Tag Archives: assessments

Data Collection, again!

Data Collecting sends SHIVERS DOWN MY SPINE!

2 Replies

Data Collecting!

 

The words that send

SHIVERS

down 

EVERY TEACHER’S

BACK!

WHY? HOW? WHEN?

Relax…take a breath…

go to your “HAPPY PLACE!”

 

Data Collecting is very important in education.

We as educators not only need to deliver the instruction, but we do have the need to ensure our students master and apply the knowledge we are delivering.
 
For me, it was a
CHANGE of  MINDSET.
When I change my lifestyle, I need a WHY?
Why am I doing this? Why is it needed? 
WHY?  WHY?  WHY?
 
BECAUSE.

 

Collecting data is NOT about the numbers.

It’s NOT about “judging” my teaching. It’s NOT about seeing 
HOW many of my students DID or DID NOT master a concept.
 
It’s about looking for those SMALL skills,
those giant holes,
those little tweeks that
are missing FOR THE CHILD! 
What areas are missing…so I can fill them!
 
IT’S NOT ABOUT ME???
 
NOPE!
 
It’s about the KIDS!
 
Data is to help our kids.
 
OK.   So  HOW?
 
There are a MULTITUDE of  assessments
that you can use. 
In this day and age, I bet your district has a LONG list of assessments
they want you to use.
USE them!
 
Don’t just give the test & move to the next lesson.
LOOK  AT  THE  DATA!
 
You might be surprised at what you see!
 
I recently gave a math assessment to my firsties.
We had spent 4-5 weeks (YES WEEKS) on place value!
Tens and ones.  Tens and ones.  
OVER  AND  OVER!
 
After my “district” math assessment,
I noticed a trend…
On 5-6 of the tests  ( 25%  of my class..)
they missed 3-4 questions about 
adding ten to a number.
 
WHAT? ADDING TEN IS EASY!
 
We had gone over tens & ones,
tens & ones…   BUT…
 
I “assumed”
…remember what they say about 
ASSUME…
 
that it would be easy for them 
because they understood place value!
 
So…a week later of
SMALL  GROUP   math
  …adding tens to numbers
 
SHAZAM!
 
100%  on the place value review test!
So what if I gave the review test again?
They didn’t get it the first time!
 
It is NOT important that 
OUR numbers
 look good to others!
 
What is important is
DO THE KIDS KNOW IT?
 
Knowledge vs. numbers.
 
WOW!
A New MINDSET!
 
If you are looking for some reading/writing assessments 
to HELP your kiddos…
THIS WILL HELP!
 
See how I use it 
 HERE…
guided math data

Using Math DATA for Guided Math Groups

2 Replies

How do we use MATH data for Guided Math Groups?

I teach MATH.
I “think”
I teach math well.
 
BUT..
 
HOW  DO  I  KNOW  IF  THEY  “GET  IT”???
 
How do I know if they have mastered ( or internalized )
the concept,
 
BEFORE  THE  TESTING  BEGINS???
 
Student at a computer.

Students work with technology during Guided Math groups.

 
 
I mean…it’s NOT..
I REPEAT…NOT
always about 
 
THE  TEST!
 
But.. my kiddos WANT to do well!
 
Even in First Grade, they KNOW!
 
They KNOW TESTS COUNT!
 
Whether or not we like tests or don’t,
 
TESTS  COUNT!
 
And so..
 
How do I know if they are ready?

How do I use Guided Math data to help students?

 
Girl with cubes.

Students work with manipulatives during guided math .

Boy with cubes.

Boy counting place value cubes during guided math.

 
 
I have a district purchased math curriculum 
I am required to teach.
 
We use  Expressions.
 
Math Expressions

Math Expressions is my district curriculum.

 
 
I have a pacing guide from my district to use as a “tool”
to
Keep ME on track.
 
Mostly to ensure I have taught the required concepts for 
THE TEST!
 
I am NOT a fan of WASTED WORKSHEETS!
 
SOME…I LIKE!
SOME…I DON’T!
 
So …now what?
 
I NEED DATA!
 
SHOW ME WHAT YOU KNOW!
 
And so..
THEY DO!
 
Here is my Lesson on
ADDITION using 3 digits:
 
whole class math lesson.

Whole Class math lesson with photo

Whole class math lesson.

Whole class math lesson with groups.

