Topic: Assessment Checklist for Math Assessment Portfolios
Grade Level Category: K - 3
Strategies:
Checklist/Portfolio Assessment
Objectives Being Assessed and/or Purposes for the Assessment:- To compile a list that will bring together all of the various assessment strategies placed in the portfolio for a given math concept.
- To determine a grade for a specific math concept by combining various assessment strategies.
Materials Required:
Math Assessment Portfolio which includes your choice of strategies (interviews, observations, journal entries, self assessments, etc.) as well as any other information you would like to include.
Description of the Activity:
Make a checklist or use a ready made blank checklist form. Place the student's name and the school year at the top. List the different Math Concepts along the left side of the checklist and list the different strategies across the top of the list. As different items are placed in the Math Assessment Portfolio, date them and check off the grade under the given strategy. Maybe you would like to use grades such as the following: ++ Shows in depth and understanding of the concept; + Shows understanding of the concept; - Has difficulty with the concept, is confused; -- Shows no understanding of the concept or made no attempt at an answer. When the math concept is completed, you have a very good idea of the child's ability for the given concept and you know immediately whether or not remediation will be needed. (In fact that information will be known to you as you complete the checklist.) This list should be kept in the child's Math Assessment Portfolio. When grading time comes along, most of the work will already be done for you. As the year progresses, you will have, at a glance, the strengths and weaknesses of each student.
Management Tips:
Converting the grade to an A, B, C, grade will be a little more difficult. To help that situation you may want to give a number grade for each item placed in the portfolio such as the following: 4=A, 3=B, 2=C, 1=D, 0=F. You will then be able to average the grades to arrive at a final grade. Don't overwhelm yourself and try to do too much or change everything overnight. Start small and build gradually. Find what works best for your grading system and you. A book which might help you to understand portfolios and the strategies better is the following: Alternative Assessment Evaluating Student Performance in Elementary Mathematics by Ann Arbor Public Schools, Dale Seymour Publications, Copyright 1993.
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