ABC's to Successful Teaching ... Assess!

For the next 26 days I am planning to walk through what I find so important to a successful year of teaching.  I want to provide you with examples, reasoning, ways to implement and FREEBIES.

My hope is you will find it helpful!!

One key element to successful teaching is assessment.

I know all too often we hear...THERE IS TOO MUCH ASSESSMENT!  

KIDS ARE BEING ASSESSED TO DEATH!  

ASSESSMENT TAKES TIME AWAY FROM TEACHING! 

YES, 

I agree to a point.  

Many assessments are pointless BUT strong FORMATIVE assessments can be quick, part of a lesson or activity, and can be teacher or student driven. 

These formative assessments are usually non graded and meant to give the teacher or student a "QUICK" look at what understanding of a skill or  concept is taking place.

Formative assessments can help with grouping, lesson planing, and differentiating.

In my classroom I assess often and in a number of different ways.

I bet you do to.

What is Formative assessment:  Formative Assessment is a range of formal and informal assessment procedures conducted by teachers during the learning process in order to modify teaching and learning activities to improve student attainment.  

1.  Exit Slips

These can be half sheets of paper that you have prepared ahead of time or even scrap paper.  They can have the task written on it or you can verbally give the students the information.  We've all heard about them but do we use them?

These should be quick and provide information for the teacher.

They help students think critically and reflect on what they learned.

Some students may need to draw or verbally respond.

I allow my students to say...I do not know.  That is a BIG clue we need more work.

• After a lesson on the vowel team EA have the students write as many words with EA or draw as they can think of.  
• Following a group reading have the students list the main idea, a character, the setting.
• Write a complete sentence.  Write a question.  Write a question and then answer it.
• Share one thing you learned after today's lesson.
• What is a verb?  noun?  adjective?
• Share one thing you learned about how a plant grows or draw the life cycle of a plant.

Math is perfect for exit slips.

Here are samples of some I have prepared ahead of time.

These can be found:

Find it here.

This bundle includes resources on:

Addition to 10 and 20

Subtraction to 10 and 20

Numbers 1 to 10

Measurement

Geometry

Money

You will want to check it out.

Even if you have a math program these include games, activities and tools for student use.

Find it here.

This is perfect for a full year of math assessment.

The resource helps to keep you accountable that you are teaching and assessing each student appropriately.

It contains:  

The groups (Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Numbers and Operations Base Ten, Measurement and Data, Geometry )

Each group contains:

Standards

Teacher and Student Checklists

I Can statements 

Three exit slips for each standard.

Shown in the Samples are Operation and Algebraic Thinking, Measurement

Find free exit slips here.

2.  Games

These are so much fun because they are played with a partner.  Communication takes place and you'll find you class talking about math and strategies.  In this packet each game is followed by a record keeping sheet so if you are unable to observe the student playing you can assess using the this record sheet.  While students are playing you can walk around and observe.  Which students are struggling.  

Find them here.

Want to practice using games as assessment?

Pick up this FREEBIE

3.  Using Standards Checklists

I find these especially helpful.

They can be done after a group story or completed after independent or small group reading.

These, when completed independently REALLY provide you with a picture of the student's understanding of the standard.  

Math is shown above.

Find it here.

This will assure you that you are covering all the standards for the students in your classroom.

This resource includes:

Literature, Informational Text, Foundations, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Language

Each area includes:

Standards, I Can Statements, Student and Teacher Checklists, I Can Statements to post, Suggested Literature for assessing, and an Assessment Activity for each standard.

Shown below are Literature and Language.

Bundle and Save

Pick up this Phonics Assessment FREE

Other forms of quick FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

Word lists

Vocabulary lists

Highlight words student does not read fluently.

Spelling pre tests

Pick up the Freebie here.

Pre Writing activities

Quick Read with student (reading level accurate)

Let's Make Words

Finally when tracking student progress check only the students who need more support.

Assess again after practice through small group or parent helper.

Get ready now to provide experiences, review, reteaching and enrichment where needed.

Make this NEW school year the best yet!

Share one new thing you learned from this post.

I'd love to hear your responses in the comment area!

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