Macro Plan: Formative assessment in Mathematics

Formative tests: These tests are assessments/tools designed for learning. They are designed for the improvement in the knowledge and understanding of concepts of learners. Mathematics teaching learning requires focus on development of various skills viz. arithmetic, logical, analytical, drawing, plotting etc. A variety of formative testing tools are available which may test these desired skills.
In Mathematics students may have concept understanding difficulties resulting in conceptual errors ,may do calculation errors ,may wrongly interpret word problems etc.
All these kinds of problems are to be resolved at the right time for improving further learning. Based on the feedback of learning of students via various tools, problems of students are diagnosed .Continuing further, remedies are designed.

ASSESSMENT TOOL #1

C.W/H.W/ASSIGNMENTS:
C.W. /H.W. notebooks of students are to be assessed by the teacher in specified duration of each Formative assessment.
Following four parameters are to be taken care of:
1. Regularity: Submission on time (1 mark)
2. Maintenance/neatness (1 mark)
3. Completion of work (2 marks)
4. Correction work (if any) (1 mark)
Assignments:
Assignments are to be given in each chapter. It may include all types of questions according to the design of question paper (Multiple choice questions, Short answer type and long answer type).
Following four parameters are to be taken care of:
1. Regularity: Submission on time (1 mark)
2. Maintenance/neatness (1 mark)
3. Completion of work (2 marks)
4. Correction work (if any) (1 mark)
Note: Questions in assignments should not be a replica of questions given in the prescribed text book. The number of questions should not exceed 15.
Please Note:
Talk to students that C.W./H.W./Assignments will be assessed.
 Observe at least 4-5 class work / home work records in each Formative assessment duration

 If a child is unable to complete the work due to some reason, then give him/her time for the same.

ASSESSMENT TOOL #2

Oral test: (Class response)
It is quite a reliable formative testing tool. It focuses on testing understanding of concept, Logical thinking and speaking skills. In Mathematics children may be asked basic concepts, formulae, important results, theorems etc. The class response of students is observed while teaching learning of each unit and on the basis of observations during a period of each formative assessment students are given marks accordingly.

Some suggestive ways of conducting an oral test:
1. While teaching teacher may ask questions to students Roll No. wise and keep the record in the diary. The whole task can be distributed in the duration in which the unit is taught.
2. One day may be assigned for taking oral test. Students need to be informed before the test.
3. Oral test may be taken in the Math lab period also.
4. Teacher may initiate a discussion in the classroom on some general topics like use of Mathematics in daily life, brainstorming on the utility of contents of chapter taught, recreational Mathematics etc and observe the participation of students.

Please Note:
 Although it is quite a good tool for assessment, but at the same time it is to be kept in mind that it creates maximum anxiety in students.
 When oral assessment process is on, a teacher needs to show a high degree of patience.
 Our purpose of oral assessment is to help a child to learn and not to create any fear for learning.

ASSESSMENT TOOL#3

Pen and Paper test:
Total marks allotted for pen and paper test in each Formative assessment duration is 15 marks.
It may include classroom worksheets and class tests taken during teaching learning in each formative assessment duration. The number of classroom worksheets/class tests may vary according to the need of the chapter.

Classroom Worksheets (5 marks)
Teacher may prepare worksheets of 10 minutes duration which can be given to students either before a lesson (for testing previous knowledge) or after teaching a topic (as a recapitulation exercise).
Suggestive format for Worksheet Class Worksheet Type 1
Total No. of questions 10
4 MCQ’s
4 Fill in the blanks
2 True/False
Note: Design MCQ’s for testing understanding of concept taught, Fill in the blanks for testing arithmetical skills and true/false questions type for testing analytical and logical reasoning.
Class Worksheet Type 2
Crossword

Class test (10 marks)
Duration of each test would be 30 min to 40 min. Short answer type and long answer type questions may be asked.
Please Note:
At least one class test should be taken during one Formative assessment period.
If a good number of students do not perform well in a class test, then following remedies are suggested to
 revise the chapter and discuss problem areas
 Give some support material in the form of list of basic formulae and concepts, practice worksheets, practice tests etc.
If some selected students do not perform well, then they can be suggested to prepare well for the next test.

ASSESSMENT TOOL #4

Math activity /Math projects:

Math activities :( To be performed individually)
There are three parameters for assessing Math activities
1. File Record (4 marks)
2. Performance of activity (4 marks)
3. Viva (2 marks)

Please note:
 Each child is required to perform hands on activities as suggested by CBSE.
 Record of the same has to be maintained in a separate record file.
 Teacher is suggested to provide guidelines of performing the activities through activity sheets / a demonstration.
 Students are to be observed in Math lab while doing hands on .
 Teacher may ask questions in between related to Math concept learnt.

Math Projects: (Group work) (To be performed in a group of 3 to 4 students)
Suggestive Math projects:
1. Make a dictionary of terms in Geometry with figures. (Making a Pictorial dictionary)
2. Survey in Statistics