Yay! My First Set of Task Cards

I have finally created my first set of task cards! And it was not all that hard! I really feel that they include a good mix of DOK levels and will provide practice for students in a similar format to what is on the test I have created. I am so excited!

We also begin pre-planning tomorrow! We will be working on several initiatives in our math department this year. My favorite involves backwards design by creating engaging unit assessments. Our assessments will have approximately 50% DOK level 1 questions and 50% DOK level 2+. They will include short answer and extended response. I am glad that we are doing this to help prepare our students for the tests of the future. Our tests will be very similar to the models provided by PARCC and Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. Hopefully, this will drive changes in our instruction and what materials we present to students. 

This will provide me with tons more ideas on things to create in order to prepare students for these assessments... So, stay tuned and keep an eye out for more of my products.

On a more personal note, we just got back from a beach trip where Thomas took his first steps!! ON THE BEACH! I was so afraid that I would miss this milestone, but Daniel and I were both there for it!

Teachers Pay Teachers

I have created a few items for my TPT store now... I am not sure how this is going to work, but slowly I will keep adding to it! I created some zebra borders in a word document... Each new page has a different color zebra border and it was my first sale! I made 30 cents! Lol :)

That's perfectly alright though. I have several free things that have been dowloaded alot, so hopefully I will attract more traffic.

I have also created a common core aligned 7th grade unit test for the number systems unit. I spent alot of time researching questions and DOK levels. It included 25 multiple choice, 3 constructed response, and 2 extended response. With the upcoming Common Core Assessments (PARCC and Smarter Balanced) suggesting extended response writing on the math portions of the test, I thought my students should go ahead and get used to the format. There are also error analysis, application, problem solving and much more. The tests is approximately 50% DOK Level 1 and 50% DOK level 2 and 3.

One of my goals for the year, is to develop tests that are all formatted like this. I am hoping that backwards design will force me to have students writing more in math... Which is an area I am not very good at. As always, feel free to visit my TPT Store- Katie Mason

Getting Started

           There is so much going on in my life right now. I am a fairly new mommy... I have a very handsome son, named Thomas. He is my whole world and very spoiled to boot. Right now we are going through sleep regression and teething which make for some very interesting and long nights. I am also beginning my Ed.S degree in Leadership from Valdosta State University through an online program. I have never tried my hand at online learning and am a little overwhelmed with the format. The discussion posts seem endless and take up a lot of time. If you have any online learning tips, please share! I need them.
           Before long, school will start back and my hustle and bustle will become even busier. This summer one of my goals is to put together as many resources as possible for the Common Core standards. I hope to have unit tests, quizzes, task cards, sorts, centers, and more by the time school starts back...but we will see. I am also going to try and start my teacherspayteachers store and try to track its progress. I will post a link, so that you can view the resources I am creating. This will be my fourth year teaching 7th grade math and I have to say I absolutely love it. My students are quirky and go through hormonal shifts each day, but they can most always find a way to be sweet.

This is a link for you to visit my TPT Store.

<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Katie-Mason"><img src="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/img/settings/silver.xlarge.badge.png" alt="Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, Sixth - TeachersPayTeachers.com" align="absmiddle" height="50px" width="209px" /></a>