Teaching special education students to self- assess is HARD. Visual self- assessments make it easier.
Self- assessment is a skill that everyone needs. And it actually isn’t that hard to fit it in naturally throughout the school day. Many of us are required to provide self assessments for student work in state testing portfolios (hello MCAS-ALT teachers!). Having a standard form that hits all the right areas, makes it quick and easy to start implementing this- and NOT just for state testing time.
Finding appropriate self- assessments for our students can be difficult, especially when you want to meet the needs of each students- but also still challenge them (don’t make it TOO easy!). It also can be time consuming to create them. (Which is why I am linking you to my FREE versions at the end of this post.)
KEEP THEM STREAMLINED
I like to have streamline versions that all look pretty similar. This is great to keep in mind when differentiating… that way the students can barely notice that they don’t have the same self assessment sheet that their peers do.
STATE THE GOAL
Stating the goal is a must- do for self assessment sheets. Why you may ask? Because paperwork is tricky- and if you attach it … it may become detached. Then you are left with an assessment and guessing where it came from- not good for state assessment crunch time!
LABEL AND DATE EVERYTHING
When you label and date everything… and it does become detached… it is easier to find it’s home.
USE THEM ALL YEAR LONG
PLEASE, don’t just pull these out for state assessments. This is a quality skill for our students to learn!!!! They CAN do this. It can build confidence and create life long learners- whether you are realizing it or not. Keep them familiar with the self assessments by using them all year long.
Have I convinced you yet?
Download these FREE visual self- assessment worksheets here.
