We recently finished some standardized testing and this is proof that no test created by an adult will ever truly measure the intellect and creativity of a five year old:
Test- Word Usage -Student is supposed to listen to the word spoken by the teacher and then use it in a sentence. Answers are scored by number of words used, but pay attention here to the difference not only in words used, but meaning conveyed. By the way, our reports only show the numerical score!
Student #1- I can play in the front yard.
Student #2- The front is the part inside the door.
Student #3- I like to be in the front.
Student#4- The engine is in the front of the vehicle and when it starts it goes fast.
Test- Nonsense Words- Student sounds out three letters and then says the “word” even though it isn’t a real word.
ful- Student correctly sounded the letters, f-u-l, then said, “Thursday”
mik- Student correctly sounded the letters, m-i-k, then said, “mop”
zoc- Student looks, “Well that’s a silly word. Zak! Why does it say zak?” BTW-This is a timed, one-minute test! Lol
Test- Recognize as many random letters of the alphabet as possible, in one minute.
Student- “That would be A, that one is F, let me see, uh, that one is Q, no, no, it’s P, that would be R….”
Test- Initial Sound- Student looks at pictures, teacher says the name of each picture, and then teacher asks “Which picture begins with…?”
Picture: footprints. Student response to “Which picture begins with F?”: “See when someone takes something from your house you follow these and then you catch him and make him give it back!”
Picture: sofa. Student response to “Which picture begins with S?”: couch. (Three students said this even though I said sofa. Now obviously they heard the sound I said, but had to translate it to the word they use for the same object!)
Picture: dime. Student response to “Which picture begins with D?”: quarter. (Four students had this response.)
I could go on….LOL
I would count some of those, maybe not a year or two ago, but I would now. If the intent is to know what they know, then I count it. The thing I hate the most about ISF is that my second language kids have to hold up to four unfamilar words in their heads AND remember the initial sounds. MOST people couldn't do it in a foreign language. The intent is, can they I.D. the initial sound and differentiate.
Posted by: teach5.wordpress.com | January 22, 2010 at 08:55 AM