M-STAR: Some Quick Tips on What You
can Do to Survive Your Evaluation
Mississippi
Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric is the new method of evaluation classroom
teachers in Mississippi. M-STAR evaluations include two formal evaluations and
at least five walk-through evaluations. This system is designed to help
teachers reflect upon their own teaching methods and to provide quick,
meaningful feedback. Whether you are new to the classroom or a veteran
educators, the new system can be confusing. Instead of constantly worrying
about your evaluation, use some of these tips to plan ahead.
Individualized Teaching
M-STAR
is all about making the student the focus of learning. One of the main things
you will want to do is to individualize your teaching to fit each of your
students. Have activities for your visual learners, your kinesthetic learners,
and your auditory learners. Have a center where you are stationed to help your
struggling learners.
Technology
You
can’t escape the computer age. The new teacher evaluation system wants to see
you use technology in your classroom. So, incorporate the computer, promethium
board, netbooks, or eBooks into your lesson plans. There are tons of computer
programs that you can use to do this. You can also have your students take
interactive quizzes on line. Make sure that when you are being evaluated that
you show your evaluator that you do work with technology.
Print Rich Environment
It
doesn’t matter which subject you teach. Having a print rich environment is a
must. Create a print rich environment
in your classroom by having books, magazines, posters, ankle charts, and other
reading material on your subject area readily available and in plain view. You
can even opt to section off an area of your room where books and magazines on
various topics are displayed. Your students are bound to come across something
that they may want to read.
Across the Curriculum
It
has been said that no man is an island. Well, teaching is no longer a one man
show. Teachers are no longer expected to just teach their own subject area and
move on. You are now expected to teach across the curriculum. You must be sure
to integrate other subject areas into your lessons. It is also a plus when you hang
posters or student work that displays the incorporation of other disciplines.
Make Connection to Real
World
Students
always want to know what the subject has to do with them or why they have to
learn something. So, it is important to make a real world connection. If you
are teaching a book, be sure to compare the book to a real life situation or experience
that you have had. Then, allow your students to briefly share their experiences
that connect with the subject of your lesson.
Explain the Objective
Before
you dive into the lesson for the day, explain what you will be teaching.
Explain why it is important, and make those real world connections.
Questions Please
The
new M-STAR evaluation requires teachers to think about the way they question
their students. Instead of asking questions that require simple responses, M-Star
encourages educators to ask questions that require students to use their
critical thinking skills and creativity.
Safety
As
teachers, most of us are more concerned with teaching the lesson than checking
out our classroom. Well, we must begin to do a quick evaluation of your
classrooms. Check to see if the room is safe for students and yourself. Are
there book bags in the aisles? Are there other things that can pose safety
hazards? These things must be addressed before your evaluation.
No Down Time
Do
not allow any downtime for the students. Activities should flow smoothly. So,
plan accordingly.
Make Corrections
Be
sure to handle any disciplinary problems in your classroom quickly and
promptly. Post classroom rules throughout your room, and make sure that they
are visual. Refer to your rules throughout your class.
Procedure
Make
sure that you have taught your students classroom procedure. The person doing your evaluation will look for these things as they are observing your class.
M-STAR
evaluations can be scary. Know what to expect and plan accordingly.
http://mpbonline.org/News/article/inside_mississippi_teacher-evaluationshttp://home.mds.k12.ms.us/docs/rocurement-library/m-star-system-guide.pdf
