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Shifts to Readers Workshop - KG-G2 BFIS Onsite Jan. 2025 (5)

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Next Steps with Reading (Assessment & Text Complexity) BFIS Jan. 2025

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(see above for student diagnostic)

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(diagnostic) see additonal attachements for instructions

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The newest addition to Scholastic's "Science of Reading" collection is an early literacy handbook written by a teacher for teachers. This book is about decoding and phonics. Lindsey uses her impeccable body of research to create a powerful translational work interpreting reading science. She employs a scaffolded approach to teaching foundational skills, starting with decoding and oral language, moving through phonemic awareness and sound-spelling knowledge, and ending with fluency. Of particular value is the focus on bridging to practice: activities and lessons presented here can be used immediately in the classroom. The book is predicated on the "Essential Instructional Swap" of substituting ineffective activities for more effective, evidence-based routines. For example, "Fewer Rhymes, More Phonemes" and "Less Pointing to Text in Predictable Books, More Engaging in Shared Reading." The depth of research backing this text cannot be overstated. Lindsey refers to the findings of meta-analyses throughout, and the book sports a beefy and current reference section. VERDICT This title can be used as a handbook for professional educators; its clear organization and focused language will be useful for early literacy teachers.-Jennifer Townesα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

" Reading Above the Fray is a wonderful resource, a book I read from cover to cover. The scholarship is impeccable, citing the central and most impactful studies surrounding foundational skills and their importance to reading acquisition. Authored by a passionate educator, the book is rich in stories, lessons, activities, and ideas. It is a joy to read and will become a well-worn guide for teachers and students of reading!"Book Smart: How to , Julia masterfully connects the deep research base on how kids learn to read to what teachers can do tomorrow in their classrooms. What I love even more about the book is her focus on the joy of helping students develop the tools they need to achieve reading success."

- ANNE E. CUNNINGHAM, Professor, Learning Sciences and Human Development, University of California, Berkeley; author of Develop and Support Successful, Motivated Readers Letter Lessons and First Words: Phonics Foundations That Work

"This book speaks to something near and dear to my heart-the power of early literacy to lead to lifelong learning and immeasurable opportunities. With clarity and precision, Dr. Lindsey cuts through the distracting noise around reading instruction. Her book should be required reading in preservice and inservice programs. With it, we can chart a course forward to literacy for all."

- SHARIF EL-MEKKI, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Black Educator Development

"One of the best books I've read on decoding and phonics. With passion for teaching, Dr. Lindsey interprets reading science in ways that are directly transferable to the classroom. Her book is chock full of techniques, activities, and strategies-a veritable 'go-to' resource. This is exactly the kind of translational work the field needs!"

- SUSANNE NOBLES, Chief Academic Officer, ReadWorks

"Accessible, timely, and easy to use, this is a book that needed to be written for teachers, literacy coaches, and school administrators looking to develop efficient and effective literacy instruction. Dr. Lindsey simplifies the complexities of foundational skills instruction, synthesizes research by bridging it to practice, and provides routines that can be implemented the very next day. I predict it will become a primary resource that educators return to time and again."

- REBECCA MILES, Early Literacy Consultant and Coach Coordinator, Berrien Regional Educational Service Agency

"If you think a professional book about decoding and foundational skills can't be engaging, think again! Dr. Lindsey artfully combines wit, wisdom, and classroom realism with evidence-based routines that we can implement immediately. Most important, she centers each chapter on children, calling us to value and build upon the strengths, perspectives, and cultural assets they bring. This book is a win for educators and, by extension, the children and families they serve!"

- ANNIE PETROZZELLI SPEAR, Literacy Specialist, Consultant, and Author

"Elementary teachers have been waiting for this one! Dr. Lindsey explains not only the 'why' behind the essential elements of decoding, but also provides explicit guidance and routines to help any teacher swap out ineffective practices for more effective and efficient research-based ones. She makes it easy to align instruction to reading science
and teach 'above the fray.'"

- KATHARINE NOONAN, English Language Arts Instructional Coach, District of Columbia Public Schools
- HEIDI ANNE MESMER, Professor of Literacy Education, Virginia Tech; author of Reading Above the Fray

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Reading Above the Fray: Reliable, Research-Based Routines for Developing Decoding Skills (The Science of Reading in Practice)

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Julia Lindsey's evidence-backed routines help young readers decode words efficiently so they can spend more energy on comprehending--and enjoying--what they read! You'll find:1. need-to-know essentials of how kids learn to read.2. principles of high-quality foundational skills instruction.3. teac...

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"Finally, a book that has the power to stop the literacy pendulum swings! In Shifting the Balance, Burkins and Yates skillfully explore 'balanced literacy' and 'the science of reading' to find the sweet spots where they overlap, connect, and actually complement one another. The result is a resource that raises our level of instruction while helping children discover and reap the joyful rewards of reading."

