How to Plan a Successful Lesson Series: Assessments Overview

Before I even begin this post.  I want to loudly declare that I AM NOT AN EXPERT!  I am writing about this topic because of what I have seen in the classrooms in the States as well as here in Costa Rica; not because I believe I have vast amounts of knowledge on this topic.  This post has come after hours of research, discussions with mentor teachers, and countless rewrites. 

What I have decided to do in this series is define assessment, list the various types of assessments with examples, and explain what all good assessments should include.  Then the following two parts of this series will talk about two specific examples of assessments and how both can be used in your lesson plan. 

The purpose of an assessment is to document students’ learning of the objective(s). 

The types and when to use them (as I have been taught and believe them to be):

• Pre-assessment: The assessment before a new unit is started to gain information about students’ prior knowledge and areas of weakness are
• Formative assessment: Assessment that happens during the teachings.  These are to gauge students learning, to know what needs to be emphasized more and what they have accomplished.   This is not necessarily for a grade, and it can be formal or informal.
• Post assessment: This assessment is done at the end of a unit and for a grade.  It evaluates the students understanding of all objectives taught over the course.
• Informal assessment: This type of assessment tends to be checklists, a portfolio, peer/self evaluations, presentations (with rubric), and participation.   These are great formative assessments to gauge students’ learning throughout the unit. 
• Formal assessment: This type of assessment tends to be a paper test, quiz, or written report (using a rubric).  These tend to be post assessments. 
• *Objective: Objective assessment of either a formative or post assessment is where there is only one correct answer as seen with multiple choice, true/false, and matching.
• *Subjective: Subjective assessment of either a formative or post assessment tends to be more open ended like short answer or essay questions.

*These two types of assessment *can* be seen on the same pre-, formative, and post assessments. 

All good assessment should start with the objectives.  Write down the objectives you will be assessing.  Then decide how and when you will measure them.  A great teacher continuously assesses their students’ learning whether formally or informally. 

The next two weeks of this series will be diving into formal and informal assessments more so CHECK back NEXT WEEK!