Independents math groups.

Independent math practice during guided math groups.

Independent math

Independent math becomes data for guided math groups.

Differentiated math data.

Differentiated math. The data becomes our groups.

So..  NOW  WHAT?
 

Now I have LOTS of DATA  (Student information)

 to put students into

  guided MATH groups!

I have noted students who need scaffolding in:
number sense
subitizing
numbers beyond 10
addition
grouping numbers
writing numbers
expanding numbers
place value
shape recognition
 
AND ALL OF THIS..
 
with 2 pieces of white paper & some crayons!
 
But…  
in the next few weeks
 
when we
 
“TEST”
 
My kiddos will “GET IT”!
 
I know they will!
 
If YOU need any help with 
 
Check out …
 
Monkey Math

Monkey Math

Monkey math

Monkey Math preview

Monkey math centers

Monkey math centers

 
for  GRADE  1
 
See how I use it  HERE  and  HERE
 
AND
 
Buggy Math

Buggy Math for Second Grade

 
For  GRADE  2
 
See how I use it HERE
I also have MORE MATH Products…
 
Math Talk.

Math Talk. Math Discussions.

Place Value

Sticks and Stones Place Value

Thanks for following!
 
Here’s a FREEBIE for YOUR TIME! 🙂
ks  and  Stones
Strategy Book

FREEBIE…Strategy Book for Making 10

 
ENJOY!

What’s UP in Room 3?

Leave a reply

Have I mentioned…

I  LOVE  FALL

OK…Many times.

I live in NORCAL.

We don’t have the  TRADITIONAL

4 seasons.

DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE  4   ????

In NORCAL…

we have

Summer ( 90-100 degrees )

Fall   (  80-90 degrees)

Winter   (  foggy…  60-70 degrees…sometimes cooler )

Spring  ( 70-90 degrees )

It’sOK…I LOVE my HOMETOWN.

Sometimes.

OH…well…  🙂

And so on.

SO now that it’s 80 degrees & FALL..

What’s UP in ROOM 3??

BRAG  TAGS!

We use Brag Tags on rings during the month.

They earn BRAG TAGS

for

 following classroom / school rules

AND

Lifeskills

At the end of each month…

They  transfer  their earned BRAG TAGS  from RINGS..

To  string  necklaces.

They get to wear their necklaces ALL DAY AT SCHOOL

and then

HOME!

( Parents are told at BTS night

 to REWARD their kids for necklaces

 at the end of the month!)  🙂

English   Language   Arts

Word  Sorts…NO GLUE!

Pick 3 crayons.

Color the words according to the KEY!

Write!

Back from 2 week vacation.

TEACHER…..CLEAN   YOUR   TABLE!

 I don’t have a teacher desk.           #bestdecisionever

Reading  ROCKERS!    #alternativeseating

Birthday  Books.

On each student’s brthday  ( or close  to ),

We make a class BIRTHDAY  BOOK!

We  do these during  MUST DO TIME!

Independent  work.

We have a “FRAME” style we use.

Everyone makes a page.

We STAPLE together and VOILA!

CLASS   BIRTHDAY  PRESENT!

We sing and dance as we PRESENT ( haha )  it to the birthday  student!

LAST..( whew..what a  week !)

GUIDED MATH

My  newest  &  favorite time of the day!

 We are doing

MATH  MUST  DO’s  &  MAY  Do’s

( Same format as ELA centers in the AM )

KEEP  YOUR  ROUTINES  THE  SAME!

We go the the MATH  Calendar  (  next to ELA  Calendar  )

after  lunch.

Math  Calendar

After  we go through the “math board”…

We NOW ( Quarter 2)  do MATH MUST DO’S.

(  Approx.  45   minutes  )

Must DO’s

#1    MATH    JOURNAL

Story  Problem  with  illustrations &  number  sentence.

#2    Math  Paper

A  Workbook Page FROM  YESTERDAY ( review )

#3    MATH   TUB  (center)  with a PARTNER

I do the whole class MATH lesson  BEFORE  centers.

SOMETIMES we do the workbook page together…sometimes they do.

Depends on the Lesson.  We  have a district curriculum to follow.

( Approx.  time    45  minutes  )

What  am I doing?

GUIDED   MATH   GROUPS!

I meet with 2-3  kids at a time.