"What are the research-based, critical elements for teaching reading? In Shifting the Balance, Jan and Kari give you the information, classroom examples, and tools to help you make the best decisions around six key shifts for instruction. After reviewing the misunderstandings, the science, and the needs of your students, you will be able to audit your current practices (individually, in a PLC, or system-wide) to provide responsive and effective literacy learning for all your students."

"In Shifting the Balance, Jan and Kari invite us to reflect and reexamine our beliefs about teaching reading. They gently nudge us to rethink and possibly adjust our early literacy practices. Jan and Kari have taken on this controversial topic by embracing vulnerability and modeling what it means to be truly reflective practitioners. This book is a must read for new and veteran teachers!"

"In Shifting the Balance, Kari and Jan have masterfully dispelled many of the myths and misunderstandings associated with reading instruction. Additionally, they offer classroom teachers and coaches six simple, practical shifts that have the power to transform the way we teach children how to read. Indeed, balanced literacy and science do exist in harmony, and we practitioners can offer our children both concurrently. Thank you, Kari and Jan, for this important work that is sure to change lives!"

"In Shifting the Balance, Jan Burkins and Kari Yates provide a safe space for teachers to courageously examine some long-held balanced literacy practices and turn a critical eye to where those practices have gotten out of balance. If you're willing to be vulnerable and move towards resolving the gap between research and practice, this book provides actionable steps you can take to shift your thinking and bring instruction into alignment with the scientific evidence."

"Shifting the Balance is a welcoming opportunity to reexamine our familiar teaching practices. Without judgment, Burkins and Yates invigorate these practices by inviting educators to make scientific shifts in the systems that have been in place for years. This book will revolutionize reading instruction and in turn, the lives of countless students."

"This book speaks to teachers. It is overwhelmingly clear that Jan Burkins and Kari Yates have been and are immersed in the world of today's classrooms. Shifting the Balance will help many rethink instruction in ways that will support all students. In the current version of the Reading Wars, it is difficult for any of us to say we were wrong about some of our beliefs or practices. And thus, few do. However, Jan Burkins and Kari Yates have done just that. This is as commendable as it is unusual."

"This book found me at just the right time! Shifting the Balance gives voice to the questions I've had in my mind about Balanced Literacy and the Science of Reading and provides clear insights on how to connect the best parts of both to benefit early readers. Throughout the book, Jan and Kari confirm practices worth holding onto while providing actionable next steps I can't wait to implement with students to strengthen my reading instruction."

Dr. Jan Burkins was an elementary classroom teacher for seven years and a literacy coach for seven years. She has worked as a part-time assistant professor, a district literacy leader, and is currently a fulltime writer and consultant.

Kari Yates is an author, speaker, consultant and staff developer with a passion for helping busy literacy educators thrive. Her experiences include classroom teacher, special education, Reading Recovery teacher, elementary principal and district literacy coordinator.

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Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom

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Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom

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Benefits of Decodable Books (bullet points)

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Benefits of Decodable Books (bullet points)

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Simple Words Books | Best Decodable Books for Striving Readers

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Benefits of Decodable Books - Simple Words Books | Best Decodable Books for Striving Readers

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Easy to read big-kids books for striving readers. Traditional chapter books can frustrate struggling readers who work hard to learn phonics skills their peers master easily.

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Screener
K/1-Letter names/sounds, phonemic awareness
G2+-ORF+Vocab

(Acadience, DIBELS/mClass,  EasyCBM and AIMSWEB are the most popular and best researched data storage brands)

Diagnostic Tools
Decoding (CORE Phonics Survey)--sourced from here
Phonemic Awareness (CORE) or check out Heggerty--remember the phoneme level is the important focus

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Text Project

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The Reading GPS gives teachers information about whether students are moving toward the goal of proficient reading.

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DIBELS was developed based on Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM), which were created by Deno and colleagues through the Institute for Research and Learning Disabilities at the University of Minnesota in the 1970s-80s (e.g., Deno and Mirkin, 1977; Deno, 1985; Deno and Fuchs, 1987; Shinn, 1989). Like CBM, DIBELS were developed to be economical and efficient indicators of a student's progress toward achieving a general outcome. Mark Shinn (Professor in the College of Education at the University of Oregon for 19 years) actually originated the name "Dynamic Indicators of Basic Skills" (Shinn, 1989, 1999).

Although DIBELS materials were initially developed to be linked to the local curriculum (Kaminski & Good, 1996), current DIBELS measures are generic and do not draw content from any specific curriculum. The use of generic CBM methodology is typically referred to as General Outcome Measurement (GOM) (Fuchs & Deno, 1994).

