olson_assessment_journal_4


 * Assessment Journal #4**


 * Context/Structure:** This assessment was simply a meaningful discussion on a story the class had read. The teacher lead the discussion while students sit at their seats. Students answer questions, give meaningful comments and reflect upon what they read.


 * Implementation/Results:** The classroom teacher lead a discussion about the story, "Grandfather's Journey" This teacher has mentioned to me that there's not always time for full blown paper and pencil, written assessments. She uses classroom discussions as a way to see if students understood the story or topic they've been studying. During this discussion, the teacher poses questions about the story to see if the students fully understood it. She also asks them to make personal connections to the story. Many students are eager to chime in with experiences that relate to the story. Results of this discussion were that students took an active role in the discussion to make it effective. This discussion was meaningful because students spoke up often and had very interesting comments about the story and real life experiences that went along with it.


 * Reflection:** I feel this assessment was effective because it gave her results without having to formally "test" or "quiz" students on the material. This is important because she mentioned that you realistically just don't have enough time in the day to formally assess everything. She told me that she gains enough information and insight into if students are understanding material by classroom discussions. It's obvious to see which students understood the story and which didn't, after taking into account the quiet students in the class. Overall, I feel that assessing through discussion is a good tool to use because it gets students involved and more comfortable speaking outloud about the readings.

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