Language Arts

Pre-assessments

Have the students write a paper about themselves (family, friends, hobbies, experiences). It would be something that would be fun for them to write, as a teacher you could see a little into their writing abilities and you would also be able to get to know your students better. They could also perhaps share some of their paper with the class.

I believe the KWL chart is one of the best ways to assess knowledge. This way, if every student has their, own chart, no one gets left out and does not participate. The KWL touches on three very important things. What they know, what they want to know, and, as a conclusion, what they have learned. The KWL chart therefore can be used to assess knowledge, have a certain goal in mind of what they would like to get out of the subject, and a fulfillment of that goal and a smooth conclusion of what they learned from it.

Another good idea would be to make it a game somehow. I love tricking students into thinking they are just having fun when they are really learning! Maybe having all of the students stand up and having a "knowledge" bee: the last one standing wins. This would also be a good way to let the teacher know offhand what the students know as a collective class.

Have the class write a short story together as a full class or smaller groups of maybe 5 students each. If the entire class is working together have the teacher write down each word and line as the students tell the story. Allowing the students correct the piece as they go along. Encourage the students to use abbreviations and such.