Formative Assessments

Some have called them "comprehension checks" or "checking for understanding"; some may associate these with "pop quizzes." All of these can be forms of formative assessments, but, more importantly, the underlying concern of whether or not kids grasp concepts has become a focal point in contemporary education. Here are a couple of resources regarding formative assessments:

1. BASIC DEFINITION &  EXPLANATION

 
    "Formative Assessment and Assessment for Learning" (from Seven Strategies of Assessment
     for Learning)

• "Formal and informal processes teachers and students use to gather evidence for improving learning"
• "Use of classroom discussions, classroom tasks, and homework to determine the current state of student learning/understanding, with action taken to improve learning/correct misunderstandings"
•  "Provision of descriptive feedback, with guidance on how to improve, during the learning"
• "Development of student self- and peer-assessment skills"

2. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT RESOURCE

   

     Interactive Learning Menus (Choice Boards) Using Google Docs from shakeuplearning.com.

• quick
• easy
• low-prep
• adaptable
• choice and differentiation