Scenario on Feedback
You are the Literacy Specialist in your school. The 6th grade science teacher
has come to you for support. She has graded 32 lab reports for one class, and she says to you, "I am still getting poor lab reports. I graded every lab report and included extensive written comments on each one. It is driving me crazy because they rarely improve very much."
What could you ask or say to this teacher to improve her lab reports? Write two detailed suggestions to this science teacher based on what was told to you. Reference the scenario in your response. Be sure to read the steps in effective feedback provided to you in this module. (50 points)
Suggestion 1: It might be helpful to revisit and clarify the expectations and criteria for the lab reports. Ensure that students understand what constitutes a well-written lab report. Break down the key components of the aligned rubric extensively. Provide a model that meets these criteria and discuss them with the class to give students a clear understanding of what is expected. It would be helpful to use
a model that demonstrates a strong application of the dimensions the students are performing most poorly in their lab reports. This could help the students better understand what is expected of them.
Suggestion 2:
Instead of solely relying on written comments and returning lab reports to students for independent review, it is proposed to hold conferences with individual students or groups of students facing challenges in specific dimensions of the criteria. The students may not understand how to apply these skills even after receiving written comments therefore their lab reports are not improving. Offering timely feedback in person where the teacher can acknowledge areas of strength and address areas for improvement, fosters open communication in which the teacher can correct misconceptions, fill knowledge gaps, and create a plan with each student as to how they can improve these skills.
