Unit 2 Culminating / Alternate Assessment

The last 2 years, we (my teaching partner OR my students) haven't enjoyed the end of unit assessments. They are way too long, take forever to take, and take forever to grade. So this year we are trying something different.

Throughout the unit, I am taking more formative assessment grades using the Pear Decks we complete during the lesson (I have them do 2-3 on their own), the student worksheets, or Boom Cards / Quizziz during WIN (What I Need) time.

At the end of the unit, we are doing a task-based assessment. Once completed, the kids get a unit-themed snack and activity. This unit, they will get animal crackers, goldfish, Cheeto paws, and "sea water" (blue Koolaid). We will also watch Wild Kratts.

You can find this activity here!

To set up, I put the tasks in folders and printed a color-coordinated task poster to hang around the room. I set the folders next to the posters, and the kids were able to do them in any order.

I was so impressed with how they handled this! They worked so hard by themselves, hardly asked for help, and were so engaged the whole time.

The unscramble wasn't mandatory - I made that more for my higher kiddos that I knew would finish quickly. They loved the challenge! They were getting out the readers and finding words that could possibly be included.

Many students voluntarily grabbed their books and used them to help with the venn diagram. Look at them using text evidence!

We have CKLA the last 2 hours of our day, so this was a great way to end a Friday!