Saturday, October 22, 2011

Quick Learning Checks

 A fast and effective way to ensure that your child is understanding what he/she is learning about is to do a quick check at the end of a lesson.  It is important to know when your child is understanding a topic and when he/she may need further time spent on a topic.  This can sometimes be difficult to tell, especially if your child is working independently for most of the school day.


Checking your child's understanding on a daily or weekly basis is a great way to know that learning is happening and also a quick assessment tool that you can use to send me in a weekly communication.

Here's an idea for a quick check (5 minute assessment tool at the end of a lesson):
  • Look at the topic your child is learning about - ex. more or less than
  • Choose 2 content questions about the topic; these questions should take only a minute or two to answer - 
                 ex. Circle the correct symbol:   23 <   >  32
                 ex. Choose which number is greater and then draw that many circles:  12    20
  • Choose 1 reflective question (these are general and can be used for almost any topic or subject):
                 ex. What did you do well today?
  • Have your child answer the questions in oral or written format.  Send your assessment in to me as your weekly communication! 

Examples of “reflective” questions
1. What did you do well today?
2. What is one thing you learned today?
3. What do you know about fractions(or any topic or concept) that you did not know before today?
4. What is your goal for your work tomorrow?
5. Identify something you learned today about math (or other subject) or about yourself as a learner of math (or other subject).


Good questioning skills promotes better learning!  Throughout the year, I will attach "Question shells" to my newsletters or blog.  "Question shells" are broad questions that can be used for most topics and will extend your child's learning about a topic.  I encourage you to try them out as you work with your children at home.  :)


HAPPY LEARNING!