Quick and Easy Assessment Strategies

02 August 2012
For every assignment I do with my students, we must have a list of success criteria.  These criteria must be co-created by the students and myself (I can "guide" them to include criteria I want in the assignment, but they must feel that they have ownership over the list).  Because they are so invested in setting up the criteria, they are more able to accurately assess their own and other's work before handing in for teacher assessment.

Two of the strategies I use most often in my classroom for self-assessment are "glow and grow" and "traffic light comprehension".  I've discussed both these strategies briefly in some of my other blog posts, but feel they are worth a second mention.  These strategies WORK because they are quick, visual, easy for the students to comprehend and remember, and work for ANY subject area.  I've created a little freebie for each of the assessment methods, and because google docs is changing to google drive (with a price), I've uploaded them to my TpT store.


  • Glow and Grow Strategy - For this strategy, students use a yellow and green highlighter to show areas on their work where they have glowed or need to grow.  I keep a bucket of yellow and green highlighters in my classroom for students to use (I actually had to use green crayons this year as we didn't have a large supply of green highlighters).  Once students have finished highlighting, I have them fill out a handout where they explain WHY they have chosen to mark certain areas as glow or grow.  I have included two handouts - one for self/teacher assessment, and one for self/peer assessment.  I have students complete this assessment strategy on their own or with a partner before they hand their work in to me.  I also allow them time to fix or improve the areas they have marked as "grow".






Click HERE or on the picture to the left to get your free copy of the "glow and grow" assessment strategy.








  • Traffic Light Comprehension Strategy - For this strategy, students put a green, yellow, or red dot in the corner of their work after they complete it - whether working individually, in pairs, or in small groups.  A green dot shows they felt they completed and understood the work without any problems, a yellow dot shows they felt they had a few problems or questions about the work, and a red dot shows the students felt they had a lot of difficulty completing or understanding the work.  This quick little strategy makes such a difference for me once the work is handed in.  I can quickly group the work to see what I need to look at first (red and yellow dots) and make plans to conference with students or give some extra small group instruction.  It's amazing how accurately the students assess themselves - and it's also fun to hear them discuss what they should give themselves when working in pairs or small groups.  ;)



Click HERE or on the picture to the left to download your freebie poster for Traffic Light Comprehension.








teachinginroom6.blogspot.com, education, upper grade, 5th grade, 4th grade

I'm linking up to Teaching in Room 6:  Advice for New Teachers.  New teachers, my advice to you is to not feel like you have to mark every single thing the students complete.  And have them help you with assessments by trying some of the strategies above.  By having students identify areas (and potentially fixing areas) of need in their work, hopefully you'll begin to see some of the same errors disappear.  And by having them more aware of their own understanding of the work, and giving a quick visual of this understanding, you'll be able to see at a glance what students you need to work a little more with - and you'll be able to do this in a timely manner ... before it's too late and you have moved on.

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30 comments

  1. Great self-assessment strategies! Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thank-you so much - I hope you can use some of these ideas in your classroom.

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  2. These are wonderful strategies to help get get students involved in the assessment process. I did a PD Tuesday on student involvement with assessment. I can't wait to share these with the other teachers in my building. Thanks for sharing.
    Barbara
    happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank-you, Barbara! I've used both of these strategies all year with my class - and the students really got into them.

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  3. As always, another great idea. Thank you for always sharing you ideas.

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    1. Thanks, Jen! You know it is my absolute pleasure!

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  4. WOW - these ideas are so easy to implement and give positive feedback to the students. Thanks for sharing and helping me become a better teacher!
    Peggy

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    1. Thanks, Peggy! They are easy to implement - and the students really enjoy using them. That's why they worked so well in my classroom.

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  5. I totally dig the Traffic light comprehension and Glow & Grow assessment ideas!! I LOVE giving students a chance to reflect on their own work... and thank you so much for the AWESOME posters! :) You rock!!


    :) Ashley
    The Real Teachr: Tips, Tricks, Freebies and Everyday Ideas for Real Teachers

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    1. Thank-you so much, Ashley! I hope you can use some of these strategies in your classroom.

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  6. I love these assessment stratgies! Thank you so much for sharing. It is so easy to fall into a rut when assessing. New ideas are much appreciated. :)

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    1. Thanks! I hope you can use some of these ideas in your classroom!

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  7. Great assessment strategies and advice!

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  8. Wonderful ideas. I love to read posts on student self assessment and reflection! Your students are so lucky to have you!

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  9. I love the assessment tools. Thank for for sharing more about these. I think these two tools would be wonderful to use in several subjects!

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  10. These are excellent, thank you so much for sharing AND for the freebies. I had no idea about Google Docs, that stinks :/

    Thank you again!!

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  11. Already printed and laminated ready to go and grow on the first day!
    Thanks for the tip.

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  12. Thank you for sharing! I love the traffic light comprehension strategy. So quick, easy, and beneficial!

    Kelly Teaching Fourth

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  13. You know I wish you lived closer as we would make a great team! I used your glow and grow strategy, it's was easy to use even for gr. 2 s. I will definitely try the traffic idea, Lovej it! Mary at apopovic@primus.ca

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  14. Thanks so much for posting these strategies- I'm super excited to use them next year!

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  15. WooHoo!!!!!! Love your stuff! Still patiently waiting for the Interactive Math Notebook! ;) Nancy P

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  16. Both of these assessment tools are fantastic! I've downloaded my free posters and pinned both so that I don't forget to use them. Simple and effective!

    Amanda
    The Teaching Thief

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  17. I love the "Glow and Grow" strategy! I'll definitely be using it in my classroom this year!

    As we gear up for the new school year-new ideas, things to add, things to change, etc. I encourage you to give JogNog Quick Quiz a try.

    My students use this site in my classroom. I was so impressed that I shared it through social media platforms. Now, I have the opportunity to work with them part-time after school in the area of social media promotions.

    JogNog Quick Quiz allows you to create an online quiz in literally 60 seconds or less. This video will show you how. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_60PKEZRsI

    Using JogNog's content of over 20,000 study questions, you are sure to build a quiz to meet your needs. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

    Cara
    Teaching...My Calling

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  18. I love those techniques. I'd love to try them in my room this year. I wonder if they would work in 7th grade???

    Worth a try!

    BTW: I'm your newest follower! Come check me out if you get a spare second!

    --Andi
    Mommy, Teacher, & So Much More

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  19. I love the traffic light idea. Thanks for sharing.

    Katrina
    Teacherofscholars.blogspot.com

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  20. GREAT traffic light idea! I've just downloaded the poster - thanks!

    Corrina
    Mrs. Allen’s 5th Grade Files

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  21. I love love love the new look!!! When did this happen?
    Beth
    Thinking of Teaching

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  22. I hope you're ready for your next job. As my mentor. :)

    You are soooo smart!! When I grow up I want to be just like you. :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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