colleen_journal1

Assessment Journal # 1 __ Type of Assessment: Running Record __ A type of assessment that I not only observed but participated in was giving running records to students. We observed students as they read aloud and we made notes to assess their reading fluency. We were able to calculate the percentage of words the students read correctly and analyze and errors. We were also able to measure their comprehension. First, we looked at their reading level according to the notes left by their previous teacher. (There is a particular kit the school uses for running records with books based on levels A-Z.) We chose a book for a student to read. In one case we chose “Vanessa’s Butterfly” for a student because he was said to be on an independent reading level N. We placed the book in front of him and read him the title and an introduction. We had worksheet made out for us and we were able to make marks on the words he mispronounced, skipped, repeated, or said correctly. After he finished reading, we recorded how long it took him to read and figured out his reading rate or words per minutes. We also gave him a fluency score based on a fluency score key, as well as an accuracy rate by counting his errors and using a key. We then asked him questions (from the worksheet) about the story. We scored him based on key understandings within the text, beyond the text, and about the text. From all of this we were able to see if his reading level was on target or if he needed to be at an independent reading level that was higher or lower. I believe that running records are very effective tools. I think teachers should conduct running records at the beginning, during, and end of the school year. Doing so in the beginning of the school year allows teachers to know what the reading ability of their students is so they can structure their lessons and way of teaching around their abilities. I also think it is useful to use throughout to make sure they are progressing and if they aren’t progressing it is a signal for you as a teacher to try and figure out how you can help them become better readers. Finally, I think it is also a good tool to use at the end of the school year as a final evaluation of their reading abilities so you can measure their progress and their teacher next year knows where to begin his or her instruction. <<Colleen's Journals