Assessment
Teachers need to know how to assess the range of learning objectives by selecting and developing a variety of assessment techniques.
“Assessment is today’s means of modifying tomorrow’s instruction.” Carol Ann Tomlinson
Pre-Assessment
Pre-Assessment is an essential aspect to teaching a lesson. Bransford, Brown, & Cocking (2000), state, “learning is enhanced when teachers pay attention to the knowledge and beliefs that learners bring to a learning task, use this knowledge as a starting point for new instruction, and monitor students’ changing conceptions as instruction proceeds”. Pre-activities provide an opportunity for the teacher to gage exactly where each individual student’s skills stand so that they are able to ensure the students have the correct foundational knowledge to then further instructional scaffolding and learning. Teachers must work within the Zone of Proximal Development which is the range of knowledge and skills that students are not yet ready to acquire on their own but can acquire with help from their teachers.
Activities in the Unit Plan that will be pre-assessed include:
SQA (in Spanish) or KWL Chart - K-what do the students already know? W-what do the students need and want to know? L-what did the students learn? This unit plan uses this effective pre-assessment tool and summative evaluation tool to measure the level of understanding at the end of unit. Furthermore, it assists in beginning the unit with students all being on the same page with authentic information. The "A" section will be used at the end of the unit for students to have freedom and ownership in their work as they demonstrate their knowledge they gained throughout the unit, which will then be used for summative assessment. |
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is a great way to adjust the teaching and learning to meet the students needs and facilitate holistic understanding. Furthermore, this practice guides the teacher to make decisions for future instruction and is essential in accommodating your learners.
1. Exit Slips-use these as a closing activity. Students must fill out their exit slip which include 3 brief questions such as:
1) What is something that I learned today?
2) What am I still confused about?
3) Further questions, concerns or comments.
Once they fill out this card it is their "ticket out the door". Through this method the teacher can quickly determine which students understand and which students may still be struggling and may need more instruction on certain concepts. By assessing the responses on the Exit Slips the teacher can better adjust the instruction in order to accomodate students' needs for the next class.
2. Peer/Self-Assessments
Peer and self assessment help to create a learning community within the classroom. Students become metacognitive about their own learning as well as can look to their peers for support to improve their work.
3. Teacher taking informal notes
During presentations or oral discussion, the teacher must take informal note of proper/improper linguistic function. If a common issue arises, review with class through direct instruction.
4. Learning Activities
Throughout the unit plan there are many interactive activities students engage in to develop their knowledge and understanding of immigration in the Hispanic world through the film study of La misma luna. Use student work to gauge their developing knowledge on the learning themes and Spanish language use.
5. Character Analysis
The written character analysis will be used as scaffolding for the Interview the Characters Project that follows. Please ensure students have all the proper knowledge, vocabulary and skills before moving onto their interviews.
1) What is something that I learned today?
2) What am I still confused about?
3) Further questions, concerns or comments.
Once they fill out this card it is their "ticket out the door". Through this method the teacher can quickly determine which students understand and which students may still be struggling and may need more instruction on certain concepts. By assessing the responses on the Exit Slips the teacher can better adjust the instruction in order to accomodate students' needs for the next class.
2. Peer/Self-Assessments
Peer and self assessment help to create a learning community within the classroom. Students become metacognitive about their own learning as well as can look to their peers for support to improve their work.
3. Teacher taking informal notes
During presentations or oral discussion, the teacher must take informal note of proper/improper linguistic function. If a common issue arises, review with class through direct instruction.
4. Learning Activities
Throughout the unit plan there are many interactive activities students engage in to develop their knowledge and understanding of immigration in the Hispanic world through the film study of La misma luna. Use student work to gauge their developing knowledge on the learning themes and Spanish language use.
5. Character Analysis
The written character analysis will be used as scaffolding for the Interview the Characters Project that follows. Please ensure students have all the proper knowledge, vocabulary and skills before moving onto their interviews.
Summative Assessment
The goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it to the standard or benchmark criteria.
Summative assessments are often high stakes, which means that they have a high point value. Teachers must provide clear examples, instructions and expectations for the project that will be graded on. Ensure that the rubric or grading scheme is handed out before the students begin the project and that it is transparent for teachers, students and parents to understand.
Summative assessments are often high stakes, which means that they have a high point value. Teachers must provide clear examples, instructions and expectations for the project that will be graded on. Ensure that the rubric or grading scheme is handed out before the students begin the project and that it is transparent for teachers, students and parents to understand.
Projects that will use summative assessment:
1. Interview with the Characters Project will be assessed summatively following a rubric.
1. Interview with the Characters Project will be assessed summatively following a rubric.
Interview Rubric | |
File Size: | 97 kb |
File Type: | docx |
2. Finish KWL chart: Use the L part as an open-ended question on an exam allowing the students to share the depth of knowledge that was gained in the unit of study. Provide instructions and marking criteria before students begin their open-ended projects.