matthews_09_journal_2

Emily Matthews EDC 452- Section 3 Assessment Journal #2

Every night the first grade students in my placement bring home their “take home” folders which have graded work, forms to be given to their parents, a leveled reading book and a reading log. Each night the student is supposed to read a book that is sent home with them with a parent, older sibling or care provider. The adult must then fill out the reading log with the name of the book, the reading level, their initials and any comments they have. The teacher has a collection of leveled books that go from level one past level twenty-two. The goal is for students reading levels to steadily progress throughout the school year. These books are placed on a shelf in bins separated by reading level. There are numerous books for each level. Sometimes the teacher will ask the students to grab a book from their reading level when they have finished their work early. Whenever the teacher gets a chance during their free time at the end of the day she will sit down with a student and have them read a book from their reading level. Sometimes one of the aids will read with the students and write down how they did for the teacher. This allows the teacher to see how well the student is reading at that particular reading level. This is an observational assessment where the teacher can assess the students reading abilities. The teacher then decides if the student needs to spend more time at this reading level or if they are ready to move on to a higher level. Also, if necessary the teacher can have the student go back down a level if that reading level is proving to be too difficult for the student at that time. There is a large variety of reading levels in the classroom. This assessment allows for the teacher to make changes to the student’s reading level at any time. She does not have to move everyone up a level at the same time. I think this is a very effective assessment that also encourages students to read more so they can continue to move up a reading level. Also, having a reading log ensures that the students are doing some practice reading outside of school and not just relying on their time spent reading in the classroom. This assessment allows the teacher to make immediate changes as well. If the student is flying through a certain level she can move them up a level to challenge the student more which is how they learn. This assessment also allows the teacher to see which students may need more help or practice reading with a teacher or aid in the classroom.

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