Back in December, I shared some thoughts on the differences between standards-based and competency-based teaching and assessment. Since then, I’ve drafted competency-based rubrics for each dimension of the C3 Framework. In this post, I’ll share those rubrics and explain the thinking behind how I constructed them.
C3 Standards
Working with Rubrics: Analytical vs. Standards-Based vs. Competency-Based
Over the past few months, I have explored a wide range of rubric models. My goal was to develop something that threads the needle between standards-based proficiency scales and a competency-based rubric. I experimented with some complex designs, but ultimately landed on a rather basic structure erring on the side of simplicity. This post captures my thoughts on all types of rubrics as I have prepared to integrate aspects of competency instruction and assessment in my classroom.
Conceptualizing Competency Based Grading with the C3 Framework
This post is a reflection on my work with the C3 framework as I have moved from "Big Tent" standards towards competencies.
Exploring China’s Historical and Geographical Contexts: C3 Inquiry
I am starting a new unit in Geographic Cultural Studies, this time focused on China and East Asia. The student readings are supplemented from several textbook and secondary sources as well as many primary sources that will align to the supporting questions.
European Intellectual Transformations: Reflections on a C3 Unit for 9th Grade
I recently completed the unit I recently posted about in my 9th-grade Geographic Cultural Studies course that covered the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment. Unfortunately, it did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. This post is reflective, but also has many of the resources I used in the unit linked again.
Building a C3 Inquiry Unit around Early Modern European History and Geography
The first major unit in my 9th grade foundational course, after the National History Day and Intro to Geography units, dives into the study of Europe. Last year, the content focus began in the late Middle Ages and finished with the Renaissance. We did not get far enough chronologically to align with where the 10th … Continue reading Building a C3 Inquiry Unit around Early Modern European History and Geography
Building Inquiry Units with the C3 Framework
The 9th grade course I teach, Geographic Cultural Studies, is meant to be a mixture of geography and history with a bit of economics thrown in as well. The first of three major inquiry units guided by the C3 Framework is on Latin America. This post explores the structure and content of this unit.
The flexibility to design a new course is another reason I love international schools.
After a well needed summer respite another school year has started. One of the things I am most excited about is teaching our new 9th grade course. A major benefit of teaching at a private international school is curriculum flexibility. If our department sees a need to fill curriculum gaps or to make adjustments to … Continue reading The flexibility to design a new course is another reason I love international schools.
Standards-Based Grading in History: Vertical and Horizontal Alignment
Curriculum is not an add-on task that occurs in meetings, over summers, or acts as a distraction from teaching and instruction. Curriculum is at the heart of teaching and teachers should own it and live it. Vertical and Horizontal alignment is an oft mentioned, but less fine-tuned component of curriculum.
Classroom Questioning Strategies
As students grow older they ask fewer questions. How can teachers fight back against this trend, integrating questioning strategies into their pedagogy in order to encourage inquiry and analytical depth?