FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Assessment activities should be quick, enjoyable, and versatile. That’s because formative assessment
is best when it’s ongoing and consistent. Teachers use it in their classrooms to provide critical
feedback to students. It helps them to monitor and modify their instruction methods and lesson plans
to improve learning outcomes. That’s why we must use a variety of assessment activities and change
them up frequently to stimulate both students and themselves.
Formative assessment is an assessment that’s both for learning and as learning. This continual cycle
of feedback and improvement makes learning useful and effective. Try these assessment activities
with your students and see the results for yourself.
These are awesome formative assessments that we like because they’re creative, low-tech, fun, and
best of all, engaging for students. They’re easy for a teacher to implement on an ongoing basis
anytime.

15 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES YOU'LL LOVE USING

Peer Quizzes
Students can write their own questions about the content and then quiz each other. They would also
spend time going through the incorrect answers with each other to heighten their understanding.

5x5 Journal
Journaling has been proven to be one of the best reflection tools around for learning. Have students
journal about the five most interesting ideas they discover during a lesson. Next, they identify five
things that resonate with them about each one and explain why.

Past Postcards
Have students adopt the personality of a historical figure and write a postcard to another historical
figure from the same era. They can discuss a significant event from history that has just occurred.

Cool Collages
Ask students to make a collage or poster from magazine photos for demonstrating their understanding
of a concept. They can use standard art materials or use apps designed for drawing.

Talk it Out
Students can host their own talk show and discuss the important points of any lesson. They write their
own questions and answers, and can even play characters of their own creation.

Daring Doodles
Challenge students to use a drawing rather than words to show understanding of a concept. This is the
perfect exercise for those kids who have difficulty speaking out in class.

Exploration Table
At the end of class, each student answers the following questions presented to them on index cards:
What did we do in class?
Why did we do it?
What did I learn today?
How can I apply it?
What questions do I have about it?

3-2-1
Have students write or talk about 3 things they learned, 2 things they still want to learn, and 1
question they have. These values are interchangeable and can be used in different combinations, or
with different questions altogether.

Four Corners
This is a great way to encourage dynamic movement while learning multiple-choice questions.
Designate each corner of the classroom to represent A, B, C, and D. Students go to the corner that
they believe corresponds with the correct answer.

Traffic Cards
Students create index cards with a large green marker circle on one side and red on the other. If they
are following along and understanding the lesson, the green side of their card is upright and visible to
you. When they do not understand something and need clarification, they flip the card to show you the
red side. Here is an alternative method that can be downloaded for free and printed on coloured card
stock for quick use.

Twitter Board
Students summarize what was learned in a lesson using 140 characters. Pin small strips of paper to a
poster or cork board to resemble a Twitter feed.

Top Ten Lists

Students can write out their ten most important takeaways from a lesson plan or a class discussion.
Encourage them to create lists that are humorous and fun.

Roll the Dice

Put a 6-sided dice at each desk. At the end of class, each student rolls and briefly answers aloud a
question based on the number rolled:
I want to remember …
Something I learned today
One word to sum up what I learned
Something I already knew
I’m still confused about …
An “aha” moment that I had today

Enthusiasm Example Chart

Here's a great chart for not only collecting feedback but also introducing scatter plots to students.
Students rank what they learned that day and how much they enjoyed the lessons. They then elaborate
on a Post-It, offering details about what they found helpful to them in having a successful learning
day. They can also share what prevented them from having a fulfilling day. Compile the data and
discuss it in class the next day.
Quick Quotable
Have students create two columns on a piece of paper. On one side have them write 5 or 6 of their
most favourite quotes from people they admire. In the adjoining column, have them write their own
interpretation of what the quote means to them and why it appeals to them. If they’re feeling good
about it, have them consider what makes a great quote as they write their own about ideas that are
important to them.

Make it Mindful
Formative assessment is mindful assessment. This means rethinking the relationship between teaching
and learning and assessing the crucial skills students need to succeed both now in the future. The book
that will guide you in making this possible is our very own Mindful Assessment.
This book will show you exactly how to succeed in making a shift to using a primarily student-
centred approach to assessment that puts a focus on constantly adjusting your teaching and feedback
to ensure students are improving constantly. We'll show you the best methods for guiding learning by
responding proactively to student performance, being present for your students and aware of what’s
happening with them, and using the best assessment practices possible.