To find a balance between assessing and teaching is tricky – but making assessment a regular part of how you teach – is key. Here are my tips on how we can make that happen.
Keep track of the letters kindergartners can write correctly with this simple system. Here’s how I tracked my kindergarten students and helped them print 100% of their letters correctly… without wanting to pull my hair out. A while back I shared how I teach handwriting in kindergarten. My approach is simple and breaks handwriting down…
Make reading in small groups easier with a reading strategy checklist. Here is a free checklist I’ve made for guided reading groups to communicate what I’m seeing with kindergarten parents. When reading with small groups, documenting what strategies students try is a great way to both informally assess and help guide your own planning. We teachers have…
There is extreme value in teaching kindergarten students what you expect them to learn. Teaching expectations for procedures and behavior is a given since our students are so new… but I think sometimes we forget that they need goals for academics too. Say what? {You’re kidding right} Setting up expectations and goals look totally different…
Assessment in kindergarten is now a regular part of life. Finding ways to fit it in, can be tricky. Finding time to communicate results can prove difficult too. I regularly am taking notes and commenting to myself using my binders to keep my guided lessons on track, but this is much more personal and directly affects the direction of my…
Assessment in kindergarten is now a regular part of life. Finding ways to fit it in, can be tricky. Finding time to communicate results can prove difficult too. Here’s how I share that information in a parent-friendly format so that parents are up to date, can assist in helping their child and better understand what…
Kindergarten Common Core Assessments can be made more simple for the teacher and administrator. Tracking data and showing evidence of growth is something we are all being asked to do and tying it into what we assess for report cards using Common Core standards only makes sense! If you’re using the Common Core standards and…
How can a kindergarten teacher find the time to assess? {Really! How is it possible when most of our testing is done one-on-one?} Can I tell you that I don’t have the answer for everyone. What I can share are the solutions that work for me. Each of our classrooms runs differently and we are…
Starting this quarter I want to reward my kinders with knowing they are increasing their skills by giving them a repetitive activity that’ll show growth. Dare I say, they will be getting a “timed test?” Most of my kinders will love the challenge and I’ve worked at putting it together so that it is meaningful…
Kindergarten common core standards are the curriculum and map by which many kindergarten teachers are teaching their classes. I’ve teamed up with 2 other teachers in my district to create an assessment for every single common core standard and sub-standard. We’ve made it teacher friendly, kindergartner friendly and above all comprehensive. Here’s how the Kindergarten…