Formative Assessment:
Formative assessments are the assessments that take place during learning. These are so important for educators to know especially as they are working to create a success plan for each of their students. Formative assessment are something that every educator can and should be doing in their room. Some examples or ways to do a formative assessment could be as follows:
1. Exit/ Entrance Tickets: Which can be done as students are entering or exiting the room to get a quick snapshot of student knowledge. It could be a blank piece of paper or a paper that the educator provides and example is below!
1. Exit/ Entrance Tickets: Which can be done as students are entering or exiting the room to get a quick snapshot of student knowledge. It could be a blank piece of paper or a paper that the educator provides and example is below!
2. Think Pair Share: This is when two partners are paired up and each is given the needed time to share their learning. The educator may assess by walking around and listening or participating with the student.
3. 3-2-1 Writing: This is where students write 3 things that they learned, 2 things they already knew, and 1 thing they want to learn more about this can be done as an assignment or as a Entrance or Exit Ticket.
4. Project Creation: This is when students create a project about their learning. It’s giving them the creative freedom to show what they are learning and work on it throughout learning to show content knowledge.
5. Games/ Polls: This can be done to gauge student learning and can show how much content knowledge they have it is a game or poll incorporating the content. A great resource would be Blooket!
3. 3-2-1 Writing: This is where students write 3 things that they learned, 2 things they already knew, and 1 thing they want to learn more about this can be done as an assignment or as a Entrance or Exit Ticket.
4. Project Creation: This is when students create a project about their learning. It’s giving them the creative freedom to show what they are learning and work on it throughout learning to show content knowledge.
5. Games/ Polls: This can be done to gauge student learning and can show how much content knowledge they have it is a game or poll incorporating the content. A great resource would be Blooket!
There are so many different ways to do formative assessment but it’s so important that as an educator you are doing formative assessment because it helps you to monitor student growth and progress.
Resource: University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education. (2023, June 9). 14 examples of formative assessment [+faqs]. University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education. https://pce.sandiego.edu/14-examples-of-formative-assessment-faqs/
Game, P. (n.d.). 37 effective teaching strategies & techniques: Prodigy education. 37 Effective Teaching Strategies & Techniques | Prodigy Education | Prodigy Education. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/teaching-strategies/
Resource: University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education. (2023, June 9). 14 examples of formative assessment [+faqs]. University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education. https://pce.sandiego.edu/14-examples-of-formative-assessment-faqs/
Game, P. (n.d.). 37 effective teaching strategies & techniques: Prodigy education. 37 Effective Teaching Strategies & Techniques | Prodigy Education | Prodigy Education. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/teaching-strategies/
Classroom Technology:
What is Classroom Technology?
Classroom Technology is any technology that is used within the classroom meaning it could be smart board, projectors, tablets, chrome books, translators, text to speech, etc. There are so many different forms of technology that we as educators use everyday that we don’t even realize! So what if we were more intentional with how we were using the technology. What if we checked the video before we put it in the presentation? Would it make a difference? I’m here to tell you yes! Everything having to do with technology is the language that are kids are now speaking technology is everywhere it is all around them and it is powerful so what you choose to do with technology that you have access to matters!
What are Some Meaningful Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom?
1. Virtual Field Trips: Personally this one never crossed my mind until this year, but with the world at your finger tips virtual field trips are a no brainer it allows kids to learn about new places and explore. This can be done as a class or through and individual assignment.
2. Mini Lesson: Smart boards and Projectors are great for those mini lessons or number talks you’ve been wanting to do because you can create PowerPoints to prompt conversation and guide the lesson.
3. Online Assignments: Most students in schools now have access to chrome books or tablets and this gives them the opportunity to use school approved websites to create assignments to help give you a gauge of their learning. It also keeps them engaged because it’s something that they want to be doing.
4. Text to Speech: Technology not only helps teachers in the classroom it also helps students technology can help students to speak and for a child with a disability that is everything especially in the classroom!
5. Research: Students are able to research and learn for the topics they might be writing about in class. They are able to now look up information immediately for the paper they are writing
What are some websites I can use for my students?
There are so many great websites out there, but I would definitely recommend looking into Seesaw, RAZ Kids, Pebble Go, Xtra Math, IReading, Starfall, etc. There are so many great websites and if you look typically districts will have list of some great websites kids can go to for learning!