Research on DIBELS is conducted at the University of Oregon (UO) and began in the late 1980s. Since then, an ongoing series of studies on DIBELS has documented the reliability and validity of the various DIBELS subtests, as well as their sensitivity to student change. Research on DIBELS continues to this day at the UO's Center on Teaching and Learning (CTL) and has been conducted by dozens of UO faculty and students (e.g., Cummings, Park, & Bauer Schaper, 2013; Cummings, Stoolmiller, Baker, Fien, & Kame'enui, 2015; Smolkowski & Cummings, 2016; Stoolmiller, Biancarosa, & Fien, 2013).

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DIBELS was developed based on Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM), which were created by Deno and colleagues through the Institute for Research and Learning Disabilities at the University of Minnesota in the 1970s-80s (e.g., Deno and Mirkin, 1977; Deno, 1985; Deno and Fuchs, 1987; Shinn, 1989).

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Lots of Resources available on this website! You may have to register...

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The Six Shifts Where Science of Reading Meets Balanced Literacy. We provide resources, professional development, and literacy audits for busy literacy educators like you.

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M.Ed. - Character Education

Post-Grad. Cert. - Early Literacy Development

25+ years PK-G2 classroom teacher

Literacy Coach, Mentor Program Coordinator

Finds joy in: word study, creating caring classrooms, reigniting teacher’s joy, eating ice cream, swimming and travel

miles@erinkentconsulting.com

linkedin.com/in/milesmadison/

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jordan@erinkentconsulting.com

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For each of these seven must haves, Wiley shares lessons, routines, word lists, tips for ELL and advanced learners, and advice on pitfalls to avoid regarding pacing, decodable texts, transition time, and more.

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A Fresh Look at Phonics, Grades K-2: Common Causes of Failure and 7 Ingredients for Success (Corwin Literacy)

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A Fresh Look at Phonics, Grades K-2: Common Causes of Failure and 7 Ingredients for Success (Corwin Literacy)

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Flyleaf Publishing - Online Materials Portal

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For Students - Flyleaf Publishing - Online Materials Portal

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View the results of the updated 2017 study on oral reading fluency (ORF) by Jan Hasbrouck and Gerald Tindal, with compiled ORF norms for grades 1-6. You'll also find an analysis of how the 2017 norms differ from the 2006 norms.

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Join the EKC Literacy Community of Teachers

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Join the EKC Literacy Community of Teachers

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https://erinkentconsulting.com/community

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Literacy Consultants & Consulting Services | Erin Kent Consulting

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About the Community | Erin Kent Consulting (EKC)

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A few special gifts for signing up now: a strategy call with Erin Kent or an EKC Senior Strategist to get started using the EKC Community to support your current literacy initiatives; and 5 free spots in our live, virtual winter courses ($1495 value!)

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Passages that match the phonics feature you are using...

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Blank Checklist
Basic Sample
Reading Rope Sample

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Interested in this bundle? Email us at [email protected]

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Whole Group Intervention + Differentiation

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Whole Group Intervention + Differentiation

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UFLI Passages
The Measured Mom-Fiction  Nonfiction
Core Knowledge Student Readers
Beyond Decodables
Speld Phonic Books
Open Source Phonics (Passages)
Flyleaf Publishing
Starfall

Other decodable books to purchase

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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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UFLI Whole Group Lesson Differentiation Ideas

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UFLI Whole Group Lesson Differentiation Ideas

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ISL UFLI Differentiation Implementation Planning

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The Education Table (UDL in bite sized chunks)

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The Education Table (UDL in bite sized chunks)

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This podcast explains UDL in 8 minute episodes. It is a great way to familiarize with the terminology and reflect on what is already happening in your learning community.

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The Education Table Podcast from Katie Novak

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Transform education with Katie Novak on The Education Table Podcast. Join the movement for inclusive and innovative education in 10 minutes or less.

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To the Classroom (Jennifer Serravallo) *** Excellent guests and follow up practical conversations about taking it back "to the classroom"

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy (Many options but Episode 157 with Nancy Hennessy will directly connect to comprehension work)

Science of Reading: The Podcast (published by Amplify)

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Teacher question: Our reading program has us evaluating students on several strategies and reading skills (e.g., orienting, predicting, monitoring, story elements, identifying point of view, word solving, retelling, inferring character traits, determining theme). It provides grade level rubrics so that we can tell the difference between whether students are doing 4th grade or 5th grade work. We are also encouraged to have the students themselves self-assess their progress on these elements. The idea is that we are to use these evaluations to help students see where they are. Is this kind of t...

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Literacy Education | Shanahan on Literacy

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Tim Shanahan is a premier literacy educator in reading instruction and comprehension. He is a Public Speaker and Advocate for Literacy Education. Contact us for more information!

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It's settled science: developing skilled readers can enhance students' lives. That's why renowned educators Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Diane Lapp wrote this resource with the urgency of a code blue in an ER-because too many children, for many reasons, struggle with learning to become strong readers.

Designed to be a one-stop shop for best practices, Teaching Reading is concise, encyclopedic, and essential. Thirteen interactive modules provide easy to read ideas to support you teaching every child to read very well. You will learn how to:

Focus on two critical aspects of reading-word recognition and language comprehension.

