Assessing Chapter 8

Abstract:
As teachers, we need to document, provide feedback, and guide our decisions on a regular basis in order for students to achieve in the classroom. This chapter talks about grades and their effect on students. Low grades have a negative impact on students and will drive them further away from mastery or willing to learn. When we give a "D" we aren't lighting a fire under a student, instead we are taking away motivation and pushing them further away from the curriculum. In the end it takes more work to bring them back.
This chapter also discusses adding attendance and participation to the grade. Encourage students to get involved because that would be a much easier way to get a grade. It also points out that making it too easy can also have a negative impact. Work that is done at the "D" level should receive a grade of "D", but we should be more lenient with time restraints. This is really the first chapter to say that we can't presume what's going on at home, "there is no such thing as lazy", but that's as far as it goes.

Reflection:
Our group agreed that it is a good idea to know what is going on at home in order to offer appropriate time restraints. It's good that this book realizes that students are human and have many issues in their lives.
Brian was adamant that taking grades away is not a good idea. He believes that students need to touch the fire, get burnt, and try again. Students need failure in order to succeed. We all agreed that giving points for participation is a good way to get all students involved in the curriculum.