Standard 2.g.
Understand, design, and implement grading processes and assessments, using multiple approaches to accommodate diverse backgrounds, abilities, and needs of students.
Throughout my lesson planning process I tried to always try new assessments because I do not like just giving worksheets for students to fill out. I also realize that not all students learn best from worksheets or other traditional methods of assessment. Therefore what I did was come up with alternative ways to assess student learning while still meeting my objective for the lesson. This was seen mostly in my History classes, although there were a few times in my English class as well. One assessment that has stuck out in my head as very successful was the “build your own capitol project” I had my Michigan History class do. We had talked about the reason why the capitol of Michigan moved from Detroit to Lansing. I had them decide on where a new capitol should be built within Michigan and give reasons according to the same logic as the original move from Detroit to Lansing. Then once they had decided where and why they moved the capitol they had to design a new capitol out of either construction paper or tin foil.
The student’s responded very well to this type of assessment and got a lot out of it. They were able to have freedom in choosing where they wanted the capitol to be and how to design it. This was important because with a worksheet you tied to only answering the questions and everyone’s answer has to be the same. Where as with this type of assessment I was still seeing if they understood the reasons and logic needed to move a capitol. It is always good to let kids have freedom in the way you assess them as well as get away from the worksheets.