Spreadsheets are done & student welcome

Spreadsheets on Teacherspayteachers!

I finally finished the 1st grade common core spreadsheets!   Now, I know some teachers might be afraid of spreadsheets, but these are very simple to use.

Here's a video I made to help you out if you need it.



You can find both the math and language arts versions in my tpt store.

I would suggest using my spreadsheet with some of the great assessment packs already out there on teacherspayteachers.  Here are a few on my wishlist:

The Lesson Plan Diva's math assessments
The Lesson Plan Diva's Language Arts Assessments

Jodi Southard's Math and Language Arts packets.

Back to School

I've also been working on bulletin board ideas for welcoming the students at the beginning of the year.  I got these really cute frames and got them all ready in powerpoint.  I'll be meeting with parents and students the week before school, so I'm hoping to take pictures and then put them up on the board.  Here's my template.

Aren't they cute?  

Well, that's it for today.  I hope you're enjoying your summer.

Joell

Grade Scales and Stuff

Above graphic is copyrighted:  www.djinkers.com

Hi all,

As I've been working on the common core spreadsheets (which are almost done), I've been struggling with the grading scale.  So, how do you grade things?

I can't remember exactly what it says on our report cards, but I know it's a 5 point scale.  It lists the numbers 1-5.  Next to 1 I think it says "needs support", above 3 I think it says "developing" and next to 5 I think it says "proficient".  This is not quite the same as the standardized test ladder used here, which I think goes: below basic, basic, above basic and (I think) proficient.  This is one I'm not an expert at because our first graders don't take the same test.

 My first grade team decided to just adapt the old A,B,C,D,F percentages to the numbers and that's how we've been doing grades.  In many ways, I hate grades.  I'd rather report on student growth rather than percentages, but it is what it is.

So, how do I put grades in?  For big projects and writing, I usually use a rubric grid and try to make the final total 20 or 25, so it can easily be converted to a percentage for a grade.  For other things I go with a straight percentage of right/possible.

I'm going to try something new and hope it works.  I'm hoping I created a button below and I'm going to try a linky party.  So, please link up and tell us as much or as little as you want about how you grade!

And here's hoping I got this all right!
Joell