Assessment is a key component for instruction. Assessment for, as, and of learning should be integrated throughout a balanced mathematics program.
Assessment FOR Learning provides teachers with information to modify and differentiate teaching and learning activities. Assessment for learning takes place on a daily basis. It can take the form of a diagnostic assessment, such as PRIME, Gap Closing, and ONAP diagnostics. Bansho is another great example of a formative assessment, as are observations and conversations or interviews regarding a specific concept. Below is an assessment for learning exploration tracking sheet that I have used in my classroom while students were investigating and creating equivalent fractions.
Assessment AS Learning also happens daily in the classroom. Students are becoming more metacognitively aware of their math thinking and reflect on their learning using the success criteria. We co-create the success criteria in our classroom and students are able to use it independently to complete self and peer reflections. Students are also beginning to give and apply descriptive feedback that is given to them to enhance their learning. Below is an example of a self or peer assessment that I've used in my class with a measurement parallel task.
Assessment OF Learning is summative and demonstrates student understanding of the curriculum expectations. Assessment of learning can take on many forms - culminating tasks and projects, unit tests, quizzes, etc. It measures the students ability of what has been taught and confirms what students know and can do. I often provide parallel tasks and choice assignments to my students, but forget to do so when it comes to assessment of learning. I would like to start implementing choice assignments into my assessment of learning practices, allowing students to choose between completing a unit test or a culminating task or project to demonstrate their understanding. Below is an example of an assessment of learning activity I used with my Grade 4 class on representing fractions. A rubric is included to assess the task.
