Mr. McGill

Self-Evaluation As A Learning Tool

Hello Parents,

    One of the potential pains of elementary education is the idea that mistakes indicate failure.  Failure to meet a given standard specifically means that one has not demonstrated adequate understanding of the concept, or they lack adequate demonstration of a skill. 

    Failure is not a prediction of future results.  It is itself a result and nothing more.  While failing to meet standards may signal that weaknesses are present in one's understanding, it is not in itself a relegation to a group, category, or statistic. 

    Basically, failure is a choice.  In order to be relegated to a group, a person has to choose to accept that they fit in with the group and its characteristics.  By choosing to accept failure, one accepts the limitations imposed not by the failure, but by the recent results as measured in that particular manner.  In order to be successful, one has to be measured again, but preparation for that measurement is also a choice. 

    High achievers choose to evaluate their own skills and decide not to accept the limitations recent results may indicate. 

     If one strengthens skills and adjusts strategies and thought processes, comprehension and demonstration of ability will change and potentially improve.  This is why success is the result of consistent, focused application of strategies and processes, rather than a destiny where the perceived "lucky" or "fortunate" find a welcoming finish line of supporters. 

    Steven R. Covey points out in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, that a public victory must be preceded by a private victory.  In other words, before a person can overcome failure and rise to success, they must work to decide themselves where they should devote their attention. This requires self-evaluation on a daily basis. 

    The public victory of successful scholarship ultimately begins with the student and the private victories they have already experienced through devotion to their own sense of success.   

Sincerely,

Alex McGill

Self-Assessment is the root of Metacognition

It is expected that students in fifth grade at Garrison Mill will be challenged in all their subject areas this year.  We teachers expect a background of knowledge from students, but we also are looking for the students to begin to recognize their ability to decide how they will proceed in their studies, in their social activities, and in their future pursuits.  This requires critical thinking beyond mere content understanding. 

By adding to the background knowledge, preparation for future challenges can be made, but only if the students are reflective.  Reflection on past experiences paves the way for insight (as well as taking account of one's knowledge base).  When a person "knows what they know", that is known as metacognition. 

This year, it is desirable to have students begin taking stock of their thought processes as well as the content they are being asked to consider.  Rather than assigning value to grades, students should recognize grades as a value of their understanding and comprehension in the areas in which they earn the grades. 

Many times, students view grades as "results", "answers", or "values of (their) abilities".  In reality, the point of grading is to distinguish knowledge levels, application of that knowledge, and decision-making related to the relevant material. 

When grades are earned and students are presented with results of assessments, the first question they should ask themselves is whether the grades accurately indicate their comprehension of the material.  This will enable them to begin thinking about what they know, as well as how they are able to determine their own knowledge of a subject.  Again, this is metacognition. 

Once a person is aware of what they do know, then they can address what is unknown to them.  Only then can they begin the task of determining the future course of action that lies ahead for themselves.  This personal accountability is the framework for mature, process-oriented decision-making. 

As a guide to your child's success, focus your discussions with your child on how they view their own knowledge, and for what reason they have determined their own self-evaluation.  This will present to you a window into the way your child perceives themselves academically, but also how they value knowledge and learning as tools for a successful life. 

Thanks for reading this blog!

Sincerely,

Alex McGill

Students in Dr. Hohn's 4th grade math have shown considerate growth and problem solving excellence these introductory weeks! Today they read about Rene Descartes and the Cartesian Coordinate System. Afterward, they played Tic Tac Toe with coordinates. A very fun Friday!