Building Mastery-Based Structures In Your Classroom - E065

The EduGals Podcast

This week, we are talking all about mastery-based grading and structures in your classroom. We'll go over what mastery-based learning can look like, how to implement it, and challenges you might experience along the way.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/65**

• Maya Angelou Quote: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
• Webinar: Beyond the Bohr Model (for all the chemistry teachers!)
• Mastery-Based Learning:
  • Students work on one small concept/skill at a time.
  • Students are working at the pace they need to and only moving onto the next concept or skill once they have demonstrated mastery.
  • Mastery can be defined by you - is it 75%, 100%, something else?
  • Self-pacing structures and using instructional videos are needed
  • Can be prep heavy at the beginning but totally worth it!
• Getting Started:
  • Start small
  • Try one unit, one week, one assignment/project
  • Decide on what your mastery checks will be first, and plan backwards from there
• Mastery Checks:
  • Skill based - do the skill and iterate until mastery is achieved
  • Knowledge based - short 1-2 question "quizzes"
  • Grading = Mastered or Not Yet Mastered
  • Consider creating a mastery check area in your classroom
  • Use different coloured paper for each lesson
  • Keep a tracker for pacing and collaboration
  • Works well with station-based learning
• Some simple ideas:
  • Create short quizzes in your LMS with random question pools and unlimited attempts, open for a certain time period
  • Unit or week with stations with flexibility
  • Specific lesson or skill (for example, chemical nomenclature)
• EdTech Tools:
  • Google Forms
  • Formative
  • Quizizz, Kahoot!, Blooket, Gimkit, etc in homework/solo mode
• Other considerations:
  • Strategic grouping - team up those ahead of pace with those behind
  • Grading will be more frequent, focus on feedback (written, oral, video) not grades
  • Multiple versions of mastery checks
  • Revision policy is needed
  • How might you incorporate mastery-based learning into traditional grading structures?

Support the show

Connect with EduGals:

• Twitter @EduGals
• Rachel @dr_r_johnson
• Katie @KatieAttwell
• EduGals Website
• Support the show