How Assessment Guides Instruction
Knowing how to teach is an art. Knowing what to teach is a science. Before 1998, teachers were involved in something known as the "Reading Wars", debating the value of whole language instruction versus phonics instruction. Then came the release of the National Research Council’s report, “Preventing Reading Difficulties” (1998), which changed forever the delivery of reading instruction. It was now clear there was a prescriptive path towards literacy that became known as strategic Balanced Literacy.
Likewise, math instruction has evolved from filling out worksheets and following set algorithms to a subject of creativity and rigor. Every day, research into the brain, into classrooms, into childhood as a whole, gives us better insight into the science that is teaching and the best practices that are required for academic development.
However, it hardly matters how well we understand the pathway that we are walking, if we don't have a sense of where each child we are teaching, as a unique individual, is on that path. Strategic assessments are the tool that help us learn about children as the amazing, wonderful, and special developing people they are. Through assessment we can learn their strengths and weaknesses. By monitoring individuals, our teaching becomes continually purposeful, targeted, and empowering.
Three types of assessments are especially informative in the teaching of young children: Formal assessments, informal observation, and portfolio assessments.
Formal Assessments
Formal assessments include written documentation of skills. It is important to use assessments that are reliable, follow the reading continuum, and are based upon important standards and research. Another important component, is to use an assessment that compares apples to apples; an assessment that measures accurate growth in skills from the beginning to the end of the year. This assessment should be a mix of oral and written assessments that are easy to administer, score, and easily provide important data that will allow the teacher to strategically target student learning.
Observations
Observation is an important way to determine how a child implements learning into daily life. Observing and documenting a child’s actions in different settings provides important information on the learner’s ability to put learning into action. Watching a child’s behavior as he/she reads or completes a math problem quickly shows the observer how a the learner is using important strategies. Observations can be completed using a clipboard, with simple notes, a checklist, or can be taken digitally.
Portfolio
A portfolio is an authentic sampling of information relating to a child’s developmental progress in a school or homeschool setting. Portfolios contain work samples that are representative of where a child is at a particular time, and shows progression of development throughout time. A teacher uses that information to scaffold the learner to greater heights. For example, when looking closely at a student’s writing sample, one can easily determine the child's understanding of phonics rules. Instruction can then be determined to move the learner to deeper understanding.
Get started on your own Portfolio keepsakes! Enter code: portfoliofun at checkout to get 20% off our guide to making a great Portfolio/Memory Book!
Esgi
Thanks to ESGI, the Amazing Online Assessment Essential, orally assessing each of my kindergartners to prepare for our end of trimester report cards have been a snap! Usually I use this assessment on my iPad, and call students over to my teacher table, but because I have had a student teacher, each have been able to come up to teachers computer, quite an exciting event for a 5 year old!
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Are you looking for a comprehensive ready-to-go Kindergarten Math Assessment? You will love this packet of assessments that have been used with tens of thousands of kindergartners around the world! It is aligned with math foundational skills and Kindergarten Common Core Standards! And you will love how this kindergarten math assessment tracks your students throughout the entire school year with suggest educational benchmarks along the way and bonus checklist and report card!
Organizing assessments can be a daunting task. This assessment package is here to help save you valuable time. The document serves as an organizational tool for gathering information about math strengths and weaknesses of kindergarten students. This resource will help you learn more about your students and help you determine the focus of your instruction.
Each assessment is clearly written and easy to administer. Due to the necessity of assessing students at regular intervals during the school year, the document provides a space to record information for different assessment periods. The first assessment is in the trimester format (with benchmarks provided). Following this assessment is one that is generalized, to fit the format of varying school years.
The next pages of this assessment packet are student copies and examples of a checklist or report card that you may wish to use when reporting to parents.
A sample checklist and report card based on the assessments is also included for your convenience.
© Kathy Crane
I purchased this resource on Saturday and have made copies of activities for each day this week! Cannot wait to use it with he kids! I know they are going to love it! Thank you for creating a resource that is just at the tip of my fingertips and full of wonderful activities for the classroom!
