On the inservice day this month the elementary art teachers met and developed a test to give our students at the end of the semester to assess their learning. This was very helpful for me because it forced us all to talk about what exactly the students needed to be able to do and also what we each emphasize and how we defined certain words or concepts when we teach them. Although the basic information is in the quarterly check-in, if we are to use common assessments I feel we need to be emphasizing the same things to our students and using the same explanations and definitions.
The test we made has already been helpful to me when I'm deciding what my lesson objectives are because I can look at it and ask myself "What do I need to do to make sure my students learn what is on the test?" I remember learning this strategy in college (plan the assessment first, then the lesson) but it was hard to apply to art because there was no emphasis on giving formal assessments in elementary art. Now I am starting to see how it can work.
It is like having a rubric for yourself! I know we break off into smaller groups on our in-service days, but I love hearing what is going on with the elementary groups. The things you guys are doing can often apply to the secondary level as well (and visa versa). Our conversations about common vocabulary and art language is a nice thing to have to know that we are consistent among buildings and grade levels. Hopefully when they reach the secondary levels, it starts to become natural language for them to use in the art room.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I was a little leary of doing tests for each grade level. However, the way that we set them up I really think that they will be beneficial. They are not purely written tests- the students will be demonstrating what they have already applied to their artwork. It will show us what the students actually know. Their artwork can show what they know too, however it can also just show how they are able to follow directions and they might not actually be grasping the concept.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is already helpful for planning for the upper grades especially.
I just need to figure out how I am going to fit everything in and a review and a quiz before the end of the quarter- I will need to really stay on track!