Episode 294: Use These Four Words Everyday With Your Students and Watch Your Test Scores Skyrocket
Jul 23, 2024
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Caitlin, an experienced educator, shares impactful strategies for boosting student test scores. She introduces four game-changing terms: claim, premise, evidence, and justification. Incorporating these into daily lessons can transform reading and writing instruction. They not only enhance literacy but also foster critical thinking and collaborative skills. Caitlin emphasizes that these simple words will engage students and improve their argumentative writing, leading to impressive gains in comprehension and confidence.
Incorporating the terms claim, premise, evidence, and justification in ELA lessons significantly boosts student comprehension and test scores.
Shifting focus from standardized test scores to fostering resilience and interpersonal skills enriches the overall educational experience for students.
Deep dives
Impact of Common Language in ELA
Utilizing a common language in English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms can drastically enhance student performance, especially in writing. When teachers consistently incorporate certain key terms into their curriculum, students become more proficient in expressing their thoughts and engaging in discussions. For instance, one educator observed a 13% increase in seventh-grade test scores after integrating these crucial terms, illustrating that even a slight shift in teaching strategy can lead to significant improvements. Adopting a shared vocabulary not only aids in students' understanding but also fosters a collaborative learning environment where students can better articulate their ideas.
Importance of Holistic Assessment
While standardized test scores are often the focus for measuring student success, they do not encompass the full spectrum of learning and personal growth in the classroom. Many educational leaders emphasize the need to consider attributes like resilience, confidence, and interpersonal skills as part of evaluating student success. For example, even amidst low test scores, a classroom that nurtures supportive relationships and promotes joy in learning can yield long-lasting benefits for students. Shifting the focus from solely quantitative outcomes to qualitative experiences recognizes the multifaceted nature of education.
The Power of Four Key Terms
The four essential terms—claim, premise, evidence, and justification—serve as foundational elements in both reading and writing instruction. These concepts not only improve students' analytical abilities but also enhance their overall communication skills. By consistently incorporating these terms into daily discussions and writing exercises, students develop a structured approach to articulating their viewpoints and supporting them with relevant evidence. This not only prepares them for academic challenges but also equips them with vital life skills necessary for critical thinking and effective argumentation in various contexts.
On this episode of The Teaching Middle School ELA Podcast, Caitlin is revealing four terms that you can begin incorporating inside your ELA classroom that will directly impact your students' test scores. Yes - this is a HUGE promise to make, and she's not shying away from keeping it. Caitlin will break down this promise with confidence because she isn't only speaking from her personal experience. As a team, we hear from ELA teachers every single year who have seen their students' test data skyrocket after using EB Resources and Strategies consistently. So when Caitlin shares a strategy like the one featured in today's episode, we know it works based on the feedback of thousands of ELA Teachers.
After listening you'll learn how incorporating the use and application of four simple terms across your writing and reading lessons will bring cohesion to student learning and boost their comprehension!
So, what are these four words?
Claim
Premise
Evidence
Justification
Tune in to learn exactly what each of these terms means and how you can easily incorporate them into virtually every ELA lesson you use. Once you develop the habit of using these terms in your instruction, you might be shocked at how quickly your students will begin using them as well!
Your students' test scores will thank you for listening in on this episode!
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