Flip Card - Formative Assessment

One quick way to check for understanding and have students reflect as they are working is by using Flip Cards. This strategy can be used in many ways throughout your lesson.  In a 1st grade classroom, the teacher used the gradual release of responsibility model.  After teaching the content on the rug, students were released back to their seats.  As soon as they got back to their seats, they flipped their card to reflect where they were in relation to the skill just taught.  Students with "I got it!" displayed got right to work.  Students with "I almost have it" and students that flipped their card to "I don't get it" were gathered on the floor for continued support and reteaching.  As the skill became more clear, students were able to leave the small group to work independently.  As students continued to work, they changed the side that was displayed that matched their understanding, helping the teacher and themselves know where they were in relation to the success criteria.  Having students self-reflect gave the teacher quick insight as to who she needed to connect with and formatively assess what they needed to be successful with the skill at hand. Remember, it is only formative assessment if and only if evidence of learning is elicited and used by the teacher and or student to inform next steps.

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