Use Assessment To Plan Instruction
In this activity, you will assess the reading and writing performance of one of your students to guide your instruction.
- Print the Student Assessment Form (PDF). Consider what you want to know about the student's performance in the different areas of literacy.
- Collect three to five performance samples or records of informal assessments. They should provide evidence of the student's strengths and needs in the following areas:
- Concepts About Print
- Word Knowledge
- Reading Fluency
- Motivation and Interest
- Analyze the assessment samples to determine the student's strengths and needs, and complete the Student Assessment Form.
Now use the assessment data collected to plan subsequent instruction to support the student's learning.
- From the assessment information, identify the areas of reading and writing in which the student requires different or additional practice.
- Develop lessons and activities that will advance the student's learning in these areas.
For example, if the student's oral reading fluency should be stronger, you might plan activities to develop fluency with simple texts (e.g., repeated readings, reading into a tape recorder, practicing reading to a younger student.)
If the student has difficulty recalling and comprehending elements of stories, you might select texts with a clear story structure (e.g., folk tales), develop lessons that focus on story elements, and provide simple story maps for the child to outline the important information.
To chart the student's progress, repeat similar assessments throughout the year and adjust instruction accordingly. Compare Assessment Forms to consider how the student has progressed.
The Running Record (PDF) and letter to next year's teacher (PDF) are also available for your reference.