We work on a STRATEGY.

NO  worksheets!

They need  to have independent  strategies to do ON THEIR OWN!

I  can’t  take the assessments  FOR THEM!

So…

Here  is  what’s  UP  in room 3!

Need  supplements for ELA  or MATH?

Check out my store for GOODIES!

1stgradefireworks

A HOLIDAY BUNDLE FOR YOU!

Leave a reply

Holiday BUNDLE for YOU! WAHOO!

I LOVE A SALE!
I mean…I am the “frugal” MOM!
Once,  I brought a calculator grocery shoping with me…AND CASH!
No mistakes!
Get the best for less!
Coupons….OH YEAH!
I even told my son..if  HE would cut coupons & figure out 2 for one’s, etc etc..
I would pay him a percentage of the savings!
Kinda like  a “FINDER’S FEE”!
Ok..I’m CHEAP!
I make my own coffee ( Starbuck’s like 2-3 times a year..  )
I take my lunch to school.
I shop for clothes…AT WALMART!
( I CANNOT PAY $50 for a pair of JEANS!)
So…I thought I would share a BUNDLE ..
A BUNDLE OF SAVINGS
FOR YOU!
The holidays are coming.
We will need to keep the kiddos FOCUSED!
Still have to do testing, report cards, gifts for parents, decorations, etc..etc..etc..
This will help keep them focused!
To help out…. here you are!
5 PACKETS!
WHAT?
YES!  ALL  5  PACKETS!
You get…
Fun, engaging….PLACE VALUE,
and
LOOKS great on a BULLETIN BOARD!
YESSSS!
And…
4 ELA centers to keep going through January! 🙂
AND…
MATH?
Kiddos need math parctice?
Centers?
Whole class SCOOT?
YEP!
1 Less, 1 MORE,  10 Less AND 10 MORE!
AND…
Grammar practice or ASSESSMENT!
( Two birds with one stone!)
AND…
(Whew!)
4 ELA centers…
FUN & ENGAGING!
WOW!
All of that in ONE  BUNDLE!
Stop by my TPT  Store to check it out!
Click on pic…
While you are there,
check out these too!
All available in my TPT store!
Happy Holidays!
🙂

Nibits for Newbies 9.13.15

Leave a reply

Nibits for Newbies 9.13.15

If it’s SUNDAY…
It’s time for
NIBITS FOR NEWBIES!
This week’s theme..
ASSESSMENTS!
I am getting ready for quarter 1 report cards. ( UGH!)
(Not my FAVORITE thing to do!)
So..we give an ELA reading & writing assessment from our reading program.
This “benchmark” assessment populates the report card automatically.
The report card itself is designed “around” the assessment.
The CCSS  standards are “interwoven” into the assessment.
What that means is, I cannot verify FROM THIS ASSESSMENT if a student has mastered a common core standard or not.
When I give my grades, I want to be sure I am accurate
& I want parents to know what we
( ALL OF US ) are working on!
So…MY TURN!
I give each of my student’s
INDIVIDUAL assessments to determine if they have mastered Quarter 1 CCSS standards
OR
if they are in DIRE need of MORE HELP!
(From me, an assistant, intervention teacher, parent, etc)
So here are a few examples of the assessments I GIVE…
Running Record
 As they are reading I record what words they can read ( with a check mark) and missed words           ( looking for what skills did they usse & what are they lacking).
I check their independent reading forms from IN CLASS & AT HOME.
We have BOTH.
I check their past spelling tests. Are they working on words families?
Do they know their HFW?
( Usually kids who DO NOT know their HFW are struggling readers.)
What DO they know about about reading?
 And….letters & sounds…
 We assess writing.
Can they write a complete sentence?
Capitals? Punctuation? Topic Sentence?  Handwriting?
 And this one I HAD to do this week!
Do they know the KINDERGARTEN HFW?
Our program moves on….very little kinder review.
So…The HIGHLIGHTED words are the words this student DOES NOT KNOW!
Sent home to practice every day for 20 school days.
Then,  assess again!
So …crazy times!
Relax …remember…it’s about helping kids!
IF I can find out what they DON’T KNOW
I can help them learn it
so they can always
GET   BETTER!
Just a head’s up….
most of my assessments came from my
WHAT IS BALANCED LITERACY?
Click HERE to check out this AMAZING Packet!