Agenda Identify and define the key elements of formative assessment. Determine the relationship between the key elements of formative assessment and student growth. 2

Ground Rules If something seems unclear, ask questions! Be mindful of others’ opinions and perspectives. Stay on task and honor time limits. Participate actively. Minimize distractions. Take risks. 3

Learning Outcomes Participants will: Become familiar with the benefits of using formative assessment. Build familiarity with the key elements of formative assessment and how they support student growth. 4

Carousel Brainstorm 1. Think about your personal instructional practices (or those of your staff). 2. Write a brief response to each of the six elements listed on your Reflective Learning Log. 3. Share your thoughts in small groups. 4. Record individual ideas on the chart paper by adding a new idea or building on an existing idea. 5. Rotate to the next strategy, continuing until you’ve completed all six. 5

What Is Formative Assessment? Offers a flexible, comprehensive model for evaluating student skills and learning capabilities Facilitates ongoing evaluation of students’ achievement of learning goals 6

Benefits of Formative Assessment Increases student motivation and engagement Gives teachers needed information to make timely adjustments to instruction Allows students to focus their attention most productively Helps students use feedback to move closer to their learning goals Tracks individual students’ progress towards meeting learning goals Clarifies learning goals for both teachers and students 7

Learning Partners Identify a learning partner for each of the six key elements. Record that person’s name in the indicated column of your Note-Taking Guide. 8

Creating a Culture Key Element 1: Establishing a classroom culture that encourages interaction and the use of assessment tools. Share your answer with your learning partner. What types of assessment tools do you use in your classroom or school? 9

Setting and Tracking Learning Goals Key Element 2: Establishing learning goals and tracking individual students’ progress toward those goals. Share your answer with your learning partner. What strategy do you want to try to help establish learning goals and track individual students’ progress toward those goals? 10

Using Varied Instruction Key Element 3: Using varied instructional methods to meet diverse student needs. Share your answer with your learning partner. What do you think are the most important points in this segment? 11

Using Varied Modes of Assessment Key Element 4: Using varied approaches to assess student understanding. Share your answers with your learning partner. What is the benefit of using varied approaches to assess student understanding? What types of informal assessments do you use to assess students’ understanding of learning goals? 12

Adapting Instruction Key Element 5: Giving feedback on student performance and adapting instruction to meet identified needs. Share your answer with your learning partner. How do you currently give students timely feedback in your classroom? 13

Actively Involving Students Key Element 6: Actively involving students in the learning process. Share your answer with your learning partner. What suggestions can you give your learning partner to plan for active student involvement in the learning process? 14

Debrief Please respond to at least one of the following questions on the cards provided. What questions do you still have about today’s learning? In what way(s) can the key elements of formative assessment benefit students, teachers, and schools? What aspect of today’s learning resonates with you? Why? 15

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