Single Point Rubrics

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Tricia

In commenting on blogs this week, I mentioned single point rubrics to a number of folks who commented that analytic rubrics with lots of categories and criteria seemed confusing. I like single point rubrics because they focus students only on the expected performance for grade-level.

Today, one of the bloggers I follow wrote about using single point rubrics in her class. I thought you might be interested, as she refers to the article I shared in several of my comments.

Using the Single Point Rubric for Better Assessment Conversations

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A Terrible 400 Year Anniversary

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Tricia

1919 marks 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were brought to North America. Our history is forever entwined with this event. The history of slavery is the history of America. Much of this nation was built on the backs of slaves.

Read this piece for a bit of history.
1619: 400 years ago, a ship arrived in Virginia, bearing human cargo

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Point/Counterpoint – What History Do We Remember?

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Tricia

I read a startling article last week that made me a bit angry and I spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to construct a commentary that described why the study of history needs to be multifaceted. Our founding fathers were not unidimensional, and they were not perfect. We must teach about all sides of our past and tell a more accurate story. I’m grateful that someone much more knowledgeable than me wrote an incredibly thoughtful response.

When you have some time, please read the article and the response.

Will History Only Remember the Founders as Slaveowners?
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/will-history-only-remember-the-founders-as-slaveowners/

An open letter to White people who tire of hearing about slavery when they visit slave plantations: especially Suzanne Sherman.
https://negrosubversive.com/2016/04/22/an-open-letter-to-white-people-who-tire-of-hearing-about-slavery-especially-when-they-are-visiting-plantations-worked-by-slaves-suzanne-sherman-in-particular/

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Why “Redskins” is Problematic

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Tricia

Since we talked a bit today about Native Americans, I thought this was appropriate. Here’s what Matt Essert at Mic wrote about this 2014 Super Bowl commercial.

“For years, America has been debating the use of the term “Redskin” by Washington’s NFL team, the Washington Redskins. Though the NFL says they’re listening, nothing has been done. But with this ad, the NCAI has put a human face on the story and shows exactly why the term “Redskin” is so problematic, in compressing an entire people’s rich and varied identity into one stereotype.”

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Historical Thinking

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Tricia

In class tomorrow we will focus on aspects of historical thinking and using primary sources. If you are interested in what historical thinking is, check out this video.

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