I am trying to finish up my report cards this weekend and I thought you might like seeing the assessment packet I created to come up with grades on a section of ELA.This seems fairly painless. As I called kids over to retell the story of the 3 little pigs, the other children worked on these pages and enjoyed doing it because it was well within their skill range. No, we did not have to bubble in answers on a standardized test and I still have not been hit with timing children when decoding. Seriously? Have these test designers met a five year old, ever? I hope with CCSS we gain some common sense about young children and do more valid assessment work. The kids loved doing this because they could draw their thinking first. I like to put the rubric right on the page for the kids to see as I check it off. This gives me an opportunity to remind them of what they need to work on. No fuss...
I don't know about you but I hate the piles of assessment that never tell me anything I don't already know!
Collaborative Drawing Is Fun to Do
I had my students pair up and create the characters and the various settings for The 3 Pigs. It was so interesting to walk around and listen to the various conversations going on. They loved doing this and I loved the collaborative format. Compromises had to be made and I watched children take leadership roles for the first time. Students had to both sign their names and present these to the class together.
I used this story as a part of my assessment package this trimester. Here they had to draw all the characters in the story and come over to me and talk about them. I love their pictures.
Where did the story take place? Draw the settings with enough details to show me how they are different. Here are some examples of what I got.
And here is the comprehension piece that is the funniest to read but gives you a window into their understandings. "If the story didn't end with the wolf burning his tail what do you think might have happened next?"
These are adorable and I love five year old writing. Remember that my kids were very young this year and many had very limited language. This assessment pack was a huge hit and painless to do.
I think every kindergarten teacher should do at least 3 fairy tales during the year with their students. Why? First, the kids absolutely adore hearing the various versions and you can easily compare and contrast them in terms that a five year old can easily understand. If you have never done the 3 Little Pigs you will be shocked at how many versions exist. It is a story children love to retell and act out and changing your voice to become the wolf makes them laugh hysterically. They never get tired of screaming, "Then I'll huff and I'll puff..." The year is coming to a close and I am using this as part of my assessment for retelling, prediction, and story elements. Consider this for next year if you are already packing. I hope your summer is relaxing and filled with family fun. If you have a extra few days come and see me at the I Teach K conference in Vegas. I am presenting on blogging! At least stop in and give me a hug. Right?
