Adapted Assessment

Running head: ADAPTED ASSESSMENT

Adapted Assessment for the ELL Student

Michael A. DePolis
Grand Canyon University: TSL 560
June 26, 2013

Adapted Assessment for the ELL Student

Adapted Assessment

The following is an original paper-pencil assessment of finding the area of triangles after a
lesson and practice of the skill. The lesson was built around the idea that all triangles are basically
half of a rectangle. The formula of b (base) times h (height) times (divided by two) was the
understanding and skill to be demonstrated. (The visuals are omitted.)
Original Whole Class Assessment
Directions: Find the area (A) of the following triangles (b x h x ): Show your work, and label
your answers correctly in appropriate square units.
1. What is the area of a triangle where b = 10 cm. and h = 6 cm.? (30 cm.)
2. What is the area of a triangle where b = 12 in. and h = 3 in.? (18 in.)
3. What is the area of a triangle where b = 5 ft. and h = 24 in.? (5 ft.)
4. What is the area of a triangle where b = 50 m. and h = 3 m.? (75 m.)
5. What is the area of a triangle where b = 20 mm. and h = 30mm.? (300 mm.)
6. What is the area of a triangle where b = 4 yd. and h = 4 yd.? (8 yd.)
7. What is the area of a triangle where b = 9 cm. and h = 4 cm.? (18 cm.)
8. What is the area of a triangle where b = 8 in. and h = 20 in.? (80 in.)
9. What is the area of a triangle where b = 40 ft. and h = 10 ft.? (200 ft.)
10. What is the area of a triangle where b = 7 m. and h = 4 m.? (14 m.)
Alternative Assessment for ELL Student John
Johns English proficiency level has been determined to be Advanced Intermediate.
Information, or previous learning, was reproduced through scaffolding for interrelatedness and
increased complexity (Rothenberg & Fisher, 2007).
The following adaptations were included in this adapted assessment: (visuals omitted)

Side-by-side chart of metric/standard measurement units; millimeter, centimeter,

meter/inch, foot, yard.

Adapted Assessment

The vocabulary squared in congruence with the symbol to demonstrate two dimensional
surface areas.

Visuals of rectangles demonstrating half of for the area of triangles. Previous

knowledge: Area of a rectangle = l (length) x w (width).

More straight forward, simplified vocabulary with the emphasis on the demonstration of
task understanding.

Including expanded explanation of base and height and how these terms are related to
length and width.

Reminder that times is the same as divided by 2, as dividing is times the reciprocal
(previous vocabulary). Example provided: 8 x = 8/1 divided by 2/1 = 8 divided by 2 =
4.

Redundancy incorporated.
Adapted Assessment (visuals omitted)

Directions: Use the following rectangles to help you find the area of the triangles. Show your
work. Remember, the answers must be in square units. Remember: times is the same as
divided by 2. Example: 8 x = 8/1 divided by 2/1 = 8 divided by 2 = 4.
Base (b) is the bottom, like length. Height (h) is straight up and down (like width).
1. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 10 centimeters x 6 centimeters = 60
cm. squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that times is
the same as divided by 2.
2. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 12 inches x 3 inches = 36 inches
squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that times is the
same as divided by 2.

Adapted Assessment

3. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 5 feet x 24 inches (remember: There
are 12 inches in one foot.) = 5 x 2 = 10 feet squared , then what is the area of the triangle
next to it? Remember that times is the same as divided by 2.
4. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 50 meters x 3 meters = 150 meters
squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that times is the
same as divided by 2.
5. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 20 millimeters x 30 millimeters = 600
millimeters squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that times
is the same as divided by 2.
6. Squares are rectangles. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 4 yards x 4
yards = 16 yards squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that
times is the same as divided by 2.
7. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 9 centimeters x 4 centimeters = 36
centimeters squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that
times is the same as divided by 2.
8. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 8 inches x 20 inches = 160 inches
squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that times is the
same as divided by 2.
9. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 40 feet x 10 feet = 400 feet squared ,
then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that times is the same as
divided by 2.
10. If the area of this rectangle is length (l) x width (w), 7 meters x 4 meters = 28 meters
squared , then what is the area of the triangle next to it? Remember that times is the
same as divided by 2.

Adapted Assessment
Conclusion
If these adaptations are provided to John in this alternative assessment, at his English
proficiency level, he can be successful with demonstrating understanding of the concepts
demanded. The language supports will not diminish the grade level content requirements.

References
Rothenberg, C. & Fisher, D. (2007). Teaching English language learners: A differentiated
approach. Pearson Education, Inc.