Definitions

Question 0

Define assessment as used in literacy development.

Answer 0

Assessment is the monitoring and evaluating of literacy development. Formal and informal assessment tools may be used to monitor and evaluate language and literacy skills.

Question 1

What are the parts of speech?

Answer 1

Verb - action word (run)
Predicate - action word or phrase (ran after the car)
Noun - subject or object of a sentence (Mary, table)
Pronoun - stands for a noun (he, she, it, they, we)
Preposition - connects noun or pronoun to word in sentence (on, in, of, by, through, for)
Adjective - modifies a noun (tall, strong, green)
Adverb - modifies a verb, adjective (quickly)
Conjunction (and but or) Interjection (wow)

Question 2

Describe a formal assessment.

Answer 2

Formal assessments are summative, meaning they take place after a period of learning and are designed to evaluate how well the learning is taking place. Standardized tests are a summative assessment, more useful for evaluating groups of students, and thus effectiveness of instruction, versus individual evaluation.

Question 3

Define informal assessment.

Answer 3

Informal assessments are formative. They are ongoing, classroom-based, and oriented toward individual achievements. They provide immediate, useful information. Examples include observations, reading or spelling inventories, student discussions. Research has shown student self-assessments are particularly effective in enhancing achievement by enhancing motivation.