ADS does not use traditional letter or number grades. Assessments are helpful in guiding instruction and providing data to show growth and development. Trimester narratives include information on ongoing assessments and observations made by classroom teachers. Information about how teachers assess in each subject area is provided below.
Mathematics:
Our math program emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving skills over rote memorization of formulas and facts. It is essential that students develop a deep understanding of math concepts experientially in order to integrate and apply these skills.
In the classrooms, we use the following resources to teach mathematics in a hands-on, manipulative-based way:
- Cognitive Guided Instruction
- Bridges to Mathematics
Math Assessments:
Investigations and Bridges to Mathematics Units provide end of the Unit Assessments the students take to show mastery of the skills presented. Teachers also keep anecdotal observations of children’s questions and discoveries made during problem-solving and center activities. CGI assessments are given during the first and third trimesters to show the development of successful problem solving strategies the children use. All assessments are included in narratives and are compiled in the child’s portfolio. The portfolio is kept at the school and follows the child from one class to the next to show a complete picture of his development while at ADS.
Children in grades 3-6 also take the Mathematics TAKS test.
Literacy:
Literacy is the cornerstone of the classroom. Children express themselves by writing and are empowered by reading. It is a goal of each teacher to guide children to success in reading and writing so that new worlds will open to them and they will find lifelong love and enjoyment from literature.
The following methods and curriculum are used for our literacy program:
- R.C .Owens Learning Network
- Lucy Caulkins Units of Writing
- Guided Reading/Shared Reading
- Guided Writing/Shared Writing
- Writer’s Workshop
- Words Their Way (Spelling program)
Literacy Assessments:
Several assessment tools are available to quickly take a snapshot of a child’s literacy skills. These assessments are quick and provide information to teachers about reading levels, gaps in skills and understanding, fluency rate, and comprehension. The formal assessments given throughout the year are: TPRI, DWA, DRA, and Running Records. Words Their Way also has an assessment portion to help teachers gather information about students’ understanding of words and spelling patterns.
Students in grades 3-6 also take the Reading TAKS test.
Help Students Grow into Proficient, Confident Writers! Developing Writer’s Assessment (DWA) is an analytic writing assessment designed to help students develop as competent writers. Close, guided analysis of student writing highlights the strengths and needs of each writer. As with the DRA, teachers can use these observations to make effective instructional decisions. DWA provides all the materials you need to assess and analyze the writing ability of each child, including a Teacher Resource Book, standardized prompts, student writing materials, analysis forms, a writer’s continuum, and focus for instruction forms. With the Developing Writer’s Assessment, you can guide developing writers from Kindergarten through sixth grade, gain insight into the strengths and needs of each writer, make instructional decisions based on analysis of student writing and document each student’s writing growth over time.
DRA
The Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a series of leveled books and recording sheets designed to allow teachers to determine students’ reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension levels. DRA data are collected at the end of each trimester to determine student progress. Students are determined to be near, at, or above grade level, below grade level, or significantly below grade level based on their performance on the assessment relative to their grade level.
Science:
We use the inquiry-based FOSS Science Curriculum in all grade levels. Scientific inquiries are explored through hands-on experiments rather than textbook readings. Students are encouraged to hypothesize and use objects in their immediate environment to design and conduct experiments.
Science Assessments:
FOSS kits are aligned with the grade level TEKS. They are equipped with both skills checklists that teachers use during informal observations of children during experiments and with formal end-of-unit assessments and culminating projects/presentations. Units are intensive and lengthy. Children complete approximately 4 units in the course of a year.
Students in grade 5 are also assessed with the Science TAKS test.
Social Studies:
In Social Studies, students develop the understanding that history and social science are about real people in real places. The history of science, math, and technology as well as people and cultures are taught through interactive units of study. Research, presentation, and dramatizations play a large part in our Social Studies curriculum.
Daily class community meetings and social problem-solving of classroom situations help students experience the benefits of a democratic society and learn to take pride in their community and country through exploring their status as citizens of the world.
We use the TEKS aligned Social Studies Alive! Curriculum.
Social Studies Assessment:
Social Studies Alive! has interactive reading logs, student notebooks, and activities in which student mastery of objectives can be observed. The culmination of a unit usually produces projects in which the child can be assessed for mastery of subject matter objectives.