Resources:
10 benefits & uses for technology in the classroom: Lumen learning. Lumen Learning | Open for student success. (2021, October 29). https://lumenlearning.com/technology-in-the-classroom/
Game, P. (n.d.). 37 effective teaching strategies & techniques: Prodigy education. 37 Effective Teaching Strategies & Techniques | Prodigy Education | Prodigy Education. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/teaching-strategies/
Classroom Technology is any technology that is used within the classroom meaning it could be smart board, projectors, tablets, chrome books, translators, text to speech, etc. There are so many different forms of technology that we as educators use everyday that we don’t even realize! So what if we were more intentional with how we were using the technology. What if we checked the video before we put it in the presentation? Would it make a difference? I’m here to tell you yes! Everything having to do with technology is the language that are kids are now speaking technology is everywhere it is all around them and it is powerful so what you choose to do with technology that you have access to matters!
What are Some Meaningful Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom?
1. Virtual Field Trips: Personally this one never crossed my mind until this year, but with the world at your finger tips virtual field trips are a no brainer it allows kids to learn about new places and explore. This can be done as a class or through and individual assignment.
2. Mini Lesson: Smart boards and Projectors are great for those mini lessons or number talks you’ve been wanting to do because you can create PowerPoints to prompt conversation and guide the lesson.
3. Online Assignments: Most students in schools now have access to chrome books or tablets and this gives them the opportunity to use school approved websites to create assignments to help give you a gauge of their learning. It also keeps them engaged because it’s something that they want to be doing.
4. Text to Speech: Technology not only helps teachers in the classroom it also helps students technology can help students to speak and for a child with a disability that is everything especially in the classroom!
5. Research: Students are able to research and learn for the topics they might be writing about in class. They are able to now look up information immediately for the paper they are writing
What are some websites I can use for my students?
There are so many great websites out there, but I would definitely recommend looking into Seesaw, RAZ Kids, Pebble Go, Xtra Math, IReading, Starfall, etc. There are so many great websites and if you look typically districts will have list of some great websites kids can go to for learning!
Resources:
10 benefits & uses for technology in the classroom: Lumen learning. Lumen Learning | Open for student success. (2021, October 29). https://lumenlearning.com/technology-in-the-classroom/
Game, P. (n.d.). 37 effective teaching strategies & techniques: Prodigy education. 37 Effective Teaching Strategies & Techniques | Prodigy Education | Prodigy Education. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/teaching-strategies/
Flexible Seating:
Flexible Seating is something that is really controversial among teachers, but something that I think is so important! Flexible Seating allows students the choice of how they learn it gives them the opportunity to get comfortable. I can remember sitting at those desk thinking how uncomfortable they were all the way throughout grade school and it wasn’t until I had this amazing math teacher in 7th grade who allowed us to use flexible seating. He had two yoga balls. I know what you’re think that’s a disaster waiting to happen, but with the proper instruction and direction there was no problem and truly I loved it because I felt so comfortable. That’s why now as an educator I almost always will have some of my students who have flexible seating. Now there is a lot of fancy flexible seats that can be used, but you could also just have students sitting or laying down while you are teaching. There are so many options!
So what are the benefits? It improves student engagement and improves overall classroom environment. I know most teacher have flexible seating without realizing but wouldn’t it be amazing if we were intentional about it and set the clear expectations for students when using each flexible seating item?
So what are the benefits? It improves student engagement and improves overall classroom environment. I know most teacher have flexible seating without realizing but wouldn’t it be amazing if we were intentional about it and set the clear expectations for students when using each flexible seating item?
Resources: Minero, E. (2015, August 4). Flexible seating elevates student engagement. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/practice/flexible-classrooms-providing-learning-environment-kids-need
Game, P. (n.d.). 37 effective teaching strategies & techniques: Prodigy education. 37 Effective Teaching Strategies & Techniques | Prodigy Education | Prodigy Education. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/teaching-strategies/
Game, P. (n.d.). 37 effective teaching strategies & techniques: Prodigy education. 37 Effective Teaching Strategies & Techniques | Prodigy Education | Prodigy Education. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/teaching-strategies/