Presentation to parents of Elkanah Senior Primary which showed the why and how of the school's assessment policy. 2-part presentation: Arthur Preston & Jacky Louw (7 February 2013)

1. SCHOOL 2.0
Preparing children for 2020 and
beyond
Presented by Arthur Preston
Principal: Elkanah Senior Primary School

2. Image : http://www.flickr.com/photos/scjn/2910383555/

4. Video source: The Future of Learning; Networked Society – Ericsson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYDkuD4dMU

5. “Learning
is just
beginning.”

6. School as we know
it, needs to change
in order to meet the
needs of the world
today and in the
future.

7. What is needed for future
success? Collaboration
Teambuilding /
Learning to
make Oral
appropriate Communication
choices
Work ethic Creativity
Source: http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/FINAL_REPORT_PDF09-29-06.pdf

8. Video source: The Future of Learning; Networked Society – Ericsson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYDkuD4dMU

9. Dilemma:
How to remain relevant and
prepare our children for their
future inside a system which has
not yet fully embraced a new
reality of learning.
Image source : http://www.golfound.com/images/clip0002.JPG

11. No dilemma is without a solution…

12. ASSESSMENT 2013

13. Assessment Talk
Elkanah House Senior Primary
Presented by Jacky Louw
Head: Curriculum & Assessment
Elkanah Senior Primary School

14. "If we always do what we've always
done, we will get what we've always
got."
Adam Urbanski

15. Assessment Overview
Continuous Integrated Learning
Assessment Task
Cycle Tests

16. What are learning outcomes?
• Every learning area has them
• States what a learner should know, understand
or be able to do
• Knowledge, skills, attitudes and values are
covered
• They are weighted according to what is being
covered that semester
• This affects your child's average

17. Type of
Outcomes Semester 1 Semester 2
Assessment
Numbers,
operations and 35 20
relationships
Patterns, functions
20 10
and algebra
Continuous
Space and shape Not assessed 15
Assessment
Measurement Not assessed 15
Data handling 15 10
Formal
Cycle tests and ILT 30 30
Assessment

18. Continuous Assessment
• Purpose is to collect information continually on a
learner's achievement
• Used to inform the teacher on what to focus on next
• Used to improve their learning
• Observations, discussions, practical demonstrations,
written work, informal classroom interactions
• Baseline assessment, self and peer assessment

19. Cycle Tests
• Been in place for 6 years
• One cycle per semester (term 1&2, term 3&4)
• Written every 2 weeks
• Maths, English, Afrikaans, Natural Science, Social
Science, Xhosa
• Grade 6 - have a test week in semester 2
• Apply Bloom's Taxonomy
• Use ratio of Bloom’s levels to ensure a balanced
assessment

20. Levels Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6
Evaluation
Synthesis 10% 20% 20%
Analysis
Application 30% 30% 30%
Understanding 30% 20% 20%
Knowledge 30% 30% 30%

21. Levels Examples of Questions
Conduct a debate with two teams about why a tuckshop should
Evaluation
be allowed in a school, keeping the food groups in mind.
Create a short, advert suitable for a radio show that will
Synthesis
promote a new healthy cereal that has come on the market.
Design a questionnaire that would gather enough information to
Analysis know how to stock the tuckshop with a variety of healthy food.
What would you ask shoppers in a supermarket if you were
Application
doing a survey of what food they eat?
Understanding Write a simple, balanced menu for breakfast, lunch and supper.
Knowledge Name the food groups and 2 items of food found in each one.

22. • Every cycle test goes through a drafting and
moderation process
• Set by teacher who heads up the learning
area
• Seen and commented on by:
»colleagues in grade
»Head of Assessment
»Principal
• Returned to examiner who makes
changes if necessary

23. • Slip of paper listing learning points sent home
• Treat it like an "exam"
• Marked and returned the following week
• Take home for parents to sign and return
• Being absent on the day requires a doctor's note

24. Integrated Learning Task
• Formerly known as IAT
• Happens once a term
• Timetable put on hold most of the time
• "Integrated" therefore learning areas are
combined
• Same checking and moderation process as the
Cycle Tests

25. • Collaborative in research but mostly individual
in presentation
• Real-world based where possible
• Linked with curriculum requirements and 21st
century skills

26. • 21st century skills?
• Preparing for jobs not yet created, products not
yet invented and for an ever-changing society
• Ways of thinking: creativity, critical thinking,
problem-solving, decision-making
• Ways of working: communication,
collaboration, co-operation, compromise
• Skills for living in the world: citizenship, life
and career, personal and social responsibility

27. ILT Example
The "small field" at your school is often waterlogged and unusable, making
it a dead space for you, the children, to enjoy. You need to give some
creative thought as to what you would like to see happen to that space so
that it can be used throughout the school day.
• Spend 15 minutes walking around that area or sitting quietly on your
own and give some thought as to what YOU would like to see happen in
that space. Design a bird's eye view of the new layout of giving careful
thought to who would like to use it and why. Remember proportion is
important as well as using a key.
SS mapping, self reflecting, decision making, prioritizing, spatial
perception, planning, following instructions

28. • In a group, each of you need to explain your plan to your peers.
They will draw up a list of positives and negatives for each plan so
that the best design can be chosen to build a 3D model from.
Oral work, self confidence, assertiveness, critical thinking,
debating, compromising, evaluating, encouraging
• Keep the objects and features in proportion. Use as much of the
correct material as you can to build it. Use Afrikaans words to label
all your objects and the material used.
Measuring, estimation, delegation, perseverance, pulling their
own weight, vocabulary building, making correct choices

29. • Research what a sales pitch is so that you can use this knowledge to
present your model to the class. Watch the video on a sales pitch
to also give you an idea. Each member of your group will need to
be part of the presentation. Minimal key cards are allowed.
Listening skills, observations, communication skills, research,
following instructions, understanding, application, oral skills

30. FAQ's
• How do I best prepare my child for their cycle
test?
Study skills book, Bloom's
• Why are we using a 5 point scale and not a 7
like the JP and HS?
• Why does the report not show a class or grade
average?
• Why did my child do so well last year but seem
to be struggling now?