"Go Formative" is one of the online resources that I have been able to employ throughout my PSIII. This website allows me to create assessments with a variety or formatting options. I am also able to give live feedback to individuals completing the test. Below is a snapshot of one of the formative check-in's that I used during my Social unit "Living with the Land."
Plickers
"Plickers" has been an amazing assessment resource for when I do not have access to technology in the form of a class set. This application allows you to create a formative assessment on the spot! Each student answers individually which allows me to get a snapshot of what each student is comprehending at a specific point in a lesson. This has been a truly amazing option to use in place of a paper exit slip.
This process allows for ease in analyzing data. Below is an example of what this data looks like. You can also break this information down further and see each individual students answers.
Project Based Learning Assessment Below is a sample rubric created to assess students ability to meet SLE 12 in the Light & Shadow unit.
Creating Valid Assessments for ELL Students
Having such a diverse classroom has presented some unique challenges. This is amplified by the fact that I am also placed in a multi-age classroom. The challenge of reaching all of my learners affects my everyday instruction, however, it can be especially present during assessment. Many of my ELL students struggle with testing anxiety, as someone who relates to those anxieties I have tried my best to relieve some of those issues.
In preparation for a unit assessment I have sent home review sheets that explicitly cover material and images that will be present on the test. I think this familiarity helps to calm the nerves and allows a student to truly produce their best work.
I have gone over these review sheets during class time with students giving them optimal opportunity to absorb the VIP's of the unit.
I have created review games with incentives to help coax reluctant students to participate as well.
I diffuse essential oils with calming properties before and during a test.
I use images throughout my tests to help ELL students identify questions, even if they are struggling with language.
For example: Review Sheet vs. Unit Test
The images below are taken from the "Things That Move" Science unit. Both questions picture images of experiments that we did in class. They were also discussed on the review sheet sent home in advance with students.