Select the best activities to support students in grades K-6 to learn letters and sound relationships.

Provide developing readers with the most effective oral, written, and reading experiences.

Recharge your confidence and craft with uplifting new research findings from neuroscience, cognitive science, and child development.

Clear up confusions about phonics progressions, reading fluency, morphology, text selection, grammar, and more.

Develop background knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension instruction.

Be up to date on how to help students attain deeper levels of comprehension by applying Theory of Mind and other cutting-edge ideas.

Reading is a thrilling but complex process. It involves a heady mix of skills, schema, self-concept, and social dimensions. To give all students the chance to reap its rewards, we need a go-big kind of resource. This is it.

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Like an animated encyclopedia, Teaching Reading delivers the latest evidence-based practices in 13-interative modules that will transform your instruction and reenergize your career.

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Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong

There's an idea about how children learn to read that's held sway in schools for more than a generation - even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. Teaching methods based on this idea can make it harder for children to learn how to read. In this podcast, host Emily Hanford investigates the influential authors who promote this idea and the company that sells their work. It's an exposé of how educators came to believe in something that isn't true and are now reckoning with the consequences - children harmed, money wasted, an education system upended.

Sixty years ago, Marie Clay developed a way to teach reading she said would help kids who were falling behind. They'd catch up and never need help again. Today, her program remains popular and her theory about how people read is at the root of a lot of reading instruction in schools. But Marie Clay was wrong.
Sold a Story is an independent investigative journalism project from American Public Media. We rely on your donations to support this kind of rigorous reporting.
The controversial educational publishing company has sold instructional materials and professional resources in almost every state, earning at least $1.6 billion over a decade. Explore a map of school districts.

More states are now requiring districts to adopt curriculum that adheres to the science of reading. Look up the policy in your state.

At least 15 states have passed laws about how schools teach reading since the Sold a Story podcast was released in 2022, but there is pushback.

Here's a reading list put together by Emily Hanford.

This discussion guide, created by a teacher, invites educators, parents, community members and kids to have a conversation about the podcast.

Emails and voice messages poured in from people who listened to Sold a Story.

We'll let you know when we release new episodes of the podcast. Enter your address below.

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Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong

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There's an idea about how children learn to read that's held sway in schools for more than a generation - even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. Teaching methods based on this idea can make it harder for children to learn how to read.

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In this no-nonsense guide, primary reading expert and classroom teacher Lindsay Kemeny shares seven ways K-3 teachers can modify what they are currently doing to transform their reading instruction. Each chapter focuses on a critical area of foundational reading-from the most efficient ways to teach phonemic awareness and phonics to the most effective ways to boost comprehension. Kemeny clears up confusing terms and concepts and offers up "do-tomorrow" strategies to help kids acquire reading skills efficiently and successfully transfer those skills to their reading. Readers will find the literacy routines and lessons Kemeny uses every day with her students detailed in the book, along with links to video demonstrations showing how she puts them into practice.

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7 Mighty Moves: Research-backed, Classroom-tested Strategies to Ensure K-to-3 Reading Success (Science of Reading in Practice)

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In this no-nonsense guide, primary reading expert and classroom teacher Lindsay Kemeny shares seven ways K-3 teachers can modify what they are currently doing to transform their reading instruction. Each chapter focuses on a critical area of foundational reading-from the most efficient ways to te...

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Science of Reading: The Podcast will deliver the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Via a conversational approach, each episode explores a timely topic related to the science of reading.

Science of Reading: The Podcast will deliver the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Via a conversational approach, each episode explores a timely topic related to the science of reading.

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‎„Science of Reading: The Podcast" auf Apple Podcasts

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Science of Reading: The Podcast will deliver the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Via a conversational approach, each episode explores a timely topic related to the science of reading.

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Your Research-based Guide to Developing Skilled Readers. 300+ strategies with learning progressions support 13 reading goals, with each strategy cross-linked to skills, teacher tips, prompts, research, and reading levels—everything from fluency to literary analysis.

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Reading 101: Self-Paced Learning Modules

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Core knowledge about reading is a key to effective literacy instruction. Our free, self-paced learning modules can help you deepen your understanding of the building blocks of reading and writing.

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Cortex in the Classroom: Advancing the Science of Reading in the Early Years

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Cortex in the Classroom: Advancing the Science of Reading in the Early Years

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Advancing Science of Reading in the Early Years - K–5 Literacy Program & Curriculum | Amplify CKLA

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Science of Reading-Reading League Defining Guide

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Science of Reading-Reading League Defining Guide

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40 pg Presentation--user friendly!

