I effectively utilize both formative and summative assessments to guide and adjust my instruction. Through the use of observation, I am able to quickly identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust my teaching strategies as needed. Summative assessments help me to evaluate student learning at the end of a lesson and provide valuable feedback for future instruction. By combining these assessment strategies, I can ensure that I am meeting students' individual learning needs and promoting ongoing growth throughout my time as a student teacher. The photo to the left displays examples of both formative and summative assessments used in an ELA lesson I taught. After reading a short passage three times, students answered nine comprehension questions to demonstrate their understanding. These assessments allowed me to gauge student comprehension in real time and adjust my instruction as needed to support learning in future lessons.
The photo to the left shows the introduction to a lesson I taught during my second student teaching placement. Prior to teaching a lesson, I find it helpful to review the script and make notes to guide my instruction. As I reviewed this particular lesson, I noticed that there was a substantial amount of time dedicated to whole-group instruction. To maintain student engagement and prevent boredom, I always strive to keep students actively involved throughout the lesson. In the photo, you can see that I made a note to incorporate more partner work to break up the instructional time. Additionally, we had the opportunity to end the lesson with a fun and interactive game called 'Word Relay,' which further encouraged student participation. Integrating partner work, games, and other interactive activities into lessons fosters rich, collaborative learning experiences that keep students engaged and motivated.