Module 5 Unit 1 Activity 1: Design Formative Assessments

Activity Requirements

• Description of three formative assessments for the grade level and subject you are or will be teaching in Google Docs.
• Demonstration of at least one assessment using an online or offline tool as discussed with the Cohort.

Formative Assessment

These are some of the types of formative assessment that I have used with my 1st grade elementary school students this year. I have also adapted many of these games for 6th grade students and as such they can work with all elementary school students.

Powerpoint games:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EDFUEw2S1ikGcqFoHckCsiHODvg_Y9eo/view?usp=sharing

Students play the game together in class, they write down the answers first, I will walk around the classroom to check how the whole class has done first, before taking answers for the class and assigning points to each team. The selection process can be done a number of different ways, either randomly or by choosing only from those who raise their hand or by choosing students as you walk around. You can also deliberately select students with the wrong answer and then discuss how the answer could be improved or where it went wrong. All students can download the game and play it at home for revision. Students with ELL and special needs find this particularly useful as they can go at their own pace. The answers for each question are shown on the slide directly after so students get immediate feedback about their answer.

Vocabulary Quiz with answer sheet:

This is a comprehensive vocabulary test that does not affect their grades. It is done to check learning and which areas are in need of improvement. Students are given access to the test online and they can print it out and answer it as many times as they want. It can also be done during class to test knowledge. The answer sheet allows them to check their own learning by themselves.

Again, by providing students with an answer sheet, they have immediate feedback and they can study at their own pace. By putting it online, parents, tutors and other supports can also work with students at home, particularly weaker students with special needs or lower language abilities.

Vocabulary (answers): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EcaGmMVWlz-V0Ip8gOBuJcw5IeUHoJvC/view?usp=sharing

Vocabulary (no answers): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EctTCJoPy4e56KbVG8nrMVPmX7niynhg/view

Spelling race:

A game where one member from each team will approach the board, the word is called out and the students must write down the correct spelling as quickly as possible before raising their hands. This often has surprising results. It is not always the strongest students who are the fastest, frequently students who underperform in written tests can outperform other students on this speed based formative assessment game.

Whisper game:

Groups work together to answer a question or pass on a memorized pattern via whispering it down their line. The first team to successfully pass the answer through all their team members and to the front of their line wins. Only the person at the bottom of the line is given the question/memorized pattern at the beginning of the game.

Practice Log Sheet:

These are not used to record ability, but rather as a way of tracking revision and time spent on certain study activities. For instance, time spent reading books, or practicing a song or dance. These can be used to help improve learning, as it is clear if a student has not spent any time practicing, then the reason they may not be improving is due to lack of practice. Again, these are not used for grades, but only to identify what areas in their revision behaviors need improving.

Example: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s1esd81wnjdZERDPVQ-2fq1gE4dO1F0h/view?usp=sharing