It’s been about five months since your little learners first entered the classroom. Together you have trekked through the world of fun, foundational learning with lessons that involved identifying shapes, learning to count, cooperating with others, and building crucial motor skills needed for writing.
Though it may feel like you just got started, the middle of the school year is here. That means it’s time to informally assess your preschoolers’ knowledge of important foundational concepts and ensure they are on track to finish the year fully prepared for kindergarten.
The purpose of Pre-K assessments is not only to gain an understanding of how well your students have grasped the material that you have taught, but to determine whether you should alter instruction methods or lessons for the coming months.
Unlike the assessments taken by students at higher grade levels, Pre-K assessments are informal and should only take 10-15 minutes and use language and formats that young students can understand. You should also be able to take the information you learn about your students and communicate results with families.
Here are a few steps you can take to start the Pre-K assessment process and make sure you and your students get the most out of it:
- Familiarize yourself with the Pre-K assessments that you plan to use. The best assessments should provide an informal, yet comprehensive examination of each of the key areas of development. If you need extra guidance on how to properly administer assessments, you can watch our free Pre-K Assessments webinar on-demand.
- Determine a good day and time for administering the assessments. It will only take a few minutes to administer, so you don't need to take a big chunk out of discovery play!
- Make sure you have the correct writing utensils. You will want to use materials that properly suit the fine motor skills of beginning letter learners. Crayons are best for Pre-K students. FLIP Crayons® promote the proper pencil grip as they are small enough for children to hold and not use an awkward grip.
- Assess your students! Our pre-k assessments evaluate the areas of writing, language, literacy, and math to ensure that each of the most important skills are covered.
- Alter your upcoming lessons accordingly. After you discover which areas your students are excelling in and which areas need more work, create your remediation strategy.
- Share your students’ progress with their families! It’s important to continue to foster school-to-home connections throughout the year. This way both you and your students will successfully meet your goals.
You’re all set to finish your journey of fun, foundational learning and give your students everything they need to be prepared for kindergarten. Stay tuned for more tips and resources to make the most out of the final half of the school year.