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How the Brain Learns to Read - Prof. Stanislas Dehaene

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Achieve the Core

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Designing book baskets to boost motivation, enthusiasm and engagement

I teach first grade in Anacortes, Washington and my district recently adopted a popular balanced literacy curriculum. I have had wonderings and discussions with colleagues about students reading “at their level” and what this means for our struggling readers. I wondered how my struggling readers would ever access grade-level text if they were always reading “at their level.”  I also believe students have more than one level. If they have knowledge around a topic, they can read a higher level text and I wouldn’t want any books to be off-limits for a child to try and read.  I was recently invited to participate as a pilot classroom in a project to design “book baskets,” or collections of thematically similar books at varying complexity levels, out of the books in my classroom library. This work came along at a perfect time. I wanted to try something different to reach the needs of all of my readers, and ensure they were making progress tackling increasingly complex texts.  This project’s focus was on increasing student motivation, enthusiasm, and engagement when they were given choice in the books they read.

My classroom library is organized into topics and levels.  Each K-6 classroom in my district was given a leveled library. I created book sets with many of these new books. This campaign was about engagement so not only did I create sets based on topic for knowledge/vocabulary growth, I also chose books based on high-interest characters.

Here’s what I recommend doing:

1. Look through your books and see what topics stand out to you. Can you group your existing library into collections on the same theme, topic, or character?

2. After you’ve identified groups, look through your books to see if the texts are linked topically and present opportunities to build knowledge and vocabulary. Are there tier 3 words that are in common? Are there tier 2 words or concepts that will be reinforced through reading the linked texts? A guiding question for you can be “What content will my students learn by reading this set of books together?” or “How will students be able to access higher level texts if they read these topic-based sets?”

3. Put the books together in baskets, tubs, or Ziploc bags.  Ideally, the books in your sets will be at a variety of levels. Students can access the increasingly more difficult texts in the sets because they will have learned the vocabulary from the easier levels.

4. This can be done in stages.  You don’t need to create all of your sets before you get started.  As a first grade teacher, I started by creating sets of books from my leveled C-F books.

5. Introduce the book baskets to your class.  Tell your students they will be able to pick the sets they are interested in and become experts on a topic or character.

Book Baskets in My Classroom

This project created 3 positive changes to independent reading time in my classroom:

1. Students are accessing harder books in book baskets because of their knowledge and vocabulary learning in the text sets. By reading texts that are linked, they are building their knowledge of the topic and thus able to easily access more complex texts than they had been doing previously.

2. Students have choice. They choose the book basket they want to read and they choose the individual books they read during independent reading time.  My students have always had choice but in the past it was after they had spent time in “their level” of books.

3. Students don’t know their level.  This was a goal of mine when I began this project.  When asked why they chose a certain book or book basket, I did not want anyone to tell me it was because it was “their level.” Thanks to this project my students are now saying things like, “I chose this book basket because I love cats;” “Fly Guy makes me laugh;” or “My friend told me I would like it so I am trying it.”

Student Reaction to Book Baskets

Student motivation has never been higher. Students are eager to choose books and book baskets. One student suggested creating a sign-up list for the sets since students are anxious to get their hands on certain popular sets! They are excited when it is independent reading time and they get started right away sustaining their reading for 30 minutes. I remember one of my students being so excited about what he accomplished that he shouted to the whole room “Can you believe I read 21 pages?!” after reading about sea life – a topic of his choosing. Another of my students really loves books about Danny the Dog and asked if he could stay in at recess to search the classroom library to see if he could find any other books about Danny to add to our set.

When I look across my class during independent reading time, their eyes are on their books and they are silent or whisper reading. To really know if they are engaged, I have increased talking about books. The students get a chance to share what they read, what they learned from their book, what they enjoyed and why. I believe if they can talk about their reading, they are truly engaged with the work.  They want to share their learning and enjoyment with their friends. My students frequently want to recommend their favorites to their friends, and read aloud to me to show their skills. And they’re right to be proud – many of my students can read books above their level with ease now.

A student writing down new vocabulary she learns as she reads.

Final Thoughts

All of my students, including my reluctant readers, were motivated, enthusiastic, and became better readers because of this campaign. It is now part of the culture in my classroom for students to have choice in what they read during independent reading time. I plan to continue using book baskets. When students finish a set, they choose a new one.  I offer suggestions of topics they might be interested in reading and often they have a new set in mind based on peer recommendations. My students have read many of the sets already, so I will be putting more sets together (using the higher levels in my leveled library) as well as purchasing a few new books.  I have a student who is requesting a text set about sharks and a child who is really interested in wild cats. Their enthusiasm makes me excited to create sets on topics I know they want to read.

About the Author: MJ D’Amelio is a first grade teacher in Anacortes, Washington. MJ holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Child Development, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Teacher Leadership certificate from the University of Washington. MJ is a Student Achievement Partner Washington State Core Advocate and is continuously seeking to better her classroom instruction and support teachers.

