Quick Formative Assessment: Hand Gestures and More

Why Use Quick Formative Assessments?

So often, when we teach new concepts, we assume the students get. And we are usually right to assume so, because what inevitably happens is we get to the end and ask, "Are there any questions?" and no one asks a clarifying question, so we move on. I find that inviting students to give me a "temperature" check on a concept will usually give me a pretty good idea if we can move on, or I need to re-teach. This isn't fool-proof, but it's better than "Any questions? no?... good... next..."

With quick formative assessments, I can get a quick check from the whole class at once. The written examples may be better for more in-depth things such as reviews/summaries/exit tickets. Sometimes we just need to go back and re-teach! And it's best if we know that sooner than later.

I really like this short blog post about Formative Assessment and how it supports students and teachers. It's worth the read.

My Favorite Temperature Checks:

Quick in-the-moment feedback:

• • Students can quickly use their hands:

    • • Numbers 1-5. Ask students frequently "give me a 1-5, how much do you get this?"

        • • Or - multiple choice: 1 finger up = A, 2 fingers up = B, 3 = C, 4 = D, all 5 fingers = E

      • "Show me thumbs" Thumbs up = I'm Good, let's go, Thumbs down = I need to go back, Thumb to the side = I kind of got it

  • Use the physical space in the room (like four corners): "Stand where you think the right answer is, this corner is ___, this corner is ___, this corner is ___, and this corner is ___. Go"

    • • • Or Pick a Side: "Agree or Disagree - stand on this side of the room if you think ___ , or that side of the room if you think ___." (There is no middle)

Things to examine after class:

• • Try the "Ask a Question" function in Google Classroom as an exit ticket to summarize the concept learned. If you want to go deeper, there is a comment function where peers can offer revision/ideas.

  • One Minute Paper - This is great for the end of class as an exit ticket. This is pretty simple, set a timer for 1 minute (or- make it 2:00 or 3:00) and ask students to summarize what they learned 2-4 sentences. Responses to Essential Questions in your content standards make great One-Minute Paper topics!

  • Exit Tickets - These can be a great opportunity for your introverts to get their thoughts together in writing. I might use prompts in a google form such as:

    • • Summarize ____ in 1-2 sentences (open response, like the One Minute Paper, above)

      • How well did you understand today's topic (scale of 1-5)

      • What was confusing for you today? (open response)

      • Is there anything you want Mr. Fleischmann to know?

      • "Three Stars and a Wish" (Stars = positive takeaways, Wish = something I want the teacher to consider)

      • Maintain a KWL as an exit ticket: What I Know, What I Want to Know, What I Learned