For example, you can use colored stacking cups that allow kids to flag that they’re all set (green cup), working through some confusion (yellow), or really confused and in need of help (red). Within the hour I had talked to every student in my class, I knew where I had to re-teach, and the students who struggled with writing were really pleased with the option of an oral assessment. That’s why it’s important to keep it simple: Formative assessments generally just need to be checked, not graded, as the point is to get a basic read on the progress of individuals, or the class as a whole. 1. Low-stakes quizzes and polls: If you want to find out whether your students really know as much as you think they know, polls and quizzes created with Socrative or Quizlet or in-class games and tools like Quizalize, Kahoot, FlipQuiz, Gimkit, Plickers, and Flippity can help you get a better sense of how much they really understand. Stoplight. Once relationships are created, instructional strategies can be catered to fit and challenge the students. This activity can be used as a short assignment in class or as an exit slip. The world is really your oyster. Fun fact! A few of the items on this list can serve as exit tickets, but the basic idea is the students … Summarizing not only tells you whether or not your students understand the material, it also is a skill that will stay with your students forever. The teachers gives the students a question, or prompt, and they have to move themselves to the corner that they most feel. I have been an educator for 10 years whether that be in the classroom, a department head, a teacher mentor, or leading professional development. Drop a comment below with your favorite type of formative assessments either from the list, or one that you already do. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Because you can design the questions yourself, you determine the level of complexity. Designing just the right assessment can feel high stakes—for teachers, not students—because we’re using it to figure out what comes next. Low-stakes quizzes and polls: If you want to find out whether your students really know as much as you think they... 3. However, you can use whatever responses you would like. This strategy could be extended to 5 minutes for high school level, or AP class as well. Give each student a green, yellow, and red card to keep on their desk. For more introverted students—or for more private assessments—use Flipgrid, Explain Everything, or Seesaw to have students record their answers to prompts and demonstrate what they can do. Teachers can see each kid’s response, and determine both individually and in aggregate how students are doing. Entry and exit slips: Those marginal minutes at the beginning and end of class can provide some great opportunities... 2. Here are some of my favorites: Oh exit slips…how I love thee. Several self-assessments let the teacher see what every kid thinks very quickly. Do our students need a different path into the concepts? If you have read any of my posts, you know that I am in love with Kagan strategies. Quick Feedback: Socrative can be used for quick quizzes and also on the fly, as I’ve already shared. A focused observation form is more formal and can help you narrow your note-taking focus as you watch students work. Then we'll give examples of the quickest (and most fun) tools for you to use. One is geared toward middle/high school age and the other is geared towards elementary. When they are paired, they can review information, or they can answer a prompt from the teacher. One area in which I know that I need to be more vigilant about next school year is formative assessments. Great formative assessment should have the following facets: It should be goal-oriented, and derived from what we do every day. The tasks can be performance based, recall, analyzing, compare/contrast, really anything you want.