Successful CBA Techniques
OSPI committee offers general instructions for elementary CBAS and scoring considerations for middle/ high school CBAs.
When you select a CBA, the following steps are useful for understanding:
- Print off the possible targeted CBA from the OSPI Social Studies web site and read the Essential Question listed at the beginning
- Note the key concepts and vocabulary and determine if students need instruction in this area
- Teaching material available through textbook supplemental material
- Teaching material available on pathfinders
- Historical background
- Graphic organizers as framework for finding information EXAMPLES Dig Deep or Checks & Balances or Causes of Conflict
- Look at the rubric that determines how the student's work will be evaluated
. Annette Lamb provides useful material for understanding rubrics
- Note critical thinking words like analyze or form an opinion
- Note details like use of timeline or in-text citations of specific number of sources of information
- Pay attention to the numbers such as 2 sources, 3 causes, 2 ideas
- Note the difference of quality between a 2 (partial but not passing) and 3 (proficient) and 4 (excellent) which is the level most students should achieve
- Consider the students
- Current understanding of the concepts and topic
- Is an overview of the issue available in video, interactive web tutorial, or background reading beyond the textbook ?
- Have materials available to cover different student , particularly English Language Learners ( ELL) and special education?
- Are materials available that challenge students who excel beyond average ?
- Consider the topic
- Do students already have general understanding about this person, place or event?
- Do students have common misunderstandings about this person, place or event?
- Is there a primary source document or artifact that can help students understand the historical context or time?
- What is the connection between this person, place and event and today's students?
- What type of background information will help all students understand, so that they can think about the essential question?
