Mathematics & Science Updates
May 2016 Edition
Different Types of Assessments
The two types of assessments can be defined as:
- Formative- formal/informal processes teachers and students use to gather evidence for the purpose of improving student learning
- Summative- assessments that provide evidence of student achievement for the purpose of making a judgement about student competence or program effectiveness
This edition will focus on different ways of assessing students which could be relevant to not only math and science but the humanities as well.
Examples of Formative Assessments
The links below provide examples of various formative assessments that can be used throughout any lesson. In addition, these techniques can really be used to differentiate instruction as well.
http://www.levy.k12.fl.us/instruction/Instructional_Tools/60formativeassessment.pdf
Kinesthetic Assessments
1. Laundry Day: Students group themselves in the classroom around four different kinds of laundry detergent- Tide, Gain, Bold & Cheer. In their chosen corner they will work on activities to enrich or improve their understanding of the content.
2. Appointment Clock: Students are asked to make three "appointments" with students at the quarter, half, and 45 minute mark. Throughout the lesson, the teacher will have students meet with their appointments to discuss their thinking on a problem.
3. Inside-Outside Circle: A technique to help with summarizing a topic in which students follow a procedure to be grouped with fellow classmates.
There are a ton more on this link below:
https://wvde.state.wv.us/teach21/KinestheticAssessments.html
What do we do after formatively assessing the students?
http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/giving-student-feedback/
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tips-providing-students-meaningful-feedback-marianne-stenger
Want to learn more about formative assessments?
https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/select-your-state-below-to-get-started/new-jersey/
In the 1990's Black & William wrote Inside the Black Box which was the seminal research on formative assessment. Since then William has set up a learning center. The link below suggests PD workshops along with publications/resources that are teacher friendly and useful.
Vicky Pilitsis
Email: vickypilitsis@hvrsd.org
Website: www.hvrsd.org
Location: 425 South Main Street, Pennington, NJ, United States
Phone: 609-737-4000