Sam Habeck
Wsts8 ESL artifact reflection
The Marzano model for vocabulary instruction reflects standard eight’s expectations
for formal and informal assessment through students ability to choose their grade. In this
assignment students choose how much they do (write a word, draw a picture, write a
sentence, or a complex sentence) and that is the determiner for their grade. It allows
students to challenge themselves, and show what they know simultaneously. It gives clear
directions on how to progress and improve. This type of activity lends itself to modifying
teaching for different language levels a lower level would focus on improving their
sentences and creating pictures that show their understanding, and a higher level would be
looking at writing different types of complex sentences. This way all students are working
within their zone of proximal development while being challenged to progress.
At Doerfler Elementary I used these vocabulary worksheets a couple times a week
(with three to four words on a sheet) to have students practice their writing, while creating
their own set of notes to draw from in the regular classroom. I was able to keep the
records of their grades as a way to show student performance and improvement, especially
when meeting with parents to discuss where students are and why. This was just one
means of assessing students, but they enjoyed it because they were able to have more selfdetermination in their grade and work. The Marzano model as just one type of assessment
is valuable in the ongoing and diverse types of assessment both formative and summative
that take place in a classroom.