By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Text in italics should be read aloud to participants. As you engage your post in activities each week, please include comments, discussions, and feedback to the group relating to Character, Leadership, and Ethics. These are important attributes that make a difference in the success of youth in the workplace and in life.
Select an activity from the resources available at the Exploring Activity Library, conduct a favorite opening activity of your own, or use this one: Have participants get into groups of two or three and brainstorm ideas on: • What assessments are • Why they are important • Why teachers do assessments • How they are helpful to individuals and teachers Then have each small group share their ideas with the larger group. Use the Explorers’ knowledge to add some “food for thought” on the importance of assessments before continuing with the other activities.
Share this statement with the members of the post: “When the cook tastes the soup, that’s formative. When the guests taste the soup, that’s summative.” (Scriven, 1991)
Ask the following questions:
Select a board game. It will be more helpful if not all members of the post know how to play the game.
Organize players around the game board, and instruct them in how to play. While the game is in progress, offer hints as to how to improve play.
When the game wraps up with a winner, prepare to ask the following questions:
Display the shoelace and the Addition Quiz activity sheet.
Ask:
Be sure to leave Explorers with this important point: The assessment should match the task you are trying to assess. Match or align the task with the type of assessment.
For example, a written quiz about how to tie your shoes would be silly—and would not do a good job of assessing what students know or understand. In the same way, if we want to find out what students know about addition facts, a simple quiz might be a good way to see what they have learned.
Some sample questions are below. They are designed to help the participants apply what they have learned to their own interests. You are welcome to use these questions or develop your own questions that relate to your post or specific focus area.
The Advisor closes the meeting with a brief message that connects the meeting’s activities with the post’s area of interest and adds a note of inspiration or a positive challenge.