Classroom Assessment Tools

Posted by Douglas Parker Jan 6, 2008

Since differentiating, or modifying instruction can be one of the most difficult components of any instant classroom assessment of gifted children, keeping track of each child’s progress along a set of competencies and remembering individual student’s learning styles becomes extremely important. Even harder than that is knowing when they have mastered one skill set and are ready to develop another. A tool that can be used to help with this as well as serve many other assessment purposes is a Key Ring Card File. This was developed because as teachers we were finding it very hard to remember what tools the students were using to help themselves learn, and what parts of learning were giving them trouble. We needed to find a way to make note of all the changes that were going on for each individual student that was both easy do and readily available at all times. Many of us used our grade books, but they could become clumsy at times. The recording tool needed to be portable and simple, and the Key Ring Card File fit the bill. I personally used it and it made my job that much easier and it made me a more effective teacher.

What is a Key Ring Card File? Basically it is a 1 or 2 inch circular key ring that has index cards with holes punched in them attached to it. Use the sticky round support circles tabs to make the holes stronger. Each card has a student’s name on it and comments about him or her. As more comments are recorded more cards can be added. The Key Ring Card File is small enough to be carried around while you observe the students working and when you are conferencing with the student to use more effective learning techniques.