"Many teachers make the mistake of spending considerable energy designing a culminating project or test, but its end-of-unit nature limits impact on student learning. Students can't use the feedback they gain from such assessments to grow. A better use of energy, then, is for teachers to spend considerable time and effort designing and using formative assessments offered in route to summative achievements. These frequent checkpoints are where students learn the most. They allow teachers to change course mid-journey, and they keep students and their parents informed - positives all around." (p. 28) Rick Wormli

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-Assessment:

 

• KWL: - K-what do the students already know? W-what do the students need and want to know? L-what did the students learn? An effective pre-assessment tool and summative evaluation tool to measure the level of understanding at the end of unit.

• Graffiti Wall: With colorful markers and large poster paper, have all students creatively design a Graffiti Wall of things they know about a specific topic of study. Students are then encouraged to add to the wall throughout the unit as they gain new knowledge.

• Quick Writes: Students are given a set amount of time to write as much information and ideas they can remember about a topic. 

• Self Evaluations: Students are given a chance to rate themselves on how well they might know a topic. 

• Pencil to Paper: I found this the best strategy for starting a new unit in math. The questions are broad and I am able to gather student understanding. ( see examples below)

 

 

 

Formative Assessment:

 

• ​​Hand Signals: I have three designated hand signals or body positions in which my students use to self evaluate themselves. 

• Exit Cards: ( tickets to lunch or recess) Exit cards are written student responses to questions posed at the end of a class or learningactivity or at the end of a day.

• Talk a mile a minute: Students talk to a partner and explain a specific topic to them as fast as they can in one minute. 

• Gallery Walk:  Each group is given a vertical surface to solve a problem or explain an answer. Then each group is given a chance to look at all vertical surfaces and add to them. 

 

Cumulative Assessment: