Pre-Assessment for Differentiation

Pre-Assessment for Differentiation

Preet Dhakaalia

Teach-Now M6U2A3

Why Pre-Assessment?

As important it is, for a teacher, to be prepared for teaching a lesson, it is also essential for a teacher to be aware

•   where to start from;
•   how to pace the lesson;
•   and which students to keep in focus at all times.

In order to be aware of the class level , pre Assessment is essential for any and all lessons. The main factors for pre Assessing the class are

· Differentiate Instruction
· Guide whole-group instruction
· Plan learning activities that address varying levels of readiness
· Determine which students have/have not achieved mastery of specific objectives
· Identify problems that might cause students difficulty with mastery of an objective
· Form flexible groups
· Determine master level of individuals or small groups

How to Pre-Assess?

There can be various unstructured form of pre assessments that can be done. But I feel that a documented structured method of Pre-Assessing is always better to planning and differentiating lessons.  This can be done by:

· Publisher-developed paper/pencil, software, or online formats
· Teacher-developed paper/pencil or online formats
· Journal prompts
· Written responses
· Structured observations
· Student demonstrations
· Student interviews

I have done a Socrative pre-assessment quiz for my grade 7. It’s a short quiz covering all the basic facts about the topic Fractions, Decimals and Percentages.

·      An above grade level student should not have any difficulty completing this quiz.

·      The grade level readiness student should be able to complete is during the stipulated time with very few mistakes.

·      Lower grade level student should need extra guidance for finishing it.

 

                Once we have pre Assessed the class, then comes the differentiated teaching. Differentiation should be done in everything. The main fact to be kept in mind during differentiation is that above grade level students are not give more attention and lower grade level students should not feel neglected and ignored in any way. It is very essential that there is positivenss towards learning in the class room at all times and Pre-Assessment should be a positive tool to encourage learning rather than a negative sword to cut out the weak students. I have done a mind map to clearly my way of differentiation. 

 

Citations:

https://totallytremendousteachers.wikispaces.com/The+Importance+of+Pre-Assessment+and+Formative+Assessment