How to Use Formative Assessments While Teaching Reading
- nilsenlindsey
- May 15, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 30, 2024
Sometimes teaching reading, writing, and language standards can feel abstract. By abstract, I mean that there are so many concepts, spelling rules, grammar rules, comprehension strategies, and fluency goals that all build and rely on one another.
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One of my favorite ways to find some clarity about what my students actually know and what they still need to work on is formative assessments. So let's talk about how to use formative assessments while teaching reading shall we?
What are Formative Assessments?
To put it simply: formative assessments are quick and simple, not for a grade snapshots of what your students know in the moment. They are NOT big sit-down, fill-in-the-bubble, graded, and sent home tests. Formative assessments are for YOU as the teacher. They should be used to guide your teaching in the moment and in knowing what to teach next. They can be used before, during, and/or after teaching. In my humble opinion, they should be used daily!
What Do Formative Assessments Look Like?
A simple thumbs up/down
Holding up whiteboards
Formative Assessment Ideas for Teaching Reading
Whether or not it's written in the lesson plan formative assessment before, during, or after reading instruction is SO valuable! Here are a few of my go-to formative assessment ideas for any ELA lesson!
Comprehension:
After a read aloud have your students answer a comprehension question on a whiteboard and hold it up. Quickly scan for who is missing the mark and make a note! This can be done for challenging concepts like main idea, theme, character traits, and so on.
Language Standards:
Exit tickets are my FAVORITE way to assess the whole class. I find that language standards can sometimes be swept under the rug, but exit tickets provide you with a hard copy of who needs a refresher on what. You can find Exit Tickets for individual language standards or as a bundle over in my TPT store.
Click Here to Shop All Exit Tickets
Phonics:
Spell a word on the board incorrectly. Have students hold a thumbs up or down telling you if it's correct or not. Or...let's say you are working on the digraph SH, draw a picture of lets say a ship. Have students write the word SHIP. See who has it and who doesn't. See where I'm going here? The possibilities are easy and endless!
My FAVORITE Formative Assessment Tool:
We all know kids these days are obsessed with technology right? These blank technology slips are always a huge hit! Simply print and pass out. Have your students "text, email, or play" their answers and BAM you assessed and your students think you're the coolest teacher!
Happy Teaching!
Lindsey is a former elementary teacher with a passion for education. She loves supporting teachers and students with resources that make an impact on the lives of students!
P.S.
Next time you are working on lesson planning write in formative assessments but also don't be afraid to "teach on the fly" and formative assessments whenever it strikes you!
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