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
