Samples of Evaluating Student Performance

Sample 6..........Grade 7

Curriculum Organizer: Number (Number Concepts) (Number Operations)

Learning Outcomes

It is expected that students will:

represent integers in a variety of concrete, pictorial, and symbolic ways
compare and order integers
demonstrate concretely and pictorially that the sum of opposite integers is zero
add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers concretely, pictorially, and symbolically

In addition to these outcomes the teacher will assess students':

attitudes towards mathematics
reasoning and problem-solving skills
communication skills

Planning for Assessment

Instructional strategies included individual and small-group work, as well as whole-class instruction and discussion. The teacher presented several different visual models for representing integers and invited students to bring examples of integers from the real world, for example, temperatures below and above zero, scores in games where penalty points are assessed, and altitudes above and below sea level. A record of "real-life" integer situations was posted on a chart, and students collected and added examples. Students demonstrated their understanding of the concepts by solving problems involving integers. They wrote their own integer problems, exchanged them with classmates, and solved them.

Defining Criteria

Students were given specific examples of how the teacher might know if they were working towards meeting the criteria while working on the task.

Attitudes

To what extent does the student:

show a willingness to listen to and consider the ideas of others
appreciate the application of mathematics in real-life situations

Mathematical Thinking

To what extent does the student:

demonstrate that the sum of opposite integers is zero and explain why
demonstrate and explain how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers concretely, pictorially, and symbolically
solve problems involving integers using his/her method of choice

Communication

To what extent does the student:

write problems involving integers
explain why his/her word problems are realistic
justify why the solutions are reasonable

Assessing and Evaluating Student Performance

A portfolio was kept for assessment and evaluation purposes. Students were permitted to work with a partner on most tasks, but each student was responsible for keeping a record of his/her work for each task. Teachers and students selected key samples of work to include in portfolios, which contained:

practice exercises from the textbook related to the lessons taught
four problem-solving tasks that demonstrated that the student had met the mathematical- thinking criteria
one sample of an integer word problem created by the student and solved in two different ways, which included a rationale of why the problem was realistic and why the solution was reasonable
a cover letter or summary describing the contents of the portfolio for the unit, the reason for choosing particular samples, and changes in his/her understanding

The teacher kept a record of students who had contributed to the class chart on integers. A holistic scale (not included) was developed and used to evaluate the work that was presented in student portfolios.

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Revised: October 20, 1997

BC Ministry of Education