Formative Assessment: "refers to tools that identify misconceptions, struggles, and learning gaps along the way and assess how to close those gaps" (Yale). They are low-stakes assessments that generally do not contribute to the students' grades.
Summative Assessment: "evaluate student learning, knowledge, proficiency, or success at the conclusion of an instructional period, like a unit, course, or program. Summative assessments are almost always formally graded and often heavily weighted (though they do not need to be)" (Yale).
Google Form Exit Tickets - The teacher can create a Google Form for students to complete on their device at the end of a lesson. It is a very quick gauge of students understanding and allows them space to comment or ask questions. Students tend to prefer this method because they know I am the only one able to view their responses. Here is an example:
Example Google Form (The questions on this form can be used for any lesson. I typically like to add a few extra content-specific questions from the lesson as well).
Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - During or after a lesson, ask the class if they understand a concept. If they (think) they get it, thumbs up. If they are not sure, thumbs middle. If they don't get it, thumbs down. This a quick way to gauge if students are tracking the lesson and if you are teaching at an appropriate pace.
Frequent Questioning & Monitoring - Throughout the class period, I like to ask frequent comprehension questions as well as questions that cause students to make predictions. This can be a great indicator of students' understanding. It also allows me an opportunity to address misconceptions, reinforce their understanding, and start discussions that engage all students in the classroom. In addition, I move about the classroom to monitor students' progress on work and answer any questions that students may have.
Padlet or Flipgrid Response - Padlet and Flipgrid are both tech tools that you can use to quickly gather students' thoughts & responses before, during, or after a lesson.
Padlet is essentially an online post it wall. Students join your wall and can add a response to the teacher's questions/prompt. All responses are shown on the wall in real time. I like to have it projected on the board as students are responding. (Watch the Getting Started Padlet Video for additional help.
Flip (previously known as Flipgrid) is an online video response tool. The teacher adds a question or prompt and sets a time limit to videos. Then, students record themselves answering the prompt and it will post it to the teacher's topic. I like this tool because it allows students to verbally respond (which is a great accommodation to those who struggle with writing or are experiencing challenges such as dyslexia or dysgraphia).
Quickwrites - are short, timed writing exercises that allow students to demonstrate their understanding of a topic. Teachers can ask students to write in their journals for a set amount of time (e.g., five minutes) on a specific topic or prompt. Quickwrites can be used to assess student comprehension, writing skills, and critical thinking skills. They can also be used to help students start longer writing projects.
Quizzes/Tests - teacher-created sets of varied question types that cover the content learned from a previous unit. They measure students' mastery of course materials. I use quizzes/tests in my ELA classroom when measuring students' mastery of vocabulary, literary terms, various grammar skills, and key plot details from novels we have read.
Book Reports - a written composition that describes, summarizes, and evaluates a novel read in class. It allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the book and its deeper meanings.
Essays/Papers - focused pieces of writing that follow the style, structure, and requirements of a particular type of writing. In my Writer's Workshop class, my students write many different kinds of papers & essays including memoirs, short stories, informative/research essays, argumentative essays, etc.
Projects - creative demonstrations of knowledge graded on particular criteria. In my classroom, I have done a variety of writing-based projects including creating a newspaper, writing a radio play script & recording it, writing & illustrating a children's book, magazine pieces, etc.
Presentations - requires students to demonstrate their understanding of content by creating a visual to present their work and speaking to the class about their work, findings, ideas, etc. The options for presentations are endless - students can create slideshows, infographics, videos, TED Talks, digital one-pagers, interactive images, etc.
Helpful resources for presentations: Google Slides, Google Drawings, Canva, CapCut, Thinglink, Smore.
*It is important that all written compositions are graded on a clear rubric to remove any subjectivity from the teacher. Rubrics make grading more objective and allow the teacher an easy opportunity for providing constructive feedback.
References
Yale Poorvu Center For Teaching and Learning. (2021). Formative and Summative Assessments. Yale.edu; Yale University. https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/Formative-Summative-Assessments