Content Management System Assessment 2.0

The formative assessment I have created is called, Explaining Multi-Digit Subtraction with Puzzled Penguin. I’ve designed this  assessment using the content management system, Schoology. The question presented to the students in the assessment is created based on the Common Core State Standard: CCSS.Math.Content.3.NBT.A.2  “Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.” This formative assessment not only helps me to understand where my students are at as they work to master the CCSS that aligns with this assessment, but I can also use it to help me guide my student as they learn to clearly explain their thinking.  

It was created using the discussion feature on Schoology. The students are very familiar with this type of communication and the Schoology platform which reduces the risk of technology getting in the way of the learning.  I decided to use an activity that is featured often throughout my district’s math curriculum called Puzzled Penguin. The Puzzled Penguin activities always feature a penguin who has made mistakes in the math work. Puzzled Penguin problems require students to identify mistakes, use strategies to correctly solve the problem, and explain their mathematical thinking. These activities are typically completed in the student’s math workbook, but that method does not make the most of this important activity.

The ability to take this activity out of the math book by using a digital tool allows students to collaborate with one another and be exposed to other ideas or methods of solving the problem.  By being able to read the work of other students, after they have posted, the kids can continue to develop their mathematical explanations which is a focus area for many of my students through providing one another with meaningful feedback that is guided by a familiar 3-2-1 structure which you can view below.

3-2-1 Feedback 3: Give three compliments 2: Give two suggestions 1: Ask one question

Schoology also allows me to give private feedback on each child’s discussion post. As I formulate each child’s feedback I am able to identify the skills that they have mastered and the skills that need more time and attention.  Another reason that Schoology was  a great fit for my assessment is because it is the content management system that is used in my district so kids and parents are familiar with it and my younger kids are able to gain experience using the tool before they are officially using it to receive and manage  grades in 4th grade. 

The design of this assessment was guided by my Rubric 4.0 which outlines the criteria that I previously identified as being important to effective assessments. In the chart below, I have described how this assessment fits into each of the criteria.

Criterion	Schoology – Puzzled Penguin Assessment Connection
Relevant Questions	The question presented to the students is created based on the Common Core State Standard: CCSS.Math.Content.3.NBT.A.2  “Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.”
Clarity of Questions/Expectations	The questions, expectations, and assignment format are clearly explained and are familiar to the students through the use of written directions, familiar discussion formats, and a familiar problem type.
Type of Feedback	Students receive feedback from the teacher and their peers to help them grow and expand upon their current abilities.
Self-Reflection	The students self reflect on what they did well, what challenged them, and their plan to work on the most challenging skill order to become a stronger mathematician. This self-reflection also helps me to tailor instruction based on areas that they may lack confidence in their skills.
Real-World Connections	The students are working on respectfully disagreeing with a friend. This is a real-world application of their math skills as well as working on improving their communication skills.
Variety of Test Formats	The students are working on the Schoology platform, but if they needed or wanted a different way to demonstrate their understanding such as drawing or recording their response, they could create their response using another digital tool and then upload it or post a link to the discussion forum.
Results from the test are used to drive instruction	The results are used to design further instruction for individuals, small groups, and the whole class. The teacher uses the rubric to collect data in various areas related to the concepts that need to be mastered by the end of the year.
Questions require engagement with the learned material beyond surface-level recall	In order to identify errors in thinking and explain their own problem-solving process, students are engaging with the material beyond simply solving a subtraction problem.