Total:
4.0
Clarity
Reading Skills Assessment For Preschool
Need to track and assess student's skills?
A common question asked of parents and teachers of preschool age children is, “Is my child ready for kindergarten?” Using this handy assessment will not only answer that question with solid data, but it will also allow parents and teachers to make informed decisions as to the skills necessary to confidently enter kindergarten.
Each assessment is clearly written and easy to administer!
The last pages of this assessment packet are student copies and examples of a checklist or report card that you may wish to use when reporting to parents.
© Kathy Crane
"Best investment I ever made. This is the best product I have purchased on TPT. You did all the work our district was asking us to do to line up our prek with kindergarten common core standards. This is a must have you will not be disappointed. Thank you so much for all the work you did on this.
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English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Math Assessments For Kindergarten
Kindergarten Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - FALL
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - WINTER
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - SPRING
Preschool Language Arts Assessment Pack
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Kindergarten Pre-Screener Assessment
Screen your incoming kindergartners with confidence! Includes everything you need on one easy to use, double-sided sheet. Includes suggested scoring rubric to help with class placement and interventions.
Also includes a digital option.
Related Products:
English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Math Assessments For Kindergarten
Kindergarten Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - FALL
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - WINTER
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - SPRING
Preschool Language Arts Assessment Pack
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Parent Teacher Conference Reporting Forms and Intervention Homework Spring
Are you looking for a way to have a stress free parent conference?
Is is time for your Spring parent teacher conferences in Kindergarten? You will love these easy forms that will make reporting to parents practical, authentic and a breeze! Three choices are available.
Bonus! This packet includes our Fall Homework Intervention Packets in both English and Spanish, a $5.00 value. Send these packets home with parents to offer additional support for their child's academic learning.
Such great guidelines and I love how user friendly it is! I will be using this next week!
Related Products:
English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Math Assessments For Kindergarten
Kindergarten Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - FALL
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - WINTER
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - SPRING
Preschool Language Arts Assessment Pack
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Language Arts Assessment For Kindergarten Common Core
Are you looking for a comprehensive ready-to-go Kindergarten ELA Assessment? You will love this packet of assessments that have been used with tens of thousands of kindergartners around the world! It is aligned with English Language Arts foundational skills and Kindergarten Common Core Standards! And you will love how this kindergarten ELA assessment track your students throughout the entire school year with suggest educational benchmarks along the way and bonus checklist and report card!
Organizing assessments can be a daunting task. This assessment package is here to help save you valuable time. The document serves as an organizational tool for gathering information about English Language Arts strengths and weaknesses of kindergarten students. This resource will help you learn more about your students and help you determine the focus of your instruction.
Each assessment is clearly written and easy to administer. Due to the necessity of assessing students at regular intervals during the school year, the document provides a space to record information for different assessment periods. The first assessment is in the trimester format (with benchmarks provided). Following this assessment is one that is generalized, to fit the format of varying school years.
The next pages of this assessment packet are student copies and examples of a checklist or report card that you may wish to use when reporting to parents.
A sample checklist and report card based on the assessments is also included for your convenience.
© Kathy Crane
Follow For Updates and Freebies!
Be alerted as products are updated and/or added to. Get Special Freebies.
Wow! Very organized and looking forward to using this fall, especially with ESGI. Thank you!
Related Products:
English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Math Assessments For Kindergarten
Kindergarten Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - FALL
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - WINTER
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - SPRING
Preschool Language Arts Assessment Pack
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Math Assessment For Preschool Aligned to Common Core Standards
A common question asked of parents and teachers of preschool age children is, “Is my child ready for kindergarten?” Using this handy assessment will not only answer that question with solid data, but it will also allow parents and teachers to make informed decisions as to the skills necessary to confidently enter kindergarten after a successful assessment-guided preschool experience.
Each assessment is clearly written and easy to administer. And, carefully linked to Core Standards!
The last pages of this assessment packet are student copies and examples of a checklist or report card that you may wish to use when reporting to parents.
