INFORMAL FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTSALANA BUTTON AND JOHN TREW

Assessments for ALL Learning: We’re All in this Together!

Alana Button—8th Grade English Language Arts at Bolivar Middle School

John Trew—Middle School and High School Band Director at Bolivar R-1

Let’s play a game….

Question: How many calories do you burn per hour by banging your head against a wall?

Instructions: Everyone get out of you seat and start circulating.

Whenever I call “FREEZE!” you need to stop and be ready to form a group.

If you think the answer is…

50 or less calories: form a group of 251-100 calories: form a group of 3101-150 calories: form a group of 4151 or more calories: form a group of 5

…survey says:

150 calories burned per hour by banging your head against the wall

If you were in a group of 4, you were correct!

Let’s try this again!

Here’s your question: On average, how many people are killed each year by a vending machine falling on top of them?

1 to 3 people: form a group of 24 to 10 people: form a group of 311 to 15 people: form a group of 416 or more people: form a group of 5

….survey says:

On average, 13 people die each year by a vending machine falling on top of them.

Last one, I promise:

Of the following animals, which can sleep for up to three years without eating? Bears (form group of 2) Frogs (form group of 3) Sloth(form group of 4) Snail (form group of 5)

…survey says:

A snail can sleep for up to 3 years without eating. If you were in a group of 5, you are correct!

Mix-Freeze-Group

Directions are on websiteCheck student learning during a unitGets students out of their seatMust work with others and take on

leadership rolesType of informal formative assessment

Informal Formative Assessments

What’s the purpose? Quick check of student learning that guides

instruction Assessments used during instruction (frequently) Effective way to routinely check if students “get

it” Avoid the huge “shock” when grading tests So the purpose: to inform you AND your students

OUR purpose

Show the importance and effectiveness of informal formative assessments

Show techniques applicable to core and elective classrooms

Show “classic” versions and technology driven versions

Check out our websites:

www.missbutton.weebly.comwww.musiclabbolivar.blogspot.com a flipped

classroom approach

Classic Versions

Exit/ Admit Slips Slips of paper that are to be completed

quickly. Usually have a thought provoking statement or question.

Completed at the end of class or at the beginning of class

Invite students to reflect on material presented

Can be used in any content areaTemplates on website

Power Writing

Timed (usually 2 or 3 minutes) writing in response to question or reflection

Good to gage prior knowledge (i.e. Write everything you know about photosynthesis)

Non-stop writing; no stopping to thinkCan be used in any content areaAlso can be used after a lesson

Whiteboard Draw

Requires a personal mini-whiteboard and marker for each student

Can be used to quiz, survey, examples, main idea, possible answers, sequencing, etc.

“1, 2, 3, Draw!”Toward teacher, then “draw” again towards

shoulder partner“Draw” multiple times to see other answersCan also use white paper, note cards, paper

plates, etc.

In 12 word or less

Strategy that can be used after a small amount of study

Writing one sentence summing up the main points

Deciding what is important to includeHelps to guide instruction from thereFill in the gapsDo you students know the “main idea”?Can be used in any content area

Class Vote

To go one step beyond voting, group students and have each group select a speaker to take share their “stance”

Teacher is the judge and decides who justified answer the best

Could be used in a Social Studies classroom for debates/political issues

Four Corners

Assign vocabulary words, concepts, or questions to each corner of the room

Students are assigned a corner and must respond as a group to the prompt

Each corner shares outCan be used in any content areaShould be more general concepts, instead of

“debatable” theories

Counting QuizAssessment of whole group-Instant feedback on who

remembers previous material covered.

Counting Quiz

Performance Based IFA

Strategies apply to performance based assessment.

Discussion and Teacher feedback are used to improve performance of skill/concept.

Methods or Techniquesfor Authentic Assessment

Performance demonstrations or tests such as playing a chordal song accompaniment on an instrument or clapping a steady beat while singing a song.

Audio or video recordings that document samples of students’ musical behavior.

Portfolios that chronicle and monitor student learning over a period of time.

Interview or conferences with students to determine the depth of their understanding and give students a chance to reflect on their achievement.

From The Musical Classroom. 5th Ed. 2001. Prentice Hall.

Band Strategies

Full Ensemble Snippet- Entire Ensemble performs selection of music. Recording/playback/discussion/immediate director feedback

Section Snippet- Single/multiple sections perform selection of music. Recording/playback/discussion/immediate director feedback

Band Cont.

Individual Snippet- One or two students perform the selection of music with director providing immediate feedback and encouragement.

Sight Seeing- In six minutes or less, performers look over new music and look for cues to how the music is to be performed. (Same process used during state music festivals)

Band Cont.

3-2-1- Students write down on index card three new music concepts recently presented, two examples where concept is used in the music, and one unresolved question or confusing concept.

