Artifact Reflection

Title of Artifact: Algebra Chapter Test

Date Completed: December 2014
Artifact Description
The artifact is an Algebra test that I modified for my special education students.
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment
The artifact primarily aligns with Standard 8 Assessment: teachers know how to test
for student progress, which states, The teacher understands and uses formal and
informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual,
social, and physical development of the pupil.
The artifact is important because it shows my ability to assess students in my
special education classroom. Assessments is very important in learning. As
teachers, we need to be able to know how to appropriately assess our students to
make sure that they are learning. If they are not, we need to make adjustments to
make sure learning is happening.
In my Algebra lessons, I am very good at asking my students informal assessment
questions. What is the answer? How did you get the answer? Walk me through the
steps of this problem. Explain how we can solve this problem in two different ways.
These are a few of the questions I ask when I am teaching a lesson. If students are
not able to answer my questions, I need to go back to the instruction I am providing
and adjust it until students are able to understand it. It may mean that I need to
take multiple steps back if students dont understand the basic concepts that will
help them understand a lesson.
The exam shows my formal assessment abilities. I created this exam, keeping in
mind that my students in my resource room because of their struggles in math. The
problems are the most important problems I felt needed to be assessed. I also
formatted the test in a way that would be most efficient and easy to understand for
the students.
UWP Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment
The artifact primarily aligns with standard KSD1.f, Assesses student learning, which
states, The candidate understands, is committed to, and can develop assessments
that are clearly stated and congruent with instructional goals. The students are
aware of how they are meeting the established standards and are involved in the
goal setting process.
The artifact aligns with this standards because I was able to create a test for my
students. The test was created in a way that was clear to students as to what they
were doing. The test aligned with Algebra state standards. When students
complete the exam, I provide clear feedback on their grade and where they went
wrong with problems.
Secondary Alignment:
1. KSD3.b Uses questioning and discussion techniques

2. KSD3.d Provides feedback to students

3. KSD4.b Maintains accurate records
What I learned about teaching/learning from this experience:
Through reflecting on this standard, I learned that it is very important to check for
understanding. As teachers, we need to be sure students are learning. In order to
do that, we assess for understanding. Because we cannot wait until we are all the
way through a lesson to give a test and determine understanding, we should be
informally checking for understanding by doing things such as questioning.
What I learned about myself as a prospective educator as a result of this
experience/artifact:
I learned that I am very good at questioning. I really enjoy questioning and giving
the students the opportunity to express their knowledge. If students do not get the
opportunity to model their learning, it may not happen. It is always beneficial to
have students explain their understanding so that we can check to see if that
understanding is accurate.