Learning objective from the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Mathematics
Share one of Georgia Science or Math learning objectives.
Below are five types of assessments you will utilize in your classroom during your teaching career. Choose two and discuss how these assessments align with and support the learning objective.
Diagnostic/Pre-assessment
Formative assessment
Summative assessment
Criterion-referenced assessment
Alternative assessment
Selected Learning Objective
For this exercise, I will select a learning objective from the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Mathematics, specifically from Algebra I.
Learning Objective
GSE Algebra I: A.REI.3 - "Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, including equations with coefficients represented by letters."
Selected Assessments
1. Formative Assessment
Description: Formative assessments are ongoing assessments used to monitor student learning and provide immediate feedback during the instructional process. They can take various forms, including quizzes, exit tickets, classroom discussions, and quick checks for understanding.
Alignment with Learning Objective:
- Monitoring Understanding: A formative assessment could consist of a short quiz where students solve a series of linear equations and inequalities. This allows the teacher to gather data on students' comprehension of the concepts related to A.REI.3. This assessment would help identify which students are struggling with specific skills, such as isolating the variable or applying inverse operations.
- Immediate Feedback: After students complete the quiz, the teacher can review answers in real-time, addressing misconceptions immediately. For instance, if many students struggle with a particular type of equation (e.g., those involving fractions), the teacher can provide additional instruction or practice on that topic.
- Adjusting Instruction: Based on the formative assessment results, the teacher can adjust subsequent lessons to meet students' needs, such as providing more examples or different problem types to enhance understanding.
2. Summative Assessment
Description: Summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. These assessments typically occur at the conclusion of a unit or course and can include tests, projects, or presentations.
Alignment with Learning Objective:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: A summative assessment for A.REI.3 could involve a unit test where students solve a variety of linear equations and inequalities, including word problems and multi-step equations. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that students demonstrate their understanding of not only the mechanics of solving equations but also the application of these skills in different contexts.
- Higher-Order Thinking: The summative assessment can also incorporate questions that require students to explain their reasoning or justify their solutions. For example, students could be asked to solve an equation and then explain how they arrived at their answer, thereby demonstrating their understanding of the underlying principles.
- Benchmark for Mastery: The results from this summative assessment provide a clear measure of whether students have met the learning objective. Teachers can analyze student performance to determine overall class mastery and identify any areas that may need revisiting in future lessons.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both formative and summative assessments play crucial roles in supporting the learning objective A.REI.3 from the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Algebra I. Formative assessments provide ongoing feedback that helps guide instructional decisions and address student needs in real-time. In contrast, summative assessments serve as a final evaluation to determine whether students have mastered the skills necessary to solve linear equations and inequalities. Together, these assessments create a comprehensive approach to student evaluation that fosters deeper understanding and application of mathematical concepts.