Assessment

Description of Artifact: This is a Student Assessment Project that I completed for my Elementary English Language Arts course.  I gathered background information about student's experiences with reading and writing.  Then, I administered a spelling inventory and analyzed the results of that inventory.  The spelling inventory that I administered was the Words Their Way Elementary Spelling Inventory.  Through my analysis of the results of this inventory, I identified strengths and areas for improvement.  Then, I set research-based goals for the student to reach in order to grow in the areas for improvement that I identified.  I also analyzed a writing sample and selected research-based classroom activities that would help improve writing skills.

Connection to the Standard: This artifact connects to Standard 7 Performance Indicator 7J) "uses assessment results to determine student performance levels, identify learning targets, select appropriate research-based instructional strategies, and implement instruction to enhance learning outcomes."  I utilized spelling and writing assessments to determine a student's performance levels, identify strengths and areas for improvement, set research-based goals, and select research-based activities to implement in the classroom.

What I Learned from this Artifact: I learned how to conduct and analyze a spelling inventory, as well as analyze a student writing sample.  Additionally, I learned how to set goals and select activities for improvement based upon the results.

Description of Artifact: This is a rubric that I wrote for a guided practice activity that was part of the lesson on how energy moves through an ecosystem during my novice teaching experience.  

Connection to Standard: This artifact connects to Standard 7 Knowledge Indicator 7B) "understands that assessment is a means of evaluating how students learn and what they know and are able to do in order to meet the Illinois Learning Standards."  When deciding on a formative assessment and writing the rubric, I thought about how the students learned best.  I knew that all of the students benefited from collaborating with peers, and the ELLs especially needed to either collaborate or receive additional individual support from the teacher.  I also knew that it was important to clearly outline and explain the criteria for an assignment to students in order for them to understand what is expected of them in terms of demonstrating their knowledge.  

What I Learned from this Artifact: I learned how to design an assessment based on how students with various learning needs are best able to express their knowledge.