[mrsb12247]

I am new to the building I am going to be working in this year, but not new to my district. I am teaching Seventh grade SS.

My new AP came into my room the other day and asked if I had thought about grading students with categories other than quiz/test/HW/classwork, etc... Truthfully, I have thought about it quite a bit, but haven't really figured out how to "grade" with any other categories. I assume he asked this because we are leaning towards a more standards-based approach to grading, as our high school does, but I'm at a loss for where to even begin. Our standards are more content-oriented, not broken out by skills.

So then THAT started me thinking about the skills one learns in Socials studies, but how do you evaluate a student's research skills with an A/B/ or C? Or their ability to analyze cause and effect? It got my head spinning

So I'm interested to hear how other schools grade Social Studies. Do you do the standard quiz/test/homework/classwork format, or do you do something else? Thanks for any ideas!

[kmob]

but our principal is really pushing for change so I think this post will help me as well. I know how to grade the final project, and even check as they go, but how do you really grade research skills, note taking skills, etc...I guess with rubrics but still not very concrete.

I'm interested in hearing what people have to say.

[Mizzou fan]

I am not quite sure if I am answering this correctly or not... I have tried to get away from the traditional paper/pencil test and have the students take the knowledge learned and share in some sort of project. For a WWI unit with my eighth graders they had to create a scrap book about a soldier. they included postcards sent to him from family members, and postcards letters and photos he sent back to them. One girl included the Western Union Telegram informing the family of the soldier's death. it was incredibly moving.
We have done "Decade in a Box" and written song titles that would be appropriate to go on a CD about a specific topic.
iBefore I type more, s this what you are looking for?