12 Creative Ways to Formatively Assess Your Students

Looking for ways to mix up testing your students’ knowledge and comprehension? Check out some of the awesome ideas that teachers shared with us on our social media channels:

1. “I like to do a Round Robin show and tell about their projects. The students go around and share “I likes” and “I wonders” for constructive feedback from their peers! The students love it! #educatorfirst” – Amy M.
2. “Dramatize! Places, cameras, ACTION! I always feel that if a child could touch, feel , and see the equation it becomes a reality! Just love it when the lights come on. ‘Oh yeah now I get it!’” – Robin D.
3. “Jeopardy style team games.” – Mary B.
4. “Small group intervention.” – Andrea C.
5. Exit ticket that looks like a state test question (multiple choice), but I also require work shown for math. I love Study Island and I’ve created a teacher against teacher challenge to see which class can get the most blue ribbons on grade level content.” – Jamie R.
6. “Peer editing of responses to writing prompts.” – Comfort A.
7. “Tomorrow my students will work in groups to determine the mystery ingredients for Christmas Cookie Recipes by multiplying and dividing fractions instead of taking a unit test.” – Jason C.
8. “We do ticket out the door. It’s fun, quick, and easy!” – Sandra F.
9. “Something collaborative or creative.” – Jill W.
10. “Small groups led by students.“ – Sara W.
11. “I do the thumbs up, thumbs down, in the middle questions. I do this frequently as a in general how well do you understand the concept, how did you do on your homework, how did you do on your warm-up? The students can hold the thumbs to their chest.” – Katie M.
12. “I use what’s called “My Favorite Mistake”. Give one problem for the class to complete and turn in on an index card–I pick one that has a mistake–see if the students can pick out the mistake–then model how and why the mistake was made.” – Melissa M.