When I taught pre-k and kindergarten, I found that I struggled with getting assessments done in an efficient and timely manner. I really wanted a way that I could do a quick whole-class assessment of basic skills (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, shapes, colors, etc.) instead of having to sit down with each student and say...
"Can you write a big A?"
"Now can you write a big B?"
"Big C?"
"How about a big D?"
and on... and on... and on. F-o-r-e-v-e-r and ever and ever. (Literally 3 days out of each quarter)
... I wanted a way to do it quick. A way to assess them and be able to use it immediately, send home, or bring out at conference time.
I came up with these 'assessment grids' a few years ago and love, love, love them. I remember seeing something like this in college, but not sure where. Also, I don't remember coming across any with symbols (could be out there, but I have no idea). They are perfect for the younger kiddos and for giving whole-class assessments.
They are grids with symbols instead of numbers and letters... because sometimes those itty-bitties don't know their numbers and letters yet. Also, sometimes you have kids who write/draw in 8 inch font. The boxes keep them from getting too crazy.... those darn 'helicopter arm' kids.
"Can you write a big A?"
"Now can you write a big B?"
"Big C?"
"How about a big D?"
and on... and on... and on. F-o-r-e-v-e-r and ever and ever. (Literally 3 days out of each quarter)
... I wanted a way to do it quick. A way to assess them and be able to use it immediately, send home, or bring out at conference time.
I came up with these 'assessment grids' a few years ago and love, love, love them. I remember seeing something like this in college, but not sure where. Also, I don't remember coming across any with symbols (could be out there, but I have no idea). They are perfect for the younger kiddos and for giving whole-class assessments.
They are grids with symbols instead of numbers and letters... because sometimes those itty-bitties don't know their numbers and letters yet. Also, sometimes you have kids who write/draw in 8 inch font. The boxes keep them from getting too crazy.... those darn 'helicopter arm' kids.
Using this one above I knew which uppercase letters 'Student A' needed more work on. I could also let her parents know easily. :) Easy peezy lemon squeezy.
Click the Pictures Below to Download a Few Samples
Grid with 12 Blocks | Grid with 30 Blocks | Small & Large Symbols |
Need more? Or maybe some with numbers?
 If you like the three downloads above, consider downloading my whole pack. It contains: 4 different grids with symbols 4 different grids with numbers 1 set of large symbols 1 set of small symbols Guess what? It's FREE! See on TPT |
You can use them for lots of things! Here's how I used them.
Step 1: Print a copy (I kept a lot in a folder). Put the type/name of assessment at the bottom right corner (and date if you want). Make copies for kids.
Step 2: Show them the symbols and make sure they know what each one is. (I used large copies of the symbols during the assessment, so there was no confusion.) Hold the symbol up during testing so they know what box to write in.
Step 3: Pass the assessment grids out and ensure they can't see each other's papers
Step 4: Give the assessment. (list below are ways I've used these) "In the box with the scissors, write a lowercase m.", "In the box with the envelope, write the number 3.", etc.
Step 5: Check it. I used a highlighter to highlight boxes that 'needed work' (wrong). I could have them fix the ones they missed, keep them for conferences (handwriting progress), or use them to make notes in my gradebook.
Ways you can assess using these grids:
Hope you find this helpful and easy. :)
Ashley
Step 1: Print a copy (I kept a lot in a folder). Put the type/name of assessment at the bottom right corner (and date if you want). Make copies for kids.
Step 2: Show them the symbols and make sure they know what each one is. (I used large copies of the symbols during the assessment, so there was no confusion.) Hold the symbol up during testing so they know what box to write in.
Step 3: Pass the assessment grids out and ensure they can't see each other's papers
Step 4: Give the assessment. (list below are ways I've used these) "In the box with the scissors, write a lowercase m.", "In the box with the envelope, write the number 3.", etc.
Step 5: Check it. I used a highlighter to highlight boxes that 'needed work' (wrong). I could have them fix the ones they missed, keep them for conferences (handwriting progress), or use them to make notes in my gradebook.
Ways you can assess using these grids:
- Whole-class, small group, or individual
- Writing upper or lowercase letters
- Writing numbers
- Drawing shapes
- Colors ("Color the scissor box yellow.')
- Sight words (although they're probably advanced enough to "number their papers" by this point)
- Writing sentences (12 block)
- Counting ("In the box with the flower, put 13 dots.")
- Greater than/less than/equal to (show problem on the board, they draw the symbol)
- Beginning/Ending sounds ("In the scissor box, what sound does 'cat' begin with?")
- Addition/Subtraction
- Measurement (they each had a ruler and went around to different stations, labeled with the symbol, and measured an object)
- Science vocabulary (again, with the symbol stations, they'd look at a picture and write down the vocabulary word shown)
- TONS OF STUFF! Seriously, you can adapt it to anything.
Hope you find this helpful and easy. :)
Ashley
