Introduction
Our curriculum compels students to produce high-quality work. AV-W students use multiple drafts and critique along with targeted feedback from teachers, experts, and peers to produce work they are proud of. Creating real work for real audiences motivates students to meet standards and engage in revision. In the process, they develop perseverance and they realize that they can do more than they thought they could. High-quality work is a reflection and result of the high expectations teachers have for all students.
In the sections below we will explore each attribute of high quality work. We will provide specific examples of how best practices have supported the creation of high quality student work and share evidence of student success.
Our curriculum compels students to produce high-quality work. AV-W students use multiple drafts and critique along with targeted feedback from teachers, experts, and peers to produce work they are proud of. Creating real work for real audiences motivates students to meet standards and engage in revision. In the process, they develop perseverance and they realize that they can do more than they thought they could. High-quality work is a reflection and result of the high expectations teachers have for all students.
In the sections below we will explore each attribute of high quality work. We will provide specific examples of how best practices have supported the creation of high quality student work and share evidence of student success.
Solidifying student mindsets on high quality work …
The staff of AV-W School has worked purposefully to fully engage students in each dimension of student achievement. In order to help students solidify their mindset about creating high quality work, the entire school participated in a high quality work kick-off during the winter of 2016. Each grade level teaching team, grades 4K through eighth, chose one photograph from one of their adventures or fieldwork experiences earlier in the year. The photograph for each grade was chosen specifically to connect to one of the EL Design Principles. The photograph for each grade level was then cut into square pieces, and each student in that grade took a piece of the photograph.
Next, the process of models, critique, and descriptive feedback unfolded. Every grade level crew used their models (the square of their photograph) to create multiple drafts, critiqued by themselves and their peers with descriptive feedback, until their revisions resulted in a final product the entire crew could be proud of.
This process resulted in a wall of posters which reflected the work of AV-W’s entire student body. Every child at AV-W can point out “their piece” of their crew’s Design Principle poster.
The staff of AV-W School has worked purposefully to fully engage students in each dimension of student achievement. In order to help students solidify their mindset about creating high quality work, the entire school participated in a high quality work kick-off during the winter of 2016. Each grade level teaching team, grades 4K through eighth, chose one photograph from one of their adventures or fieldwork experiences earlier in the year. The photograph for each grade was chosen specifically to connect to one of the EL Design Principles. The photograph for each grade level was then cut into square pieces, and each student in that grade took a piece of the photograph.
Next, the process of models, critique, and descriptive feedback unfolded. Every grade level crew used their models (the square of their photograph) to create multiple drafts, critiqued by themselves and their peers with descriptive feedback, until their revisions resulted in a final product the entire crew could be proud of.
This process resulted in a wall of posters which reflected the work of AV-W’s entire student body. Every child at AV-W can point out “their piece” of their crew’s Design Principle poster.
CraftsmanshipClaim 1: The quality of student craftsmanship at AV-W has improved over time.Attributes of Craftsmanship
High Quality Work Protocol
Evidence of Craftsmanship“Being able to clearly communicate about something is a critical skill for success in life. Digging deep into a topic not only enriches students understanding of the subject, but also teaches them the process of how to organize and present information in an accurate manner that flows well. Including information and facts through the use of text evidence, backs up viewpoints making arguments more persuasive and work more meaningful. Receiving and responding to peer critique and descriptive feedback enriches the craftsmanship of the final product. Over time, learning targets and rubrics are evolving and improving.
Students are challenged to apply, analyze, and evaluate information. They are making connections to real-world people, places, and issues. Through the use of descriptive feedback and critique, their high quality work is clearly more complex, detailed, and accurate showing growth over time. The quality of student artwork has become more detailed, accurate and beautiful. 6 +1 writing traits are more evident and well done, displaying authenticity, creative thinking, and personal voice. The sharing of high quality models helps students learn about other topics and different viewpoints.” ~ Mrs. Steiner (Resource Teacher) Description: Endangered Species Cards
(3rd Grade) Description: Expedition Writing - Atomic Bomb (8th Grade)
Kindergarten Cranberry Drafts
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ComplexityClaim 2: The rigor of student products has increasingly challenged AV-W Students to exceed expectations.
Attributes of Complexity
Evidence Of Complexity"This is the result of work that challenges students' thinking in new and thought provoking ways.
AVW students are continually pushed to stretch their thinking. Students are pushed by their curiosity, drive, perseverance and grit. The fact that they want to do better...that this is just part of their drive…” AVW students are held to a higher level of rigor through the use of revision process and multiple drafts. (Kind, helpful, specific). Our students aspire to something greater. PreK 4 year olds even create this work. These students are willing to create multiple drafts and revise their work.” ~ Mrs. Savel (6th Grade Teacher) 
Description: The evolution of a Animal Research Book: Years 2013-2016 (4K)
Description: Community Steward Brochure (6th Grade)
2016 Honored Community Stewards
Staff Crew: Take away’s, key concepts, and a "to do list" from our High Quality work Introduction*Multiple drafts, constructive feedback, critiques, along with a safe environment allows for incredible work.
*Our best work will be challenging and accomplished through intensive effort, revisions and specific helpful feedback from others. *Let’s focus on one aspect of quality at a time. *Kindergartners are capable. *Teach students to give kind, specific and helpful critiques so others can produce their highest quality product. *The use of draft samples and modeling the critique process along with high quality anchor pieces creates a culture that redefines a sense of accomplishment from being done to a celebrate a growth mindset. *We need honest, specific critique to preserve because we're never really done. *Specific positive feedback will lead to our best work knowing that it takes multiple drafts. *The power of YET is revolutionary. Are you done, or are you done to the best of your ability? *By modeling specific, focused, not mean, “think like a scientist”, feedback on student work, kids see the value of critiquing work and improving over multiple drafts. |
AuthenticityClaim 3: Students contribute to the larger community by creating purposeful work.
Attributes of Authenticity
Evidence Of Authenticity“At AV-W, students contribute to their school, local and global communities by engaging in meaningful, relevant work in producing products that have an impact beyond the walls of the school.
Students not only become aware of their place and role in the communities in which they are part of, they also make a real impact, making their school, their community and the world a better place. AV-W students’ work inform, entertain, and enlighten their fellow citizens. Their work is a call to action!” ~ Mr. Smith (4th Grade Teacher) 
Description: Invasive Species Placemats
(4th Grade) 
Description: Honor Flight Letters & Thank You Responses (8th Grade)
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