About two months ago, I posted a great resource in my Teachers Pay Teachers store on Validity and Reliability (here is the link:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Validity-and-Reliability-1005069.) Since that time, it has quickly become one of my best sellers. I've even had people email me directly requesting more resources for help with this difficult skill. So, I'm going to give a few pointers to fellow coaches and teachers to make teaching Validity and Reliability a little easier.
Resources:
You really don't need text or a passage that is specifically written for any benchmark or standard, even this one. All you need to teach Validity and Reliability is a piece of nonfiction text or a primary or secondary source. Here are a few I have used:
Primary Sources/Secondary Sources- I have taken copies of a depiction of the Middle Passage and put it alongside an editorial cartoon about slavery and had the students determine if it was a primary or secondary source. Then, based on the perspective of the person who wrote/drew it, identified just how reliable the source is. And yes, I did this activity with 5th grade students, quite a few of them were below level in reading.
(drawing of the Middle Passage)
(Editorial cartoon)
Another place I find great resources is in children's magazines, either in print or online. Magazines like Highlights, Ranger Rick, and Discover Kids have great high interest articles tailor-made for kids. I like to take to use the online ones, because then I could copy and paste it into a Lexile Generator to determine the reading level. I also check the word count so that it emulates the word count listed on the Items Specs for my state's test.
Here is something I put together using Scholastic.com:
I love how the website cites the source of the information. This really helps the kids with their understanding.
Checks for Understanding- I like to print copies of pictures of primary and secondary sources or bring in brochures, pamphlets, maps... and have students discuss what types of sources they are, the reliability of the source, and even the point of view it is written in. Then, I have them sort the sources into categories. Not only do the kids love this, but it helps you in determining their level of understanding even before the test. I also embed quick games in the PowerPoint that last about 30 seconds and includes a collaborative strategy. Here is a sample:
Differentiation- If you see that your students are not understanding the concept on their grade level, try using text that is on their instructional reading level. This allows the students to concentrate on learning what validity is and not on decoding. Once they "get it" on their instructional reading level, then try on grade level.
What works for you?
