READING/WRITING/SPELLING

Question

How do you go about assessing a new student to determine her/his reading/writing/spelling levels?

Answer 1

Test them separately on all three. Give them a paragraph to read (with medium difficulty for their age), plus a few spelling questions. Then give them two or three topics and ask them to write a paragraph.

Answer 2

Assessing a student's level of writing can be done by having them write two types of writing, formal and informal. I like to first direct students to describe something they enjoy and with this assess basic skills. I then direct the student to write about a more formal, structured subject using what they have learned in the past about writing. The formal written piece is used to understand how deeply a student can also be used to evaluate basic skills but can also reveal more weaknesses. In addition, as writing assessment is ongoing, I feel it is important for students to learn to be comfortable with writing in general before we tackle larger projects, and to teach a few skills at a time before introducing more.

Answer 3

Hello There!

In order to determine an accurate reading, writing, or spelling level on any student, it is important to use diagnostic measures that will result in objective information that can determine a specific starting point, rather than a "best guess." In my work, I always administer a full phonics assessment, a short comprehension measure such as the Qualitative Reading Inventory, and an oral reading fluency assessment, using both the QRI and DIBELS, or measures from the research-based reading fluency program, "Read Naturally." Many times, the phonics inventories will have a spelling component embedded within. If so, I use this to determine a starting point for my students. When it comes to spelling, it is much more important to obtain a developmental level rather than a grade level. This way, a tutor or teacher can see exactly where the breakdown in encoding is occurring. Does a child consistently misspell words with a silent "e" at the end ,or do they struggle to spell two syllable words with open vowel sounds in the first syllable? Knowing the particular rules or patterns a student hasn't yet fully grasped, can help to avoid wasting time on what is already known. Writing levels are often tricky to ascertain, as evaluation can't help but be subjective in nature. By using vetted writing rubrics, a tutor or teacher can base his/her scores on a set of universal writing standards. I love looking at students' writing! It is often a window into who they are. I hope this has been helpful. Thank you for such an excellent question that can be helpful to many! Beth

Answer 4

I agree that the best way to evaluate a student's reading level is by reading something. I start with something easy and then progressively make it more difficult until I find the reading level. I ask the student to use unfamiliar words in sentences, after I provide a definition. Then we can play a spelling game, like hangman or snowman to see what the student can spell. A student who is able to read and spell will then be able to answer questions about the reading selection and can write them for me. This is a fun way for the student to be assessed!

Answer 5

I usually begin by having the student read something to me with which s/he is already familiar, as well as asking for a writing sample on a topic of their choosing. Following that, I determine whether or not the student is familiar with the names of the letters of the alphabet and the sounds of each letter [and combinations of letters]. I go through both informal and formal assessments, along with evaluating each student’s ability to form sentences, level of vocabulary used, and proofreading of their writing. I also teach organization skills and test-taking skills. Of course, each of these skills is measured by their current age and grade level. From this evaluation, I create an individualized report with percentage levels and age equivalents, which gives me a clearer picture of your child’s present level of performance and a place to start the tutoring process.