...are matching quizzes with a word bank, only the words are often used more than once, and that's where the asterisks come in.
If the term has * * by it, that means it is used twice as an answer. No stars typically mean it is used one time, but sometimes there will be one * by it. So, a choice with * * * * means that choice is used four times as an answer.
The process of elimination and logical reasoning must be used to do well on asterisk matching quizzes. This type of matching is used with vocabulary words, character lists, and terminology.
ShowMe video: click HERE for How to take an Asterisk Quiz
3rd Try Asterisk quiz: Where We Live & click here for counties map if needed
...are other online study programs that the teacher uses for students to use as review and practice. Like QUIA, these links are embedded onto the teacher's web page.
Students can even create their own study piles using these programs.
...is an online program with activities and quizzes and tests. It works on all kinds of platforms. The program provides "Jeopardy" and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" type review games along with traditional testing. Links for reviews games and quizzes are embedded in the teacher's website for easy access for students. The program works through a paid yearly subscription and can be accessed on any type of device.
Students receive feedback results right away after hitting submit. They can then see the correct answer. If students are confused on a missed answer, they can talk to the instructor.
The program does allow the teacher to schedule when a quiz or activity is open for student use. This can be done as a class and for an individual student. Sometimes, if a student has not completed make-up work in a timely manner, he or she will be locked out of it.
If a student has already logged out of the program but needs to discuss a wrong answer or a confusing question with the teacher, the student can go to quia.com and click on QUIA Web to access the results of all their quizzes & activities. The little stack of book icons in front of the file name of the item in question allows the student to see their results. Even though the original grade stands, this is a good way to review for similar future quizzes and tests.
...is an online program promoting mastery of grammar, punctuation, and other related ELA skills. USD 268 purchases this program on a year-by-year basis to be used as a supplementary practice. Here is the link for our district.
There are two ways the teacher uses IXL in 7th ELA.
Students take the ELA diagnostic and get score in four areas.
vocabulary
reading strategies
writing strategies
grammar & mechanics
IXL then provides recommended skill practice activities based on those scores. This is the main way the teacher uses IXL in 7th ELA. It is very individualized. If you see in PowerSchool a grade called IXL skill practice, this is what it's referring to. It's a completion grade to hold the student accountable for using class time to improve. Sometimes the teacher will exempt this assignment if the student has been absent because she deems other make-up work more important and is trying to give the student a break.
Sometimes, IXL activities may be assigned as a class, to a small group, or an individual based on areas needing practice, review, or improvement. Typically, the teacher counts these as daily grades. Student can also practice on items of their own choosing since they have a username & password and access to all grade levels.
The program aims for students to get 80% for the grade-level tasks. 100% could be earned on below grade-level items. Here's how it works.
Questions are asked and students answer and receive automatic feedback. For any missed problems, the program provides an in depth explanation in writing for why it was incorrect. It often provides video explanations before they start the practice. So students have to slow down, read it, understand it, and apply it or they'll continue to miss the answer. The teacher can help if the student is still super confused.
Once the student has gotten up to the 90% accuracy mark, the stakes get higher. If a question is missed at that point, it knocks the student back to 80% or lower for continued practice, and the student has to work his/her way back up again.
This is where some frustration kicks in, but this is what begins to move the learning into the student's long term memory so certain language arts skills become automatic.
The teacher usually has students complete at least to 80% and sometimes to 100% mastery on the skills that are just a review of items learned in elementary school or have been explicitly taught to the students by the teacher. However, sometimes 80% is good enough because the students are practicing a concept just introduced to them.
Sometimes when the class is practicing a skill that they should have learned years ago and are not applying themselves, the teacher makes this a game and gives a time limit to reach a certain percentage. Some students like the competition aspect of that.
When the activity is something the teacher assigned to everyone, the teacher performs to 100% mastery also before assigning such tasks, so she can determine what is appropriate for 7th grade students.