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How to Create Book Baskets - Peers and Pedagogy

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I teach first grade in Anacortes, Washington and my district recently adopted a popular balanced literacy curriculum. I have had wonderings and discussions with colleagues about students reading “at their level” and what this means for our struggling readers. I wondered how my struggling readers wou…

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Podcast & blog series following shifts- Casey Jergens (KG/G1 teacher

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Podcast & blog series following shifts- Casey Jergens (KG/G1 teacher

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Melissa & Lori Love Literacy Episode 142- Casey with Natalie Wexler

Putting the Structure in Structured Literacy

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G1-2 (look at inspired by slide deck for more details)

G2-3

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Shanahan on Organizing Daily Literacy Instruction

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Shanahan on Organizing Daily Literacy Instruction

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Get the basics on how to create classroom text sets that support content-area literacy and building background knowledge.

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Learning shouldn't feel like a test, especially in kindergarten! But how can you assess what your young students are grasping without resorting to boring worksheets? Here's the secret: formative assessment can be fun and engaging, all while giving you valuable insights into their progress.

In the kindergarten context, formative assessments are more than just asking questions. It entails easy-to-follow activities that involve moving, collaborating, and creative thinking. Instead of dreading assessment day, your students will be excited to participate in these interactive learning checks!

What is Formative Assessment for Kindergarten?

Formative assessment is all about checking in with your students regularly to see what they understand and where they might need a little extra help. It's different from a test; it can be anything from quick quizzes with fun answer choices to engaging games and activities that reinforce concepts. Formative assessments are ongoing and helps guide your teaching, rather than just measure learning at the end. It also helps teachers identify areas where students excel and where they might need a little extra support. But most importantly, it allows students to receive immediate feedback and feel engaged in their learning journey.

Why are Formative Assessment Examples for Kindergarten Important?

Traditional assessments can feel intimidating for young learners, especially in kindergarten. Formative assessment, on the other hand, flips the script by making learning a fun and interactive experience. But the benefits go far beyond just keeping things playful. Here's how formative assessment can truly transform your kindergarten classroom:

Tailored Instruction: Formative assessment acts as a map, providing real-time insights into each student's learning journey. Teachers can see what concepts students grasp and where they might need a little extra help. With this valuable information, you can ditch the "one-size-fits-all" approach and tailor your lessons to meet the specific needs of each child. This means more targeted practice for those who need it and exciting challenges for those who are ready to move ahead.

Confidence Boost: Learning is an adventure, and formative assessment is like having built-in cheerleaders along the way. Quick checks, playful activities, and positive feedback during formative assessments let students know they're on the right track. This constant encouragement creates a sense of accomplishment and builds confidence in their abilities. When students feel confident, they become more engaged learners, eager to take risks, explore new ideas, and reach their full potential.

Early Intervention: Sometimes, even the brightest stars need a little extra guidance. Formative assessment allows you to identify areas where a student might be struggling before those struggles become a bigger obstacle. This early detection is crucial and by catching challenges early on, you can provide targeted support and get students back on track quickly. This not only prevents frustration and keeps students motivated, but also ensures they have a strong foundation for future learning.

So, ditch the boring test; here are 25 formative assessment examples for kindergarten classrooms that are guaranteed to be engaging, and most importantly, fun!

Keep It Short and Sweet with Quick Checks

Forget paper tests and long quizzes. These quick checks are all about keeping things short while providing immediate feedback in a way that keeps kindergarteners excited to learn.

1. Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

This classic quick check is an easy way to gauge the overall understanding of a concept. Simply pose a question and ask students to hold up their thumbs - thumbs up for "yes, I get it!" and thumbs down for "not quite yet." This quick visual check allows you to see how the class is doing as a whole and identify any areas that might need some clarification.

Pro Tip: For another engaging alternative, conduct this activity usingQuick Polls on ClassPoint. Great for digital classrooms or physical classes that needed more participation!

2. Show Me the Answer

Get your students moving with this interactive quick check. Pose a question and have students respond with a physical movement that represents the answer. For example, if you're teaching about shapes, ask "Who can show me a circle with their arms?" or if you're reviewing numbers, ask "How many jumps does it take to get to the number 3?" This kinesthetic approach keeps students engaged and helps solidify their understanding through movement.

3. Exit Tickets

At the end of a lesson, have students draw a quick picture, write a simple sentence on a piece of paper, or do a Word Cloud activity to describe their day in one word and to represent what they learned. This quick snapshot allows you to assess individual understanding and identify any lingering questions students might have.

4. Choral Response

Learning through repetition can be incredibly effective. Turn key concepts into catchy chants or rhymes and have students repeat them together. This not only reinforces understanding but also creates a sense of community and shared learning in the classroom.

5. Quick Games

Who says learning can't be a game? Quick games are a fantastic way to assess skills in a pressure-free environment. Try playing "Roll and Say" where students roll a dice and answer a question based on the number they land on, or create a simple bean bag toss game where students have to answer a question before tossing the beanbag.

