Formative Assessments
1. Thumbs Up/Down
At the end of a lesson or task, a quick way to assess students' understanding is to use thumbs up, middle, or down. Ask students to put their thumbs up if they are understanding well and do not need more help. Thumbs in the middle if they are mostly understanding but might have a question or two. Thumbs down shows students need more help and are not understanding at all.
2. Exit Tickets
Before students leave class or before switching to a new subject, give students an exit ticket. This is a quick check with a few questions that cover what was taught in the lesson. This should be turned in right away. You should grade them before the next lesson. They are a great check for understanding and will tell you if you need to move on or review again.
3. Four Corners
This is a fun game for students! Come up with as many questions as you'd like. Each question should have four answers. You can write the answers on separate pieces of paper or just tell the students what each answer is. Ask the question and students move to the correct corner. You will see which students know the correct answers. If you don't have four corners, you can use four walls or landmarks in the classroom.
4. Think-Pair-Share
This is a quick assessment for the middle of a lesson. Ask a question, give students a short time to think of their answers. Pair them up with a partner or two. Then, they share their thinking with each other. Rotate the room during the sharing so you can hear what thoughts are being said. You can also call on a couple pairs to share their thinking with the class if you'd like.
5. Jigsaw
Jigsaws are a great way for everyone to be held accountable! Depending on the subject, you can adjust this formative to fit. Each student is given a chapter to read or a problem to solve or a task to do. They can all be done individually. Give everyone time to work. Students should take notes, show their work, however they show they have completed the task. Then, groups come together and share each part. All of the knowledge is put together to help everyone complete the entire jigsaw.
6. Asking Questions
Simply ask each student a question which shows deeper understanding. You can ask each student a question or make it random.
7. Conferences
This is a great check for each student indivually. Throughout the week, conference with the students. Writing time is a great time to conference. You get to talk to the student one-on-one and develop your relationship more.
8. Quizlet
This is an online resource. Students can type in words and definitions which go along with the specific unit/topic. They can show their learning by getting the correct definitions. There are also ways to quiz spelling and play games to enhance learning.
9. Dry Erase Boards
Students can keep mini boards in their desks. Have them take out their boards, ask questions, and see where they are in levels of understanding. Everyone can hold up their boards and show what they know.
10. Fingers up!
Fingers up is very similar to thumbs up/down. Ask students to hold up 1-5 fingers. 1 shows very little understanding and a great need for help. 5 shows deep understanding and no help needed at all.
Check out this presentation for even more ideas! 56 Examples of Formative Assessments
Summative Assessments
1. Book Reports
Students can show their understanding after reading a book through a book report. This can be in essay format or a poster display. It can vary depending on the type of book and current topics. If you are more focused on character development, students can focus on their characters. Maybe you just taught problem and solution and want the book reports to show students' understanding.
2. Living Wax Museum
Living Wax Museums are a great way to wrap up a unit on historical figures (or any other group of people). Students write up a report about their person. They get to dress up as their person and set up a display. Parents or other students walk around, come up to each person, and hear the report. This is a great display of learning and so much fun!
3. PowerPoint
For older students, they can create a PowerPoint. A great way to show understanding is to be able to teach someone else what you learned!
4. Create a Commercial
Commercials are a fun way to display facts and get everyone involved. You can set limits on how long the videos can be. This ensures only important information is delivered. Put students in a group, have them develop a script, let them use props, and record the video. Watch them in class for everyone to show off their hard work!
5. Write a Script
Choose a movie, tv show, commercial, or play. Students can develop characters, a setting, and problems/solutions. This is a great way to showcase many different ideas! The script can be as long or short as you choose. Maybe even give extra credit if they act it out afterwards!
6. End of Unit Assessment
This is your basic test. Multiple choice, true or false, fill in the blank, short answer, etc. are all available to use. You can create your own or find one that has been created. This is a basic evaluation of student knowledge.
7. Create a podcast
Some students love to talk. Have your students create a podcast to showcase their knowledge. This can be solo or in pairs or in groups. Set a time limit so students only discuss the important things. You can even have them simulate people asking questions and giving answers. Listen to them in class to show off everyone's creativity.
8. SRI
The SRI is a reading inventory test that gives students a lexile score. It can be given multiple times a year to assess growth in reading comprehension. Students start with topics they are interested in. The test generates questions based on interests, starting at a basic level. Each time, the tests starts from the previous level so the idea is the tests gets more complicated as students improve. SRI is a great place for reading data.
9. Diorama
Dioramas are great for science. Students build a mini model of an ecosystem or something similar. Give students a rubric with limitations to how many figures or pieces can be inside. This will eliminate the crowded feeling inside the diorama. Typically, dioramas fit inside show boxes so it is a small space. This project will take more than one day and will require supplies from home. For those less fortunate, have a stash of supplies they can use. These are great to display for everyone to see and learn from.
10. Essay/Writing Piece
For older students, an essay is a simple way to assess knowledge. Set a paragraph or page expectation. The topic is usually pretty narrow and if your students are able, require research to be done.