Blast! A Game or Assessment?

Blast!

I don't know how January is at your school, but our month is FULL of testing! We're wrapping up our mid-year F&P Benchmark Assessment, starting MAP (NWEA) testing, and report cards (including I.E.P. Progress Reports) are due next week.

My students are hanging in there, but I've fielded many sad, longing glances when I visit classrooms to pick up and don't stay. We've had  a few pep talks, like "you already had your turn, remember?" Lots of hugs, handshakes, and high fives. 

So today I stopped in needing to capture a snapshot of how my students were blending CVC and CCVC words for their I.E.P. goals/objectives. This is a slightly below grade-level skill this particular small group has been working SO hard on.  I shuddered at the thought of another assessment, so I grabbed my Blast game and we played several rounds. Ten rounds to be exact, so I could easily track percentages :)

They were so excited to play and it was also a great opportunity to observe the teamwork this group has been developing.  They are like little education cheerleaders for each other - I ♥ it! The best news of all? Their scores! This was a small group of four students and they were able to independently blend the CVC words with the following accuracy: 90%, 90%, 80%, 100%!!!

Woohoo!!!

It was a nice highlight from a long day that ended in ...poop. On someone's shirt. From another student. That's not my favorite parent call to make :(

Have a wonderful week!