Assessments

The students began bench-mark testing for the first quarter today. I feel bad for them. I knew there was a lot of pressure for the CRCT, but I didn’t know they were having to take these high pressure standardized tests at the end of every quarter.  It’s not like its set up to be a low pressure situation.  The kids know they have to constantly take these tests, and they realize the implications that come with it. In my elementary school experience, all I knew was that we had to take the ITBS at the end of the year, and had no clue about what the significance of it was.  So, in my day, I simply looked forward to standardized testing days because they only lasted for a few days at the end of the year and we got snacks and extended recess. Now, the kids are having to miss three mornings of instruction three to four times a year on top of all of the mandated pre and post unit tests that are they typical pen and paper multiple choice, fill in the blank type assessment (un-fun).

     I did what I feel was a pretty useful and fun assessment with my kids today. They were to create their own animal, and then they had to classify it. I gave them the frame for how it should be classified, and they had to use their knowledge of classification in order to complete the task. By the end of the class period, I was able to get an idea of who has the concept and who doesn’t, as well as what areas will need to be taught again. The kids have no clue that they are being assessed, and I am finding out who needs attention in what area. They were having fun doing it, and I was having more fun evaluating them as they worked than grading papers. The best part is, they are still learning while they are performing. If it’s something they did not understand before the task, they can actually continue to learn while creating their animal.