GROUP+1+-+WEEK+2

Group 1 Members:
 * Betz, Rhonda
 * Bonfiglio, Karen
 * Borczon, Giselle
 * Cole, Stefanie
 * Dunne, Colleen

__**1. Use the DISCUSSION tab above to find your discussion questions and/or tasks.**__


 * //2.// // POST the selected response items created collaboratively with your discussion group here (as a group decide who will take the lead and post each item): //**
 * · ** ** 1 binary-choice assessment item **


 * Directions:** Please indicate if the statement if a fact or opinion.

1. The color of the sky is blue. 2. The boy from my class is so handsome. 3. Judy said, "I am the best dancer in the world." 4. Penguins are birds that cannot fly.


 * · ** ** 1 multiple binary-choice assessment item **


 * Directions:** Underline each noun and tell whether it is a person place, animal, or thing.

1. Some squirrels were playing nearby. 2. The boy picked up a bag. 3. He dropped nuts on the ground 4. He did not hold the food in his fingers.


 * · ** ** 1 multiple-choice assessment item **


 * Directions:** Please indicate the correct answer.

The city of Chicago is located in which state. A. Indiana B. California C. Illinois D. Florida

What is the name of the first president? A. Abraham Lincoln B. Bill Clinton C. Barack Obama D. George Washington

· ** 1 matching item **
 * Directions:** Please write the correct letter of the city on the line next the state.

Cities................... ||
 * U.S. States................... || U.S
 * _California || A. Chicago ||
 * _Texas || B. San Francisco ||
 * _Missouri || C. Seattle ||
 * _Illinois || D. New Orleans ||
 * _Washington || E. St. Louis ||
 * || F. Dallas ||

3__**. POST YOUR GROUP CONSENSUS HERE (The group leader for these 4 Short Answer activities will be the member whose middle name comes earliest in alphabetical order.):**__

Short Answer Item # 1 - flaw(s)? This questions seems to have too many blank spaces. It also includes more than one concept.

Evidence: The Constructive response PPT states that too many blanks in question will produce a "swiss cheese" affect and may confuse students. Also, according to the Writing Guidelines for Binary-Choice Assessments, we should avoid producing questions with more than one concept. It may con fuse students and then alter your results.

Short Answer Item # 2 - flaw(s)? There is a "negative" word in this question: least. The blank should also be placed at the end of the sentence for easier scoring.

Evidence: The Writing Guidelines for multiple choice assessments states that any negative should be in bold, underlined, or italicized for emphasis. Secondly, according to the Constructive response PPT, slides 11 to 13 suggest placing the blank at the end of the question or leaving space in the margin will make it easier to grade.

Short Answer Item # 3 - flaw(s)? This question should be rephrased so there is not a blank in it because of the intended grade level.

Evidence: In the Constructive response PPT, slide 6 states that direct phrasing should be used versus incomplete statements. Especially for younger children, and since this is for third graders a more appropriate question may be: According to the story "Tardy Turtle," how many years does this kind of turtle live for? Slide 6 also states that an answer should be decided on and then the question should be built around the answer.

Short Answer Item # 4 - flaw(s)? A clearer question on what document the teacher is referring to. The teacher knows which document she wants, but she/he needs to make sure that the students do as well.

Evidence: Constructive Response PPT, slide 7 states that we, as teachers should structure questions to nurture a concise response from students. The powerpoint asked us that when we create questions, we must put ourselves in the student's head and strive to anticipate how they will respond to the question.

__**4. POST YOUR GROUP CONSENSUS HERE (The group leader for these 4 Essay activities will be the member whose birthday is closest to Independence Day, July 4th.):**__

Essay Item # 1 - flaw(s)? This essay item was found to be rather lengthy and complex. It also provided the student with various options as to which item the student would like to answer. We did notice that the value of the given essay, as well as the length of time was given, which can be very useful to the student.

Evidence:
 * Commandment #4**: Thou shall not employ complex syntax in assessment items."
 * Constructive Response PPT:** "It is best not to offer optional items on essay exams." " When students select from different items, they are essentially taking different exams. This makes it impossible for the teacher to judge/compare exam performance on a common scale!"
 * Constructive Response PPT**: "If students are unaware of which items count most they may put more time and energy into low-value items...leaving insufficient time to give more than a "nod" to higher-value items later in the test."

