Assessment of Math, Science, and Social Studies Skills
A variety of tools and processes can be used to assess children's math, science, and social studies skills. The process focuses on children's strengths and allows for differences in children's styles. Children's work is documented through:
- collections of writing and drawings
- photographs
- videotapes
- observational notes
- HyperStudio stacks
- results from assessment instruments
Portfolios
Children can be involved in the process of selecting pieces of their own work to collect in a portfolio throughout the year. A binder could be set up for each child and made easily accessible so that the child can put artwork, writing or computer printouts in the portfolio whenever they want. Pictures of children's block constructions, outdoor explorations, and visits with community people can be added to the binders so that samples of work from math, science and social studies are included.
Sample portfolio items may include:
- Pictures of children engaged in an activity
- Pictures of children's products, such as products made with manipulatives
- Drawings
- Writings about investigations
- Dictated reports of investigations, experiences, plans
- Graphs of recorded data
- Samples of children's solutions to problems
- Videotape segments
HyperStudio Stacks as Documentation
Individual stacks of children's work over time can be made in HyperStudio and shared with families. Children's reflections on a field trip or other class events can be recorded and placed in the stack. Digital pictures or scanned photographs can be added to document children's work. The stack can become a personal portfolio for the child.
Anecdotal Notes and Videotape
Observations of individual children's behaviors and of group interactions in the classroom as a whole can be kept as anecdotal records. An AlphaSmart or laptop computer are options as tools for recording observations. Short notes in a PDA device, such as a Palm Pilot, may also be suitable for recording data quickly. The notes can later be downloaded onto the computer and printed.
Videotaping of children's activities periodically ensures that teachers and families have permanent documentation of children's progress over time. Most schools have access to a video camera which the teacher can borrow for special events as well as for everyday activities. Videotape segments can be edited into a summary version and shown during a family open house at the end of the year.
Assessment Instruments
ECCSPLORe-IT uses two instruments to assess children's development in math, science, and social studies skills. One instrument provides data directly related to achievement of concepts, while the other assesses children's interactions at the computer. Both are given at the beginning and end of the school year. Results are shared with the family and other team members.
Developmental Evaluation - instrument developed by ECCSPLORe-IT which evaluates children's skills and concepts in math, science, and social studies.
Universal Behavior Interaction Tool (BIT). Instrument developed by Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood to assess children's behaviors at the computer.
Summary
Children's progress in math, science, and social studies skills can be observed and recorded in a variety of ways. Technology makes it possible to record both the process and the products. Portfolios of children's work can be kept in paper, videotape, and CD-ROM format, for the child and family to review over time.
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