Assessment for Reading Instruction: Solving Problems in the Teaching of Literacy (#1)
““This is why it is always important to assess children and not merely assume that they conform to stereotypical patterns. Some useful ways of gathering information about your students include the following:
- Conducting focused classroom observations.
- Tracking entries in students’ reading journals.
- Administering open-ended questionnaires.
- Administering internet inventories.
- Administering attitude surveys.
These activities complement each other nicely. The information offered by each is unique and contributes to a complete picture of the child as a developing reading””
How coincidental coming upon this chapter was for me. I was just discussing with a colleague assessing the affective factors of our learners. Those qualitative pieces of a human being are indeed unique, as everyone is different in their own ways.
This year I have begun taking observational notes of each of my classes, in part to make sure I am connecting with each of my learners. This has also helped with planning lessons and activities for my diverse learners. I am extremely excited to incorporate my writer’s notebooks (reader response) to continue to get to know my learners. I have gotten to know them through their Essential Questions, as well as beginning the year with giving different types of surveys and inventories. It has been eye-opening for me, and has given me new perspectives of my learners.
This last week, I exercised my studies in differentiation and the power of choice. I allowed my learners to choose their final project for a story we read, to showcase their understandings. The kids have pleasantly surprised me! I am overwhelmed with how proud I am of them, and even more surprised at the new things I learned about them. Some of them I had no idea loved to draw/paint. Some are builders and showed some amazing work. I am overjoyed by these new affective findings! This will help me as I continue to create their units.
McKenna, M.C., & Stahl, K.A. (2015). Assessment for reading instruction: Solving problems in the teaching of literacy. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.