Letter Grade Presentation I shared with the GHES PAC on Nov. 15, 2012.

1. THINKING ABOUT
LETTER GRADES

2. In His words…

3. • Edward Deci
…human beings have an “inherent tendency to
seek out novelty and challenges, to extend
and exercise their capabilities, to explore, and
to learn.”

12. What gives parents more
information? A single letter
or…

13. Suzie is satisfactorily meeting Grade 4 expectations in language arts; in some areas
she is fully meeting grade level expectations. Suzie has demonstrated that her
writing can exceed expectations.
Suzie:
– uses basic prior knowledge to make obvious connections to and ask logical questions
about the prompts, task or text (pictures and words)
– uses prompt information (pictures and words) and prior knowledge to make obvious
predictions and inferences about story events and/or characters
– goes beyond the literal level of understanding to find deeper meaning and the lesson of
a story
– is a hesitant participant in class discussions; she has powerful ideas to share and is
encouraged to participate more fully
– is able to use speaking and listening to interact with others to contribute and share
interesting ideas and opinions
– is able to select and use strategies when interacting with others, including accessing
prior knowledge and making and sharing connections
– is able to write clear, focussed personal writing that demonstrates connections to
personal experiences, ideas, and opinions
– is able to clearly develop ideas using effective supporting details and explanations
– is able to organize writing with a beginning, middle and end; at times her beginning does
not introduce the topic
Her next steps in reading are to provide more justification with examples and reasons
when explaining her thinking, and continue working hard to learn and apply
strategies that powerful readers use. In writing her next steps are to introduce the
topic in an engaging way (powerful hook) and to carefully edit her work.

16. The Parent Perspective

22. “The problem with making an extrinsic reward the only
destination that matters is that some people will choose the
quickest route there, even if it means taking the low road.”
“But introducing an “if-then” reward to help develop mastery
usually backfires. That’s why schoolchildren who are paid to
solve problems typically choose easier problems and
therefore learn less. The short-term prize crowds out the
long-term learning.”
-Dan Pink
Excepted from - “Drive - The Surprising Truth of What
Motivates Us”