Assessment Portfolio

6th-8th Orchestra

Task/ Tool Definition, Rationale, Implementation

Rubric Rubrics assess on a scale of criteria with specific descriptions of student

development. It is used for areas of student performance that have the possibility
to stretch across a wide variety of outcomes.
● To ensure the reliability and validity of rubrics, the descriptors in each
box should be specific and followed throughout the evaluation of all
students so it stays consistent.
● If students are scoring low, you know that there is an area that needs to
be covered once again before moving on.
Example:
Rubric: Shifting

Developing- Approaching- Meets- 3 Exceeds- 4

1 2

Fluid Motion Student does Student Student Student

not exhibit a almost exhibits a exhibits a
standard fluid exhibits a standard fluid beautiful
motion standard fluid motion fluid motion
between left motion between left between left
and right between left and right and right
hands. There and right hands. hands.
is significant hands. There
hesitation. is slight
hesitation

Intonation Student does Student Student Student

not produce a almost produces a produces a
quality tone produces a quality tone very high
in shifted quality tone in shifted quality tone
position. The in shifted position. in shifted
pitch is very position. position.
flat or sharp. Pitch is
slightly flat
or sharp.

Left Hand Student’s left Student’s left Student’s left Student’s left
Formation hand position hand position hand position hand position
is not correct. is correct. is correct and is correct,
Can be more relaxed. relaxed, and
relaxed. flexible.
 Total: __/12

Checklist Checklists allow for a quick check of multiple skills on a “yes or no” basis of
the student’s ability to do the task. It is used to highlight the important aspects of
the skills being graded. With the large scale of students our music classes have,
this can be an easy way to mark off how everyone is doing in a short amount of
time.
● To ensure the reliability and validity of checklists, you should only use it
for skills/ knowledge that is a blatant “yes the student has it” or “no the
student does not have it yet.” Otherwise a rubric should be used.
Example:

Recording/ Playing tests give the educator an idea of where the student is at with playing
playing test the material. You can have it be an in-class assessment like chair placement
auditions or hearing different sections play in rehearsal. It can also be a
recording assignment that students submit online.
● To ensure the reliability and validity of a recording assignment/ test,
there should be a rubric attached on your end so that you are assessing
all students equally.
● The teacher should give clear expectations and plenty of time for the
student to complete the recording assignment as well as a space to do it
at school if they do not have the resources needed at home.
Example:
Record yourself playing m. 1-14 at 120 bpm. Focus on attacks and releases of
notes.

Written test Written tests are used to measure a student’s knowledge or rhetoric on a certain
topic. Examples of written tests are worksheets, board work, packets.
● To ensure the reliability and validity of worksheets, you will want to
make sure that the content covered in the written assignment align with
what you are intending to teach them as well as having it connect to
class lessons.
Example:
Poster Posters show information on a topic in a summarizing and big picture level.
This allows for students to discuss their topic and opens the floor for each
student to give feedback to each other as well as cross curricular opportunities to
be explored.
● To ensure the reliability and validity of the poster project, you as the
teacher should give clear guidelines of what topics should be covered in
the poster, how long it should be, how much time they have on it, and
other considerations around possible confusion.
Example:
Students will be split into groups to research and create a poster on their topic
surrounding Argentine Tango. Some categories include: Dance, Music and
composers, Food, Art, History. These posters can be displayed at the concert for
the audience to learn a bit more about the music they are about to hear.
Below is an example of a history poster:

Source for Argentine tango information: Dancefacts

Program Program notes open the opportunity for students to research the piece, the
Notes composer, and the history surrounding the composition. This gets the students
 involved not only with learning about the piece but also being a part of the
concert set up process.
● To ensure reliability and validity, students will be given clear
expectations and guidelines as well as time in class to complete their
research.
Example:
Students will work in groups to create the program notes for the concert. They
must include information about the composer, composition, and the historical
background.

Journal In a journal, students can write so many things like reflections about rehearsal,
practice logs, self evaluations, stories, and many other things. The purpose is to
deepen student’s connection with rehearsal and the music.
● You can assess that students are engaged in class and better understand
where they are. To ensure reliability and validity of using journaling you
will want to make sure to give the students plenty of prompts and ideas
on how to fully utilize it.
Some examples of prompts for student’s journals:
● Stories that go with the music
● Personal goals
● Self assessment
● Musical activities outside of the class
● Reflections on rehearsals
● Research
● Working on projects

Storyboard A storyboard is a creative project that allows for many interpretations of the
music. We would use a storyboard in class to show how music can be perceived
differently to every individual.
● To ensure reliability and validity of using a storyboard, you would need
to make it clear the purpose of the project.
Example:
Sources:
https://academic.shu.ac.uk/assessmentessentials/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Assessment-Tasks-
Methods.pdf
https://assessment.tki.org.nz/Using-evidence-for-learning/Working-with-data/Concepts/Reliabilit
y-and-validity#:~:text=The%20reliability%20of%20an%20assessment,it%20was%20designed%
20to%20measure.