A Unique Way to Assess – Using a Pocket Chart

I ‘m not all about testing and assessing kids. Too much time in a day is being spent testing when I think good enrichment, books, and language are important. I know assessment and testing is the current rage so that’s what we do. Don’t get me wrong I know we still have to assess, but a one day “testing” is only a snapshot of the child for that day. One way I assess is using a pocket chart and cards. I wanted to assess my kiddos in a “Blink of an Eye” and be consistent in the skill I am teaching over a duration of time.

A Unique Way To Assess- Using Pocket Charts

Before school starts I assign numbers to the kids according to alphabetical order of first or last names, do what’s best for you. (Example:1- Amy, 2- Beau) I want the kids to know a number I’ve assigned them. The number order is important because I use it all year long for everything!

The kids pick up a wallet size picture of themselves and put their picture in the pocket chart according to their number.

After the first month of school I start assessing other learning skills. The kids continue to put their picture in the pocket chart, but now I have the assessing card in the chart. They have to take out the card and either write down an answer or tell me the answer. (For example: shape cards) This is how I do it, the kids take the shape card out of the pocket chart and replace it with a picture card. Now look at the card and identify the shapes on the card. Come over to the teacher and say the names of the shapes on the card. With older kiddos they may even write the names of the shapes on paper.

Why I Love It

It’s a quick assessment can be done each day. I don’t keep track of the assessment in a record book, but I will jot down something I need to remember or want to note as an area of concern for a kiddo or a skill that I need to work on more in the classroom.

Tips and Tricks

I put the cards in the pocket chart each morning. It is one of the morning jobs the kiddos must do each day when they come to school. If the children need paper to write an answer, I have the kids write their “number” on a piece of paper, to make sure everyone has done the assessment, and it is also where I may want to jot a comment.

I laminate some the cards because they are handled so much. I keep the cards in a small file box. I put the cards in the pocket chart in random order because it is assessing the same skill. I always have plenty of paper cut up to write the answers for the assessing cards.

Pocket Chart Assessment

Like this idea but don’t want to spend the time putting it together? I have this product in my TPT store and it is also bundled in my August-September Lesson Plan Bundle. If you are interested in a quick assessment for your kiddos check this out!

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