Humanities Assessment Strategies

Humanities Assessment Strategies
Content area

English language arts

State standard

 Reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language (Schutz, 2011).

Pre-Assessment

Definition and purpose of pre-assessments in instructional planning

Pre-assessment is a test taken by students before a new unit is taught to help the teacher identify the areas to teach (Tomlinson & Moon, 2013). Pre-assessment is important because it saves time for the teacher and the students. Also, it helps the teacher to identify the students who need advanced learning activities and those who need more attention.

Examples of pre-assessments (not paper-based)

An example of non-paper-based pre-assessment is oral presentations. For instance, the teacher can ask the students to describe their favorite part in a certain book. Non-verbal assessments are also great for pre-assessment. For instance, a teacher can give students a list of vocabulary and ask them to act them out to test their understanding of the words.
 

Differentiation techniques and accommodations

One of the differentiation techniques to be used during pre-assessment is prior knowledge. This technique involves testing core concepts through the linkage of previously learned knowledge with new knowledge (Tomlinson & Moon, 2013). Another technique involves the use of visual components. Special needs students often have difficulty reading. However, through the use of visual aids, these students can show whether they understand certain concepts.
 

Plan for student feedback

 
The students will receive feedback from the teacher individually during the pre-assessment. The non-paper-based assessment techniques in this stage allow the teacher to focus on each student.
 

Formative Assessment

Definition and purpose of formative assessments in instructional planning

Formative assessment includes methods used by teachers to establish students’ understanding of various concepts in the course of learning (Brookhart & Brookhart, 2010). Formative assessment is useful because it enables teachers to identify slow learners. Formative assessment is also essential because it prevents teachers from proceeding to new concepts if some students have not yet understood current concepts (Brookhart & Brookhart, 2010). 

Examples of formative assessments (not paper-based)

An example of formative assessment is the entry and exit slips. Using this method, the teacher asks the students to recall and state what they learned in their previous class before starting every class. At the end of class, the teacher also asks the students to restate what they have learned on that day.
 

Differentiation techniques and accommodations
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