This week in class, we were asked to create test items to support the learning objectives created last week. I have created a few different types of test questions as well as performance assessments.

Test Items for Learning Objectives

Learning Objective #1:

                Students will recite addition and subtraction problems from flash cards with 80% accuracy.

Students will begin with 1-digit addition problems such as “2 + 3” and “5 + 1”. The teacher will show the classroom the flashcards and the students are expected to say the answers out loud as a group. The teacher will then walk around to each individual student and use the same flash cards to test the students individually.

This test is based on memorization and recitation, one of the lower level thinking skills. It should however serve as a base to move the lesson forward to learning objective 2

Learning Objective #2:

                Students will demonstrate the ability to add and subtract by completing 1-digit and 2-digit addition and subtraction problems without a calculator with 80% accuracy.

Students will be given the test, a pencil and scrap paper. The students will be asked to solve the following problems without using a calculator. The scrap paper is to be used to show work on the intermediate and advanced problems. 60% of the questions will be at the beginner level 35% will be at the intermediate level and the remaining 5% will be advanced. By placing some advanced level questions in the test intellectually advanced students could be potentially identified.

Beginners                                               Intermediate                                         Advanced           

1 + 7 =?                                                     12 + 17 =?                                               42 + -6 =?

8 – 2 =?                                                    63 – 21 =?                                               57 – 63 =?

These test questions will allow the students to apply the concepts learned during the memorization phase. Once the students have demonstrated mastery of this level of understanding (80%) they can move on to applying these skills to the real world (L.O.3)

Learning Objective #3:

                Students will apply the concepts of addition and subtraction to real world application by “buying and selling” items in the classroom “store” with 80% accuracy.

Students will be tested in pairs. One student will be the “cashier” and one student will be the “customer”. The customer student will be given a set amount of money. They are to select and purchase 3 items without going over the amount of money given; they are to tell the teacher how much the items should cost.  The cashier student is to give the customer student the correct change. The students will then switch places and complete the same task. The teacher is to observe the “transaction” and review the total and the change.

Once both transactions are complete, the students will write an essay explaining their rationale on choosing the items.

“When selecting the three items in our classroom store, why did you choose the items you did, how much money did the items cost you, and what change should you have received?”

The first portion of this test is a performance assessment. The students will be observed by the teacher performing the tasks assigned. After performing the transaction, the students thought process can be assessed through reading the essay response. The application of the skills to real world examples and explaining the rationale behind the decisions made demonstrate higher order thinking skills.

The lesson objectives and the corresponding assessments are cumulative; each builds upon the last and furthers the understanding of the concepts of addition and subtraction.