Bondurant-Farrar Community Schools

Artifact
Artifact Title: Lesson 13 Comprehension and Vocabulary Tests
Portfolio Author: Christina Cornia
Date: October 27, 2015
Iowa Teaching Standard 7 Engages in professional growth

a. Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.

b. Works collaboratively to improve professional practice and student learning.
c. Applies research, knowledge, and skills from professional development
opportunities to improve practice.
d. Establishes and implements professional development plans based upon the
teacher needs aligned to the Iowa Teaching Standards and district/building
student achievement goals.
e. Provides an analysis of student learning and growth based on teacher
created tests and authentic measures as well as any standardized and
district-wide tests.

I chose this artifact to show:

X strength and competency in this standard
Description of artifact and how the artifact meets the standard:

Evidence to support attainment of this standard:

We are in our second year of newly adopted Journeys Reading curriculum. Each lesson has a comprehension
and vocabulary test matching the skill and strategy. To encourage high student achievement I allow the
students to use their textbook on the comprehension test. Students are advised check their work by finding
the answers in the text book. I do not allow the text book with the vocabulary test, but we do practice
vocabulary throughout the week. The comprehension tests have proven to be difficult for students of all
academic abilities, using the text book provides students an extra resource to be successful each week.
Reflection on artifact:
The Journeys provided tests do align with the strategy and skill each week very well. The tests also match to
the comprehension discussion questions of the story. The stories and tests also often include figurative
language. This is a component of literacy that is important, but frequently overlooked. I do think Journeys is
successful with incorporating the figurative language.
One aspect of the vocabulary tests I do not like as well is that only five of the ten words are included on the
test. The remaining questions come from the vocabulary strategy. I do think the strategy is important, but I
feel it would be more appropriate to have more of the words we are practicing throughout the week.
I will continue to focus on the comprehension skill and strategy during whole group and small group
instruction. I also will continue to encourage my students to use their textbooks as a tool for success. A change
I may make is focusing on fewer vocabulary words. I may consider focusing on six words throughout the week
in an effort to improve students understanding and success on these assessments.