bscal_journal3

Brianna Scalera Assessment Journal #3 This past week in the first grade classroom students was being assessed on simple math memorization. Students are required to know addition and subtraction of numbers 1 through 10 off hand. On flashcards the teacher wrote math facts such as 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 and so on. The students were called up and had to quickly call off the answers to the math problems. If the student got all 10 of the problem correct then a check was placed next to their name in the grade book. The check indicates that the student knows those math facts and does not need to be re-tested. If the student got one or more incorrect than the teacher wouldn’t write anything next to the students name to indicate that the student needed to be re-tested before the student could move on in assessment. I feel that this is an adequate way to test because it is quick and easy. Students either know the answer or they don’t and since the student is not allowed to use their fingers or any other manipulative to come up with the answer, calling out the answer is the only way to be sure the student really knows the math. The student should be able to look at 10-2 and know the answer is 8, or at least quickly perform the subtraction in their head and say the answer. This sort of assessment tests each student individually and is reliable because there is only one correct answer and no judgment of the teacher is involved. If I were to assess students on math this way I would be sure to do it weekly so that students get use to the pattern and structure of the assessment. I would also give out daily exercises to help students practice their addition and subtraction. Addition and subtraction are essential math skills because math builds off of addition and subtraction. Like my teacher, it is important to keep on top of the students who don’t pass the assessment the first time.