I’M ENGAGED

MSTA March 2012Lynn Hensley

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT“Formal and informal processes teachers

and students use to gather evidence for the purpose of improving learning.” Seven Strategies of Assessment for Learning, Jan Chappuis

Graded and non-gradedShort Opportunity to practiceProvides feedback for students & teacher

WHITEBOARDS4x8 sheets at Home Depot/Lowe’s – cut to

size for youI use 18” x 24” so groups of 3 can work at

their lab stationUse for warm ups, practice after teaching

a new math problem, or review…sometimes followed by a CPS quiz

Circulate to keep students on task and answer questions

HW CHECKStudents work at lab station to check HW

answersKey is at their station – they check while I

circulate to answer questionsAfter they might have 1 or 2 more practice

Q’s or a 5 question CPS quizMore dialogue between students and

more responsibility for their learning

CPSUse as a HW quiz grade since HW itself is

non-graded5 – 10 questions

Review for tests – day before test they take a 10 -20 question non-graded “quiz”

SELF GRADINGStudents use a marker or highlighter to

check their own workUse for on-line labs, tutorial worksheets,

and the occasional regular labGives them immediate feedback and

correct answersThey grade themselves pretty tough

RESULTS Gets students out of seats for part of classStudents are more engaged, ask more

questions, and seem to like it.Small increase in chapter test scores

Midterm grades: 2% higher average score10% increase in those achieving mastery

(75% or higher)

FEEDBACKMost students enjoy the small group work,

however…some get distracted and need reminders to stay on task

Some would prefer going over assignments as a whole class so they can hear everyone’s questions

Just about all like working with the whiteboards and having practice opportunities

All like the CPS test reviews

SUGGESTIONS Use colored paper so answer keys

and practice questions are easy to see on lab tables so they don’t disappear

Colored paper on the index cards makes the question stand out

Laminate index cards and some practice pages so they hold up and you only have to make them once

CUPCAKE PERIODIC TABLE!

THE ENDMy email: HENSLEYL@SLCS.USThanks to my Analytical Chem students

for their honesty on the survey

SB-CEU code…