS teachers to the Tiger family! @dsmstigers @drippingspringsisd #iamdsisd DSISD staff are Champions

8th grade parade - something to celebrate: you’re graduating and heading to high school! @DSMStigers We will miss you and good luck!

The @DSMStigers Shadow a Student Challenge starts today with Ms. Keri Gohlke leaving her classes for the day to shadow a student through his typical day as a middle schooler. #gainperspective #backtomiddleschool #avisionforschoolimprovement @DSISD #IamDSISD

Julie Zahara and her DSHS Kindness Club are writing [student designed] letters to every.single.high.school.student! 😳WoW! #Inspirational @DSISD @GamezAngelaD @racheltole5 #IamDSISD @InnovateDrip @DSHSCounselors

#lead4ward #review20 #IamDSISD @DSMStigers @DSISD Our fabulous teachers gettin’ ready for STAAR!

@Simpchem That's going to have to be number 1 on our agenda for the 20th - defining our mission so that we can align our process back to that with every decision. #DSGrading

A6: Great schools have a clear mission and process (based on best practices) to produce graduates prepared for the “next level” and teachers who buy-in to that process. #dsgrading

Thank you for participating! We are jazzed for our time together on January 20th, see you then! #DSGrading #IamDSISD

@bchenry81 Well said. I would say, I hope that we can come up with a policy that speaks to that sentiment.

A6: A great school is comprised of lots of different staff coming from different walks of life for basically a single purpose. Educate kids and do what's best for them. I don't think one set of beliefs would be the best policy when it comes to that. #DSGrading

@MrsDanielsDSHS Yes, when it's a learning target absolutely.

A5: I think it depends on the assignment. For instance, proper formatting of a research paper would be important and should be graded when that is one of the learning targets. #dsgrading

@MarybethHundl Agreed. I've seen schools that have Agency grades as part of their average. Agency can be defined by the school/district but usually includes on time, participation, works well with others.

Q5: Should a grade include points for group participation, responsibility, creativity, neatness, and formatting expectations? #DSGrading

@ForemansRoom @adaige I absolutely, whole-heartedly agree! I have made stress and anxiety in secondary students a major focus of what I try to battle in my teaching.

@mdashack @adaige Personally, I believe that middle school kids should be spending time at home with family and friends. We have seen such an increase in anxiety in our pre-teens and teens. Life is not all about school. Let them be kids!

Q4: What supports could be created to counteract circumstances that make the learning playing field uneven, ie: home life, etc? #DSGrading

@bchenry81 I do really like advisory time.

A4: Availability before school during tutorial time. Also, those students who may have trouble getting here due to being a bus rider grabbing them during advisory time. #DSGrading

@MarybethHundl True!

@ForemansRoom @adaige Cindy, I really like this. Especially time to complete work in class. Even for students with ideal circumstances at home, should time at home be reserved for that?

@adaige A4: Ss with uncertainty in their life need even more structure at school for success. Providing Ss with a clear sense of direction through unit plans, S examples, flexible due dates, and time to complete assignments at school (vs. homework) are good supports. #DSGrading

@LauraBl25402632 @MarybethHundl I especially found that to be true when I was teaching and the assessment was static and compartmentalized. Ss have a hard time understanding how one assessments concepts support the other assessments comments.

@MarybethHundl Yep, recycle bin is full! #dsgrading

@LauraBl25402632 Do you feel like they do that and reflect on what they need to do better on?

A3: Students have learning targets coded for hw questions - they can track how they do for diff standards. #dsgrading

Q3: Are grades meaningful feedback? What do you do to provide clear feedback that reflects if they met the learning intentions? #DSGrading

@MarybethHundl Those formative assessments, if used well, can really be a stress reliever for students going into the assessment.