Using the clickers to support formative assessments

I use the clickers daily in my classroom.  The students continue to be more engaged in their learning and I find the collected data to be very helpful in guiding my instruction. 
After our last session I wanted to figure out a way to efficiently use the "question series" format.  We have been doing several MAP math practice sets of questions.  With the first two I used the clickers with the whole class and we went through one question at a time looking at the data together as a group.  They were very interested in the bar graphs that displayed their choices and we had great discussions as we reviewed.  They were very excited and motivated when we had 100% agreement.  However, this takes a lot of time.  So, I decided I would make up the question series and keep it short and simple on my prep end.  All I did was write question 1-8 and then I put in the correct answer choices.  The students were able to enter their answers very quickly once they completed their work on paper.  I loved the data that I received after I exported it to the excel spreadsheet!  Now my groupings and focus for my next review lessons are at my fingertips!  As we continue to practice over the next several weeks I plan to do this again.  I will save these flip charts with the questions for next year, as we will probably use these same review assessments again.  I found it very easy to look at a copy of the practice assessment while I looked at the excel data.  

I will need support with saving the flip charts, because I no longer see the directions page that I created.  I do have the results, though.  

Symmetry

We have really enjoyed having the clickers in our classroom.  The children enjoy getting them out and on their desk as a part of their morning routine.  We have used them to do a variety of things in our room each day.  Making decisions has become a very democratic process that can take place quickly and efficiently.  Of course the kids want to vote on everything, now!  :)  They have also made working on study guides, answering math questions, and participating in interactive web sites something they all participate in actively for all questions and activities.  I observe an increase in interest, focus and use of time!

Our math lesson on symmetry was enhanced with the clickers.  The students cut out shapes to fold in order to strengthen their understanding of lines of symmetry.  Then we responded with a number indicating how many lines of symmetry each shape had.  The graphs provide great immediate feedback. 

 

Forums on the Moodle

I am using my classroom moodle to set up forums for my students.  I want the students to work on constructed response types of questions for communication arts.  They have the opportunity to participate in the forums and answer questions about books that they have read in guided reading groups.  The Tungsten tests have passages that all of the students have read.  Therefore, I created and included a constructed response question that the entire class can respond to and discuss. 

The Question and Answer format requires that the students write a response before they are allowed to see and read their classmates!  This ensures that each student is doing their own thinking!

Below are screen shots of some of the forums from my moodle.

The moodle forums offer an interactive way to practice constructive response questions in third grade!  The students have been very motivated to be a part of the forums!  I do plan to continue this type of activity and discussion throughout the rest of the year.  Students enjoy sharing and reading their classmates answers and thoughts. 

They seemed to really notice where they needed to revise and edit when we shared on the white board!  Having an audience will hopefully motivate the students to work up to their greatest potential!  Student responses can also be printed out to include in their notebooks or display.

There are endless possibilities with the forum....I know the students would enjoy being the leader of the discussions as well.