Friday, March 11, 2016

Grade 5 Second Term Report Cards and

March 11, 2016

Dear Grade 5 Parents,

Today is our last day before Spring Break and report cards will be handed-out.   

As there have been changes to the report card this year, so there have been questions (understandably) among parents at VCS about what various levels/grades mean now and how we assess learning.  This is difficult to summarize in a short explanation as it depends on the subject area and the type of learning we are looking at, so we’ve included a chart that shows how we assess some of the types of learning that come up in a number of subjects.  (Please note, this chart is not exhaustive of every type of learning/subject we assess, but is a guideline for you). We are also on a journey as teachers, as a school and a province with our assessment and teaching.

Grade 5 Assessment
Guideline
I/1
Does not meet expectations or incomplete
C-/2
Minimally meets expectations
C/3
Meets basic expectations
B/4
Fully meets expectations
A/5
Exceeds expectations
Knowledge of content/
Understanding of concepts
Knows or  understands less than half of the content/concepts in a unit or
incomplete
Knows or understands a minimal amount of content/
concepts in a unit
Knows or understands some of the content/
concepts in a unit
Knows or understands most of the content/
concepts in a unit
Knows or understands almost all to beyond all of the content/
concepts in a unit
Comprehension/Application/
Working toward understanding basic ideas or
incomplete
Still focusing on literal, basic ideas without critical/higher level thinking
Beginning to demonstrate or work towards critical, higher level thinking
Demonstrates some critical, higher level thinking; proficient
Demonstrates higher level thinking; may be insightful or include new, unique ideas
Creative work/project displays
Work can be:
·        Inappropriate
·        Didn’t follow instructions
·        Incomplete
Work can be:
·        Quickly done
·        Messy
·        Little detail
Work can be:
·        Simple
·        Some attention to  detail
Work can be:
·        Detailed
·        Neatly done
·        Follows instructions/outline
Work can be:
·        Detailed
·        New ideas
·        Goes beyond
·        Wow factor

Please be aware that our goal is for students to do their personal best as they learn.  We would like to see students fully meeting expectations.  However, not every student is at that level yet in every subject for various reasons (we are complex beings!), so we continuously work with students to grow and develop, realizing that their learning is a process, not a means to an end grade.  Also, some students may exceed grade level expectations in some areas of learning, which could mean that they exceeded our expectations within the grade 5 level work we are doing, or they went beyond grade 5 level work.  

Lastly, if you have further questions, feedback for us, or any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us - we’d be happy to meet with you.

    Regards,


                      VCS Grade 5 Teachers