Essay on Use of a Portfolio to Assess Students in Math...

Use of a Portfolio to Assess Students in Math and Science For a young child, going off to school can be an intimidating experience. Thoughts of whether the other children will like them, if they will have enough money to buy an ice cream at lunch, or if they will have homework that night overwhelms their minds. However, a major part of schooling is testing, and many children freeze when they hear that word. Think about yourself in a testing situation then imagine what it is like for a young child to feel this defeating anxiety. That is why I am informing you, as fellow committee members, teachers, and learners alike, of these ideas for assessing children in math and science. I hope you will all take the time to think about†¦show more content†¦Solving a non routine math problem, tends to be complex, often yields multiple solutions, involves naunced judgment and interpretation, involves application of multiple criteria, often involves uncertainty, involves self-regulation of the thinking process, involves imposing meaning, and i s effortful (Bright Joyner, 1998, p. 7). The question that remains is how do we assess our children so they get the most out of their math and science lessons? When you hear the word test, or assessment, what do you often think of? I know I think of a 50 question multiple-choice test with a certain amount of time to finish it. Does that sound familiar? Unfortunately, I am afraid that is what most people envision when they hear the word test, even children. One way to assess our children in math and science is to keep testing the same way teachers have been for years. We, as teachers, can pass around a multiple choice test, give the children forty five minutes to complete the test, they can turn it into us, we will grade it, give it back, and the grade they get on their test is how we know what they know and what they dont. Fair? Well, if all you want to see is the students capability of giving the right answer then yes, this is a good way to test. It shows students know how to memorize the facts they have been taught and apply them when asked by the teacher (Romberg, 1992). IsntShow MoreRelatedStandardized Testing For Students Knowledge Of Materials And General Intelligence1598 Words   |  7 Pagesideas about how to formally assess student achievement. By the early 1900’s, statewide testing programs were becoming very common. Since then, the U.S. has been using standardized testing to assess students’ knowledge of materials and general intelligence (Alcocer). Standardized tests do not accurately assess students’ knowledge or academic potential. Many educational professionals feel that without standardized testing there would be no consistency in measuring student achievement and assessing theRead MorePlanning And Implementation Of A School Wide Portfolio System834 Words   |  4 Pagesrecent initiative that I undertook that was intended to improve student achievement was the creation and implementation of a school wide portfolio system. Our school has struggled for many years to help students assess their academic and social/emotional growth in an authentic, meaningful, and tangible form. With my prior experience in planning and program implementation, I solicited the approval of our Principal to construct a portfolio committee. Upon receiving her approval the following personnelRead MoreEssay about Integrating Science and Math Into The Classroom 1383 Words   |  6 Pagesintegrates science and mathematics in the classroom. We will also address how the 12 science processes can be use in the lesson. In addition, we will examine how the use of differentiation can be use in this unit to address the needs of all the students. This paper will also address how assessments promote student learning. Finally this paper will show how the use of reflection thinking, manipulative and materials helps students develop a sense of science and fractions. The 12 Science Processes Read MoreTeaching Curriculum Based Measurement ( Cbm )900 Words   |  4 PagesAs an educator it is very important that a teacher uses different methods to teach the variety of different learning styles, and it is also important that the teacher uses a variety of assessment procedures. People don’t learn the same, and people don’t test the same either. I personally, am horrible when it comes to taking multiple choice and problem solving type assessments. I do better with essay and writing assessments, presentations, and teaching back what I have learned. With the understandingRead MoreQuestions On The Group Process Tools1380 Words   |  6 PagesAfter looking at the Group Process Tools, decide which 3 you will use in your meeting to determine your school baseline. Tell me the name of the tools and describe how you will use them. The following three Group Process Tools will be used to determine the school baseline: T-Chart Activity: Described as a tool used to help individuals see the opposite dimension of an issue, the T-Chart Activity would be a great tool to use in the school meeting. During the meeting this activity will be used as aRead MoreThe Effects Of Using Student Self Assessment And Progress Monitoring Strategies On Student Achievement Essay1714 Words   |  7 PagesAt RA Jones Middle School, math and reading achievement is low. According to the 2014-2015 School Report Card from the Kentucky Department of Education, 42.2% of Rector A. Jones Middle School students are proficient/distinguished in reading and 26.3% are proficient/distinguished in math. As a middle school math and science teacher, I want to give my students tools that they can use to help them be successful in any subject area, in their current lives and in their futures. It is important thatRead MoreAlternative Assessment Methods1039 Words   |  4 Pagescreative writing projects, art projects, portfolios, and gro up projects are often thought to be more valid tools when grading nontraditional students (such as older students and ESL students). In some cases, they can be helpful. For example, a visually-oriented learner might get more excited making a poster promoting proper use of the oceans resources rather than writing a paper or taking a test. However, teachers must be careful to ensure that the material the student is required to learn is genuinelyRead MoreGraduation Speech : The Elementary Level Essay1653 Words   |  7 Pagesaffecting the desired student outcome. Such goals are derived by using a variety of methods to teach, and are reinforced via a variety of assessment tools that ascertain authentic student mastery of content. Thus, a cookie cutter approach to the education of our students is not an effective practice, as every student learns differently. However, within our current educational model, most teachers do not have the time, or resources to foster, and manage a truly individualized student learning programRead MoreThe Efficiency Of Standardized Testing1544 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual students or groups of students. Standardized testing is a trend that has grown significantly over the last decade. These tests were intended to assessing children’s knowledge on grade level material in comparison to other children across the United States; instead, they are adding pressure to elementary aged school children, causing stress and anxiety. Are these tests serving their purpose in evaluating children’s intelligence? Are they worth the toll they are placing on young students? WhileRead MoreClassification : Learning Disability / Adhd Primary Language1288 Words   |  6 PagesINDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) Student s Name: Doe, John ID Number: 123456789 School District: Bishop Garrigan High School Grade: 9 Classification: Learning Disability/ ADHD Primary Language: English Age: 15 Date of Birth: 1/02/20000 I. Signature of Participants in Attendance at IEP Meeting Parent _____________________ Special Ed. Teacher _________________________ Parent _____________________ Regular Ed. Teacher _________________________ Student _____________________ District