Test and Essay Items Rationale

Whenever I am trying to assess my students, I try to think about the lessons I taught or the way I demonstrated how to perform simple tasks. I make sure that I do my best to correctly communicate my expectations and purpose for what I am teaching. One thing I make sure of is that the assessment matches the skill that I taught or demonstrated. If we are learning bathroom procedures, I make sure I assess bathroom procedures. Secondly I only assess when i feel that the students have had enough exposure to the skill(s) being taught. Pre-K students sometimes need a lot of practice to master a skill, therefore, I try to give them time to practice a skill.
 The test items and essay items come from weeks of teaching and demonstrating. These are skills that are essential to life in and out of school. They are directly related to the outcomes. Since Pre-K students are not able to write formally, I allow them to verbally answer question related to the skills taught.
Since Pre-K do not require formal testing, we have a variety of ways to finding out what our students know. Through observations, pictures, and notes we are constantly watching and learning what our students can and cannot do. We also use those tools to guide our lessons to meet individual as well as the class needs.

Pre-K Learning Outcomes

Since I am a Pre-K teacher i decided to do my learning outcomes based on a Pre-K unit. The unit i chose to do is our very first unit which is the All About Me unit. This unit is based upon things students like about themselves and what it means to be a Pre-K student. I discuss with the students ways to express yourself, family, personal hygiene, and respect. These outcomes may seem simple to most but for a 4 year old this could very tough.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrates ability to care for self in hygiene and personal care activities (e.g., washing hands, blowing nose, properly using the bathroom)

           Test Item: Students will demonstrate the self care procedures for going to the restroom.

1. Demonstrates ability to manage personal belongings (e.g., puts jacket/hat away, puts completed work or papers in designated place)

           Test Item: Students will demonstrate how to proper put away belongings during morning   arrival.

1. Demonstrates ability to feed self (e.g., uses utensils for eating, uses cup for drinking).

            Test Item: Students will demonstrate proper eating habits.(This would come from a list of habits created by the students)


Essay Item: Since Pre-K students are not able to perform formal writing skills, I would ask them to answer my essay question orally.

1. Why is it important to wash your hands after playing or going to the bathroom?
2. Can you name at least three proper eating habits?(This would come from a list of habits created by the students)