May Update

The results of the survey were tabulated and highlighted into a summary. The summary of results was shared with the administrators.

During our last meeting, we reflected on our journey of learning throughout the year using the inquiry cycle, and set goals for next year.

The above, in addition to the blog will be shared with our fellow colleagues during the sharing session of study groups.

Thanks for your efforts Nora. It's a great idea to create the blog to create a space for further reflection and discussion. You are right. It took us several meetings to focus and identify our direction. I believe though that the sharing and discussions constitute great learning moments as we don't have time during the regular school days to share what is happening in our classrooms. During our next session, I hope that the article circulated will lay the grounds for some meaty discussions!

Posted by Lina Mouchantaf

Reflections on Third Meeting

I think our third meeting was useful in a way. The sharing of the survey was good. I was able to receive feedback from the group before sharing it with the administration. It will be a good time to collect info from teachers now that they're working on report cards.

The discussion part is always an interesting part of the meeting. However, this time I felt that some of the discussions were irrelevant and we need to focus and narrow down conversations on assessment strategies.

The shaing of assesment tools was useful.

I hope during our next meeting we would be able to devise a strategy to interpret the surveys. Also, getting back to our classrooms: What is it that we're unhappy about?
How can we modify situation?
We need to start the ACTION!

Second Meeting

Our second meeting highlighted two basic concerns:

• Report Cards: How will they be changed and to what extent are teachers going to be invloved in the process of change.


• Assessment practices: Exploring assessment strategies in the classroom.

Based on the above concerns, teachers in the study group will support each other in their research.

Having received the green light from the administration to go ahead with our research as part of the 'change process' for the report cards, the subgroup members (Reem and I) will proceed to work on a survey to use with teachers.

Action Research: Assessment

The first meeting was held on October 22nd, 2008 and all members were present: Lina Muchantaf, Lynn Bechara, Reem Sardouk, Mai Lawand, Rola Ayyash and Nora Hamzeh.

Essential Agreement

• Start at 1:15 on designated dates
• All members will take turn fascilitating the session
• A group journal will be kept

Discussion

The members discussed burning issues and brainstormed questions that would direct their research.

Focus Question:
To what extent does our reporting system reflect the student’s growth and development?

Sub questions:
How is reporting viewed by all stakeholders?
How do we report?
Where do IC and PYP stand in regard to assessment?
How are our assessment strategies used in reporting?