Essay Item # 2 - flaw(s)? The flaw is in the choice given to the students at the end of the directions: "If you prefer to respond to one of the two following 20-minute questions regarding the role of maps in geographic studies, you may omit this item."

Evidence:
 * Constructive Response PPT**: Much as we may think we are being "kind" and/or doing students a "favor" - it is best not to offer optional items on essay exams." "We are essentially giving students different tests."

Essy Item # 3 - flaw(s)? The vocabulary is difficult to understand and the verbiage is complex. there is no value given in the directions as to the time of the test (time and points).

Evidence:
 * Commandment 4**: "Thou shall not employ complex syntax in assessment items."
 * Commandment 5**: "Thou shall not use vocabulary that is more advanced than your audience."
 * Constructive Response PPT**: "If students are unaware of which items count most they may put more time and energy into low-value items...leaving insufficient time to give more than a "nod" to higher-value items later in the test."

Essay Item # 4 - flaw(s)? Question is very complex, as well as contains too many concepts.

Evidence:
 * Commandment 3:"**Thou shall not employ complex syntax in assessment items." One should avoid complicated sentence constructions.
 * Writing Guidelines**: "Focus on a single concept in each test item." "Two concepts tend to confuse students, and thereby your test results."

__**5. POST YOUR INDIVIDUAL DESIGNS HERE:**__
 * Your own design - RHONDA **
 * ** 1 short-answer assessment item **

//**Directions: Please finish the following statement by writing your answer in the blank provided. (each question is 1 point)**//
 * 1) When given a set of numbers, scores from a reading test, the proper term for the average of these numbers is __?__
 * 2) When given a set of numbers, scores from a reading test, the proper term for the middle number is __?__
 * 3) When given a set of numbers, scores from a reading test, the proper term for the score that occurs the most is __?__
 * 1 essay assessment item

//**Directions: Please answer the following question. You will have 20 minutes to write your response to the question. This question is worth 25 points of your test grade.**//
 * 1) Given the following data, please indicate the mean, median, and mode of the data (6pts). Then indicate when and why you would use these calculations in the real world (16pts). You must show all of your work (3pts)

Test score for a 7th grade reading test: 77, 90, 89, 79, 80, 100, 90, 79, 62, 100, 79, 88, 96, 83, 68


 * Your own design - **KAREN
 * **1 short-answer assessment item (Directions are designed for more than one question.)**


 * Directions: Answer the following questions based on the novel Charlotte’s Web. You do not need to use complete sentences. (1 point each) **
 * 1) **What did Charlotte say would happen if she didn’t catch bugs and eat them?**


 * **1 essay assessment item (These directions are designed for two essay questions.)**

1. Was Dr. Dorian concerned about Fern? Give reasons to support your answer. **
 * Directions: Answer the following questions using complete sentences. (3 points each: 2 points for the correct answer and one point for using a complete sentence.)

**DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions about the heart. (1 point each)
 * Your own design - GISELLE **
 * ** 1 short-answer assessment item **
 * (8th grade) **

1) What do our hearts do to the blood for our body and where in the body does this occur?**
 * ** 1 essay assessment item **
 * DIRECTIONS: Please answer the following questions with complete sentences. Be descriptive as possible. (5 points) **

1) After breathing in a breath of air where does it go? (Briefly describe the route it takes from inhalation to exhalation.)

> //**Directions: In no more than 50 words, please explain the function of a persuasive essay. This response will be worth 10 points.**//
 * Your own design - STEFANIE **
 * **__ 1 short-answer assessment item __**
 * //Directions: Please complete the following statement by filling in the blank. Each item is worth one (1) point.//**
 * 1) **The part of speech that is used to name a person, place, or thing is the _ __.__**
 * __ 1 essay assessment item __

1. Literacy is a person's ability to_______________.
 * Your own design - COLLEEN **
 * ** 1 short-answer assessment item: **Directions: Please complete the following statement by filling in the blank. Each item is worth two points.** **


 * ** 1 essay assessment item. **Directions: In at least 200 words describe how literacy is important for people to function in this world. (100 points)** **