Pro Tip: Ditch the physical and do everything online by using ClassPoint'sinteractive quiz feature to create a digital "Roll and Say" game. Then, use the Embedded Browser to pull a random dice rolling website directly into your presentation.

Hands-On Activities for Fun Learning

We all know kindergarteners learn best through play, but the good news is that playtime can be an opportunity to conduct formative assessments. By observing how students interact with materials and engage in pretend play, you can gain valuable insights into their understanding of various concepts.

6. Building Blocks

Don't underestimate the power of a simple block tower! Building with blocks helps develop math concepts like spatial reasoning and early geometry. Observe how students stack blocks, create shapes, and balance structures. This can reveal their understanding of size comparison, symmetry, and problem-solving skills.

7. Sorting Games

Sorting games are more than just fun - they're a fantastic way to assess categorization and critical thinking skills. Provide students with a variety of objects and ask them to sort them by color, size, shape, or function. Observe their sorting strategies and reasoning behind their choices.

8. Matching Games

Matching games are a classic for a reason! They're an engaging way to reinforce letter/number recognition and visual discrimination skills. Whether it's matching uppercase and lowercase letters, matching numbers and their corresponding quantities, or matching objects by category, these games allow you to assess students' grasp of these key foundational concepts.

Pro Tip: Digitize these matching games straight on your PowerPoint slides with ClassPoint'sDraggable Objects feature, where you can easily drag and drop pictures, symbols, and more!

9. Playdough Creations

Playdough isn't just for sculpting silly shapes - it's a fantastic tool for developing fine motor skills and imagination. Observe how students manipulate the play dough, create shapes, and use various tools. This can reveal their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and ability to follow instructions.

10. Dramatic Play

Dramatic play is a goldmine for observing social skills and communication skills. As students engage in pretend play scenarios, watch how they negotiate roles, share materials, and express themselves through language. This provides valuable insight into their ability to collaborate, resolve conflicts, and use their imaginations.

Learning Through Creative Expression

Learning is a blast when students can show their artistic flair! You can gain valuable insights into their knowledge and thought processes by encouraging students to express their understanding through creative outlets.

11. Drawings/Diagrams

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially for young learners who are still developing their writing skills. Provide students with opportunities to draw pictures or diagrams to represent what they've learned. This can be anything from illustrating a scientific concept to depicting the characters in a story. Observe their drawings to assess their understanding of key details and concepts.

Pro Tip: Using a Touch Board or Promethean in your classroom? Save paper by using a built-in whiteboard on your presentation slides with ClassPoint's Presentation Tools or conduct aSlide Drawing activity.

12. Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool for developing communication skills, sequencing, and imagination. Encourage students to tell stories individually or in groups, either based on a prompt or from their own creativity. Pay attention to how they order events, use descriptive language, and express themselves creatively through their narratives.

13. Singing Songs

Learning through music is always a hit! Incorporate age-appropriate songs and rhymes that reinforce concepts you're teaching in the classroom. Observe how students participate, remember the lyrics, and connect the songs to the learning objectives. Singing can be an exciting way to assess their understanding in a relaxed and enjoyable way.

Pro Tip: Distance-learning kindergarten students can still sing along in class with tools like ClassPoint'saudio record feature.

14. Simple Crafts

Simple arts and crafts activities like cutting, pasting, or decorating provide opportunities to develop fine motor skills. Observe how students manipulate materials, use tools safely, and follow instructions to complete the craft. This can reveal their fine motor skills, ability to focus, and understanding of sequential steps.

15. Movement Activities

Students shouldn't be confined to desks to learn. Get your students moving with fun activities that assess motor skills and their ability to follow instructions. Create movement games that involve following directions, imitating actions, or responding to cues. Observe their coordination, balance, and ability to follow instructions in a dynamic way.

Collaborative Learning for Playful Progress

Learning doesn't happen in isolation! Collaborative learning activities allow students to work together, share ideas, and build on each other's knowledge. This not only fosters social skills and communication but also provides valuable opportunities for formative assessment.

16. Think-Pair-Share

This classic strategy promotes critical thinking and communication. Pose a question and have students think about the answer individually (Think). Then, pair them up to discuss their ideas and share their perspectives (Pair). Finally, bring the class together and have each pair share their insights with the whole group (Share). Observe how students explain their thinking, listen to their peers, and build upon each other's ideas.

Pro Tip: Give everyone an equal chance to pair up by using arandom name picker. This way, every student has the opportunity to get to know all their classmates.

17. Gallery Walks

Transform your classroom into an art gallery! Have students showcase their work on a project or activity around the room. Then, organize a "gallery walk" where students circulate and observe each other's work. Encourage them to ask questions, provide constructive feedback, and leave comments on sticky notes. Observe their communication skills as they interact and share their learning journeys with classmates.

