Assess with Plickers

Have you heard of Plickers? Plickers is a free teacher created app that uses an internet connected mobile device and a student's unique Plicker card.  Teachers create questions.  Students use their Plicker card to select an answer and hold it up as the teacher scans the cards using an iPad or smartphone.  Data is reported and collected instantly!

Assessing with Plickers is a great alternative to traditional means of data collecting.

I used Plickers to create a formative assessment about American symbols.  The questions I asked my students were created to help inform my instruction.  We took this as a pre-test and will take it again at the conclusion of our unit.

Here is a sample.

What I like about it is that I can ask all or a group of my students questions.  Since their Plicker cards are unique, students are less apt to "copy" each other.  Students also love the fact that technology is incorporated.

To learn more about Plickers, this video was very helpful.

Teaching American symbols is one of my favorite units.  Read more about our writing and craft ideas from these previous posts.

My students are learning more about America. Many know very little. We made these hearts to go with the book I Am America. #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram

A photo posted by Mrs.Parker (@learningwithmrsparker) on Feb 19, 2015 at 8:13pm PST

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A New Beginning

I just love that as teachers we have many opportunities for new beginnings; or clean slates.  It always seems that after Winter Break something magical seems to happen to kindergarteners.  They have a better understanding of school and are ready for the next phase in learning.

Months ago, I purchased this craftivity from All Students Can Shine knowing that I would use it to help us set our learning goals.

To begin, we read Squirrel's New Year's Resolution.  We learned about resolutions and come up with a definition for this word based on the book.

Then, we looked at our ESGI data.  I showed the class our data for language arts and math.  But they wanted to know more. They asked if they could see their own data. So, I showed them each their data. As I did, we talked about the areas which we all excelled and those which were important for our overall learning success.  As we had this discussion, I could tell that some students were beginning to understand the impact learning has.

I met with each student individually to talk about their resolutions.  Each child was honest and did an excellent job of selecting a resolution that reflected what they needed the most to be successful in the classroom.  We talked about how we could each support one another to help make their resolution a success.

I love this bulletin board and plan to keep it up for the remainder of the year. Why? Because it will serve as a reminder of our learning goals.

What does your class do to reflect upon their learning?

Happy Teaching!

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Progress Monitoring

I spent last week doing this; highlighting and analyzing data to report out to parents about their child's learning.  Along the way, it gave me a chance to reflect upon my teaching practices and student learning.     

For the past few years, our kindergarten team has used ESGI to create, test and collect data about our students.  What is ESGI?  ESGI is an assessment tool which allows teachers to create 1-1 assessments.  What I love about this program is that the data is instantaneous.  In the past, we used to give assessments but never had a way to see "gaps in learning."  With ESGI, you can.  It has revolutionized the way our team creates assessments.  In fact, we use ESGI for all of our "formal" assessments.  

Here is what my ESGI page looks like.  

I actually send this pie chart home to parents so that they can compare their child's data with the class average. In addition, I am able to send individual test results which show "correct and incorrect" responses on each assessment given. Parents love this because it shows them exactly what their child needs.  The Test Result Letters are customizable and available in Spanish if needed.

As a team, we use ESGI in a variety of ways.  We are able to create "like" assessments for both our English and Spanish classes; especially in the area of math.  Our Bilingual teacher is also able to create assessments that fit the need of her students.  We can also create some paper and pencil exams and then input the results into the system so that it is in one collective spot.  We do this for number writing and counting objects.  More importantly, we use the data to create our intervention groups.  We usually work on one to two skills based on our data and pull our small groups for intense intervention.  We will progress monitor this group of student once every three weeks to see their progress.

Here are a few reasons why I love ESGI and would recommend it to any primary teacher.

Happy Teaching!

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Soaring to New Heights - Learning Goals

As a teacher, we are probably by nature reflective types of individuals.  We tend to think about what went well, what could go better and what not to do the next time.  Many times, though, we may not share that reflection with others; especially the little ones we teach. I feel that it is important that my students begin to understand the importance of reflecting about their learning.

First, we analyzed our data results from ESGI.  

Basically, I explained that we wanted to fill up the pie with as much green as possible.  I had shared the results with the class prior to break and many students had seen their individual results during parent conferences. As you can see, there is room for improvement.  

Then, we talked about what it is like to set a goal. I gave them the analogy that many people want to loose weight.  What are some things to do to accomplish this goal?  My favorite answer; call 1-800-Get-Thin. I asked if eating at McDonald's would help meet the goal of loosing weight.  They all answered no.

My UP inspired door

Next, we read this gem.  As I read, I paused and stopped about the things Leo could do to meet his goal.  To help Leo learn to read, students said that Leo would need to practice or ask for help.  To become better at drawing, a child suggested that he trace over pictures from a book.  Towards the end, as Leo accomplished the goal, the kids began to smile and cheer for Leo.  They were so proud of him.  I couldn't help but to think how some of my students were like Leo; waiting for the right moment when they, too, will "bloom."

Finally, we discussed our learning goals.  I was amazed by their candor and honesty.  One student remarked how their learning goal was to write their name correctly.  This child was absolutely correct.  No more CAPITALS.  Another student said, "I need to practice my rhyming."  Ding. Ding. Ding.  Right again.  So, now, we begin our journey.  Together.  Working with one another to meet our goals.  Let's just hope that we all succeed.

By the way....just in case you were wondering. Here is my goal. 

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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I'm Busy

It's the busiest time of the year.....ASSESSMENTS!

I convinced  suggested that we purchase ESGI to use with our assessments.  I love it!  And, so do my teammates.  We are able to use some on the system tests and create our own assessments.  No more shuffling papers, gathering supplies, etc.  Just click and go.  Data in an instant!  (And, I don't know about your school....but we are all about data.)

Here is the problem! TESTING TAKES FOREVER!!!!!!  It is 1-1.  In the pre-reading section, there are 4 tests times 21 kids.  There are 3 sections. You get the drift.

My poor kiddos!  They loose valuable instruction time.  :(    I try to only test during center time.  But I still get those kids who want to show you their work or just stop by to chat.

So, I've created this little sign to remind them that I'm busy.  I plan to insert it into a little frame and display at my computer where I am testing.

Click image for your copy.

What are some of your tricks of the trade to keep kids at bay while you assess?  Let me know.  I hope I'm not the only one who has this problem.

Happy Sunday all!  I'm hoping to watch a lot of football while planning for the week and getting some report cards started.

Happy Teaching and Learning!

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Preparing for Reading Assessments

March means assessments, progress reports, and conferences. Regardless of the grade you teach, they are time consuming to give and prepare for.

Last year, we switched reading assessment programs. To help me stay organized, I copied all the assessments for the grades I teach. In my case, this means Levels 1 to 24.  I did not do this all at one time; rather a little each trimester. My goal was to have enough copies to avoid needing one more copy while giving a reading assessment.


Here is a copy of the assessment that goes along with Nick's Snowman. As you can see, it is four pages long!

I reduced the size and copied them onto legal sized paper to save paper. Now, each set contains the reading assessment book, the master of the reading assessment and 20-25 copies of the reading assessment.

 

All are filed in my portable filling cart which I keep by my guided reading area.

Now, I have everything I need at my fingertips!

Happy Teaching and Learning!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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