What does a Morning Walk Through Reveal about our School

Most mornings, I do my best like - many principals - to do a quick walk through classrooms. I like to see the great teaching going on in our school. My focus in the past has alway been what is it that the teacher is teaching. Over the past year or so I have changed my focus to look more closely at what is it that students are learning.
As a school we have had the opportunity over the past two years to work closely with the Alberta Assessment Consortium. We have focused our staff development on assessment. Our goal is to improve student learning.

Here are  types of assessment we have focused on:

Types of Assessment

Assessments occur before, during and after learning. Assessment is not the same as testing, although tests may be a part of assessment.

Assessment for learning - Before, during and after learning, teachers and students gather information that helps determine next steps for skill development towards the learner outcome.

Assessment as learning - Both during and after learning, the teacher encourages students to build knowledge of themselves as learners. This process of being aware of and evaluating their own thinking processes is called meta-cognition. It is a core skill for a self-directed learner.

Assessment of learning - Assessment of learning is the summation of all the learning evidence. It may come at the end of the learning or at regular points during learning. Teachers ensure students have a range of opportunities and a variety of ways to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes that confirm progress toward the learner outcome. Teachers balance this evidence in their assessment.

Information taken from: http://www.rockyview.ab.ca/home/21stC/assessing

With that said: Here are some examples of the student learning that I found. 

In a math class students using iPads and a verity of tools to demonstrate, learning, practice and to accommodate for learning needs.

In the Physical Education classroom students self assess their current fitness levels and setting goals for improvement throughout the year.

In the Home Ec. classroom students prepare to put together material to for completion of a project.

In the Language Arts classroom, student have the opportunity to research a topic that they are interested in. The topics ranged from the "life of a gladiator" to "school uniforms" and " the effect of steroids on the body". Students were provided an outline, guide, and a rubric to follow. This allows, once more, for students to self assess the work they are going to turn in. Students in the class know and understand learning goals and Targets.

As I walked into this Science class I was excited, to see students exploring the properties of light. Students were free to explore how light bends, reflects, and is divided.

 Each group of student tried on their own to see what they could do with light.

Without  strict direction, the students explored and reached their own understanding of light.

The second math class I visit, students were giving a set of problems. Once completed, a new set of problems were provided to the group. Students received feedback from group members and help teach each other. This allowed for the teacher to spend individual time with students and groups.

Great instruction, teaching, and learning takes place in many schools. Cardston Junior High is a school that is learning and growing each day. Dedicated teachers are asking themselves each day these questions:

1. What will happen during the lesson to help students understand what success looks like?
2. How and when will I check in with students to find out whether or not they're "getting it"? 
3 How and when will students receive feedback on their progress? Who will provide the feedback? 

Thank you for spending a morning with us, at the world famous Cardston Junior High School.