© Kathy Crane
I loved this because it allowed me to show the parents the standard and then what they had to do to complete the standard! Thank you for your time in creating this!! :-)
Follow For Updates and Freebies!
Be alerted as products are updated and/or added to. Get Special Freebies.
Related Products:
English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Math Assessments For Kindergarten
Kindergarten Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist
Kindergarten Pre-Screener
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - FALL
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - WINTER
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - SPRING
Preschool Language Arts Assessment Pack
Preschool Math Assessment Pack
First Day of School Report Card
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Parent Teacher Conference Reporting Forms and Intervention Homework Winter
Are you looking for a way to have a stress free parent conference?
Is is time for your Winter parent teacher conferences in Kindergarten? You will love these easy forms that will make reporting to parents practical, authentic and a breeze! Three choices are available.
Bonus! This packet includes our Fall Homework Intervention Packets in both English and Spanish, a $5.00 value. Send these packets home with parents to offer additional support for their child's academic learning.
This is wonderful and will absolutely use for my conferences/parent education meetings.
Related Products:
English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Math Assessments For Kindergarten
Kindergarten Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - FALL
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - WINTER
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - SPRING
Preschool Language Arts Assessment Pack
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Are you looking to greatly improve student writing in your kindergarten classroom?
These Writing Continuum Cards align to kindergarten core expectations. These simple cards allow students to self monitor as they work towards the progression to the next level of writing.
This continuum includes six steps: 1) Prewriting 2) Random Letter Stage 3) Emergent Stage 4) Developmental Stage 5) Pre-Conventional Stage 6) Conventional Stage.
Each card describes the characteristics that reflect the writing stage in a “I Can” format. The characteristics are written clearly to allow students understanding of the learning necessary as they move forward to the next writing level. Providing these clearly written anchor cards motivate young writers to aspire to reach greater heights.
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Product Description
Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist Packet Kindergarten
Organize yourself with these important early reading benchmark assessments! This reading assessment packet is filled with classroom tested, research based assessments test important early reading skills. If you would like an assessment that is strategically linked to common core standards, check out our English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Phonemic awareness skills tested are: Rhyme production, syllables, beginning sound, oral blending, and oral segmentation. Phonics skills tested are: Alphabet recognition, alphabet letter sound recognition, decoding simple words, sight words, alphabet letter fluency, and alphabet sound fluency. Other important literacy skills tested are: Correct name formation, comprehension, and early vocabulary.
The assessments are easy to mark, score and report. A rubric is provided with each assessment to easily convert the score to a grade level equivalency of 1-2 or 3 (Intensive Intervention, Strategic Intervention, Benchmark Achieved).
Also included with the packet is a benchmark checklist where scores can be easily recorded and reported to parents as to their child's progress!
Rest assured that your students or your child will be on track with early reading skills by using this handy benchmark tool!
So helpful and easy to use!
Related Products:
English Language Arts Assessments For Kindergarten
Math Assessments For Kindergarten
Kindergarten Reading Benchmark Assessments and Checklist
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - FALL
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - WINTER
Parent Teacher Conference Report Form and Intervention - SPRING
Preschool Language Arts Assessment Pack
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
A portfolio contains work samples that are representative of where a child is at a particular time. It clearly shows development as it continues throughout the school year. A portfolio is an effective assessment tool that authentically documents a child's progress and serves as a great reporting tool as well.
Memory books are also a great tool to keep "favorite" school memories alive. We have merged the memory book idea and included it as part of the portfolio system.
This product has been built for your flexibility. There are portfolio covers and binder end tags provided for all grades Pre-K, K and 1st. There is also a black and white option to run on colored tag, as colored ink is generally at a premium.
The product is then divided into sections: Beginning of the year essentials, month by month work samples, pages to use throughout the year to document memories, and an end of the year section.
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
Are you getting ready for your FALL parent teacher conferences in Kindergarten? You will love this easy form that will make reporting to parents practical, authentic and a breeze!
Bonus! This packet includes our Fall Homework Intervention Packets in both English and Spanish. Send these packets home with parents to offer additional support for their child's academic learning.