18. Group Projects

Working together on a project is a fantastic way to develop collaboration, problem-solving skills, and a sense of shared responsibility. Provide students with a central theme or challenge and allow them to work together to plan, create, and present their projects. Observe their teamwork, communication, and ability to delegate tasks as they work towards a common goal.

Pro Tip: You can gamify group discussions byawarding stars and points for participation, keeping students motivated and engaged.

19. Role-Playing

Role-playing provides a safe space for students to practice social skills in a playful way. Create scenarios that involve taking turns, negotiating, resolving conflicts, and expressing oneself appropriately. Observe how students interact in their assigned roles, communicate effectively, and navigate social situations.

20. Jigsaw Activities

Jigsaw activities turn students into "experts" on a topic. Divide the learning material into smaller chunks and assign each student (or small group) a section to become an expert on. Students then come together to teach each other what they've learned (jigsaw). This collaborative approach allows you to assess their understanding of their assigned topic as well as their ability to communicate effectively with their peers.

Pro Tip: Effortlessly divide your classroom into groups on PowerPoint using ClassPoint'sGrouping function.

Observation and Reflection for Learning Growth

Just by watching your students at play and during routines, you can gain a wealth of information about their learning and development. Observation is a powerful tool for formative assessment, allowing you to see firsthand how students interact with their environment, solve problems, and apply new concepts. Here are some ways to harness the power of observation in your classroom:

21. Play Observation

Free play time is a treasure trove of learning opportunities! Observe how students interact during play, share materials, negotiate, and resolve conflicts. This can reveal their social skills, communication skills, and problem-solving strategies.

22. Self-Assessment Tools

Use simple self-assessment tools like smiley faces, checklists, or rubrics to encourage students to reflect on their own learning. Observe how they evaluate their progress, identify areas for improvement, and set personal learning goals.

23. Circle Time Participation

Pay attention to how students participate in circle time activities, listen attentively to instructions and stories, and raise their hands to contribute to discussions. This provides insight into their listening skills, ability to follow group expectations, and comfort level in participating in whole-class activities.

Pro Tip: Don't let the shy kids get left behind! Follow these expert tips onhow to engage shy students effectively in the classroom.

24. Individual Check-Ins

Schedule brief, informal check-ins with students throughout the day. Ask them simple questions about their learning, answer any questions they might have, and provide encouraging words. Observe their communication skills, comfort level discussing their learning, and ability to articulate their needs.

25. Daily Activities

Observe students' independence, ability to follow directions, and social skills during classroom procedures and routines like lining up, putting away materials, completing morning work, cleaning up their workspace, and participating in circle time activities. This reveals their organization skills, attention to detail, ability to manage themselves in a structured environment, listening skills, and comfort level participating in whole-class activities.

Ready for more formative assessment fun? Check out these additional guides onformative assessment examples for math as well as questions to assess science skills!

Level Up the Fun: Bringing Technology into Formative Assessment for Kindergarten

While hands-on activities and creative expression reign supreme in kindergarten, technology can be a powerful tool to enhance and elevate your playful formative assessments. Here's how EdTech can seamlessly integrate into your assessment strategies:

Interactive Games and Apps

Educational apps and game-based learning platforms like Prodigy as well as ClassPoint's gamification and quiz mode features can make formative assessments more interactive.

Look for apps that align with your learning objectives and incorporate features like badges and leaderboards as well as the ability to turn multiple-choice questions into interactive quizzes with auto-grading and points to keep students motivated. Use these games as quick checks for understanding, allowing students to practice skills in a fun and pressure-free environment.

Digital Storytelling and Presentations

Instead of traditional written reports (not recommended for kindergarteners yet!), explore digital storytelling tools, with parental supervision of course. These allow students to record their voices, add pictures or videos, and create short interactive presentations to showcase their learning. This not only assesses their understanding of concepts but also develops their communication skills and digital literacy.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

While these technologies might seem advanced for kindergarten, there are age-appropriate AR/VR apps and experiences emerging. These immersive experiences can enhance learning and provide unique opportunities for formative assessment through observation and student engagement.

Need trusted EdTech suggestions to amplify your formative assessment for kindergarten classes? Check out thesetop 6 tools to make these playful assessments more interactive.

Final Thoughts

Forget the dread of traditional testing and embrace the world of formative assessment in your kindergarten classroom. With a variety of these activities, from quick checks and hands-on play to creative expression and collaborative learning, you can keep your students excited about learning while gaining valuable insights into their progress. By making learning more dynamic and interactive, you're setting your students up for success in kindergarten and beyond.

And don't forget the power of technology! With tools like ClassPoint, you can transform formative assessment into a gamified experience, making it even more thrilling for your young learners.

Now that you're armed with these playful formative assessment examples, get ready to transform your classroom into a place of discovery, exploration, and, of course, fun!

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25 Engaging Formative Assessment Examples For Kindergarten | ClassPoint

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Ditch boring tests! These 25 formative assessment examples for kindergarten make learning fun & engaging while gauging student progress.

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