Muddiest Measure- Students write down on index card the measure number of a measure of music and concept they are struggling to perform. (Rhythmic combination, new fingering)

8th Grade Rehearsal

Day 2 of having new music, band piece “NEMESIS.” Director conducts ensemble and listens for:

Tone Quality, dynamic accuracy, correct time signature

Tempo consistency, accurate accidentals, proper posture

Key Signature - Eb Concert, accurate articulationsBlending within section, rhythmic accuracyHorn carriage, breath supportBalance across the ensemble, accurate repeats,

intonation

After each snippet, the director leads discussion of missed notes and concepts, and gives feedback for improved performance.

Sound Clip 1,2 “Nemesis” mm 9-17- Full Ensemble Snippet

Sound Clip 3,4 “Nemesis” mm 9-17- Alto Sax Section Snippets

Sound Clip 5 “Nemesis” mm 17-25- Full Ensemble Snippet Sound Clip 6-8 “Nemesis” mm 17-25- Trumpet Section

Snippets Sound Clip 9-11 “Nemesis” mm 17-25- Clarinet

Section/Individual Snippets

Technology used in band:

Self recorded chair tests-assesses individual skill level at that time, while providing competition and goals to achieve.

Self-recording, using UJAM (lab website)-new concept of student recording at home and sharing when at school. Assesses performer’s ability to play in time with a recorded song or metronome.

Smart Music Studiowww.smartmusic.com

Other Encore IFAs:

Exit Slip (percussion goal for the quarter-student self reflects and teacher acquires information on weak areas in section)

Note Naming Quiz (timed, reward is bragging rights! Students reflect on what notes need more work)

Carousel Brainstorming-While Carousel Brainstorming, students will rotate around the classroom in small groups, stopping at various stations for a designated amount of time. While at each station, students will activate their prior knowledge of different topics or different aspects of a single topic through conversation with peers.  Ideas shared will be posted at each station for all groups to read.  Through movement and conversation, prior knowledge will be activated, providing scaffolding for new information to be learned in the proceeding lesson activity.

Other Encore IFAs:

Oral Presentation, Reflection, and Share outDaily Journal EntriesSpeed Typing Guided ClassworkQuestioning and Dialogue

Integrating Technology

Websites (resources, links, practice samples, etc)

ComputersClickersSmartBoardsiPads

**Note: Nearly ANY of the “classic” informal formative assessments can be applied using a variety of technology.

Website: Weebly

Assignments tabImport PowerPoint lessons, word documents,

website links, photo albums, etc.Google Docs, Forms, Spreadsheets, and

Presentations

Google Drive

Must have an active Gmail accountStores all of your documents in one place,

accessible from anywhere with internet access

Saves automaticallyCan connect and share with co-workers

Google Forms

Tests/SurveysUser friendlyQuestions can be multiple choice, fill in the

blank, checkboxes, choose from a list, scale, and grid.

Option to make certain questions required before allowing form to be submitted

Results in a spreadsheet of data

Examples of Forms

https://drive.google.com/?authuser=0#my-drive

http://missbutton.weebly.com/assignments.html

iPad for Formative Assessments

Many apps can be accessed on desk top computers

Used in all content areas

Socrative

Similar to Google FormsQuestions in the form of multiple choice and

short answerGrades multiple choice quizzesAlso shows data at the end of the quizStudents are given a number in which they

connectTeacher opens and closes quiz

Nearpod

Similar to Socrative in that student connects with teacher lesson

Upload PowerPoint presentations and students follow along

Questions embedded throughout lessonQuestions can be poll, multiple choice,

whiteboard fill in the blankImmediate data providedCan be used in any content area

Flashcardlet

Can be accessed on desktops/laptops (Quizlet)

Ready made decks of flashcards, or you can create your own deck (and share)

Used after instructionExcellent for practicing terms

Educreations Interactive Whiteboard

Students can create a “lesson” or demonstration of knowledge

Able to write or type, alongside voice recording

Import pictures and linksFormative Assessment: teaching othershttp://missbutton.weebly.com/plc.html

Popplet (Lite)

Brainstorming App Export and Share with othersK-W-L: Make a Popplet of what you

know/what you want to know before lesson, and add popplets as the lesson proceeds

Snap Guide

Similar to PowerPointStudents can move slide by slide, adding a

picture or video to each slideCan be used on desktopsWriting: story tellingMath: Step by step instructions to solving an

equationSocial Studies: timeline of events

Blogging

Can be accessed from desktopQuestion or prompt to start discussion (or

incorporation of standard)Bounce ideas off each otherTeacher can easily interact and make

comments

Email us!

abutton@bolivarschools.orgjtrew@bolivarschools.org