Summative Assessment Examples: Discovering America Unit
Below are some examples of summative assessments that could be used following a unit on early explorers of the Americas. These assessments assume that students have already read/experienced the following:
These assessments are examples and are specific to this type of unit. However, they are representative of how a teacher could assess student literacy in several different modes of communication after the completion of a unit. The reflection paper on the left assesses student comprehension, writing and integration of unit specific vocabulary. In order to successfully articulate answers to the essential questions posed, students will need to have some level of understanding (literacy) with the topic so that they can argue their stance on those questions. The rubric on the right is for the major group assessment from the unit. This assessment is a mock trial activity during which students are assigned to the prosecution of defense of Columbus' actions as "hero or scoundrel." Through their participation in this activity, students are required to use their listening, speaking and representing modes of communication to articulate their understanding of data and to successfully argue their point in the trial. Again, students must be literate in the subject matter in order to create visuals that support their point and in order to argue their points in the trial itself.
Below are some examples of summative assessments that could be used following a unit on early explorers of the Americas. These assessments assume that students have already read/experienced the following:
- United States History text chapters on exploration of the Americas
- Primary source documents of letters from Columbus to the King and Queen of Spain and other supporters
- Viewing of Library of Congress Online Exhibit - 1492: An Ongoing Voyage (http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/1492.exhibit/Intro.html)
These assessments are examples and are specific to this type of unit. However, they are representative of how a teacher could assess student literacy in several different modes of communication after the completion of a unit. The reflection paper on the left assesses student comprehension, writing and integration of unit specific vocabulary. In order to successfully articulate answers to the essential questions posed, students will need to have some level of understanding (literacy) with the topic so that they can argue their stance on those questions. The rubric on the right is for the major group assessment from the unit. This assessment is a mock trial activity during which students are assigned to the prosecution of defense of Columbus' actions as "hero or scoundrel." Through their participation in this activity, students are required to use their listening, speaking and representing modes of communication to articulate their understanding of data and to successfully argue their point in the trial. Again, students must be literate in the subject matter in order to create visuals that support their point and in order to argue their points in the trial itself.