In more and more schools, students are now being assessed not only on traditional (algorithmic and computational) math skills, but also on how-and how well-they handle reasoning and problem solving. However, until now, these additional skills have been difficult to assess in an objective, accurate and efficient way. But not any more.This book's "comprehensive assessment" approach includes the traditional paper-and-pencil tests plus relatively new ways (e.g., portfolios, journals, observations, interviews, projects, performance tasks, rubrics) to assess what students know about math, and how they reason, solve problems and communicate about it. This unique new handbook provides everything teachers need-background information, problems for various grade levels, detailed answers, forms, teaching suggestions-to assess students throughout the semester or at any time...easily, accurately and effectively!Elementary school teachers.

The growing emphasis on developing the mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills of young students makes this an ideal resource for elementary school teachers. It provides new and seasoned teachers with classroom-tested, hands-on materials, including over 200 reproducibles and black-line masters as well as practical suggestions for practice, evaluation and diagnostic assessment of reasoning and problem solving skills. The book is logically organized - first providing teachers with an overview of key concepts and basic suggestions for getting the most success out of what is offered. Following chapters unfold with classroom-ready activities organized according to the five stages of the heuristic process. Individual and group challenges encourage students to Read and Think, Explore and Plan, Select a Strategy, Find an Answer, and Reflect and Extend. In addition, there are collections of Non-Routine Problems, and of Open Ended Problems Requiring an Extended Response. Answers are provided to all problems, including effective strategies for accepting and evaluating answers to open ended problems.

Covers how to develop and use test questions and other assessments that reveal how well students can analyze, reason, solve problems, and think creatively.

Education is a hot topic. From the stage of presidential debates to tonight's dinner table, it is an issue that most Americans are deeply concerned about. While there are many strategies for improving the educational process, we need a way to find out what works and what doesn't work as well. Educational assessment seeks to determine just how well students are learning and is an integral part of our quest for improved education. The nation is pinning greater expectations on educational assessment than ever before. We look to these assessment tools when documenting whether students and institutions are truly meeting education goals. But we must stop and ask a crucial question: What kind of assessment is most effective? At a time when traditional testing is subject to increasing criticism, research suggests that new, exciting approaches to assessment may be on the horizon. Advances in the sciences of how people learn and how to measure such learning offer the hope of developing new kinds of assessments-assessments that help students succeed in school by making as clear as possible the nature of their accomplishments and the progress of their learning. Knowing What Students Know essentially explains how expanding knowledge in the scientific fields of human learning and educational measurement can form the foundations of an improved approach to assessment. These advances suggest ways that the targets of assessment-what students know and how well they know it-as well as the methods used to make inferences about student learning can be made more valid and instructionally useful. Principles for designing and using these new kinds of assessments are presented, and examples are used to illustrate the principles. Implications for policy, practice, and research are also explored. With the promise of a productive research-based approach to assessment of student learning, Knowing What Students Know will be important to education administrators, assessment designers, teachers and teacher educators, and education advocates.

Krulik and Rudnick explore methods for teaching and testing problem solving and reasoning, then present over 100 problems for use with students as well as problems that can be used as diagnostic tools.

The PISA 2003 Assessment Framework presents the conceptual underpinning of the PISA 2003 assessments. Within each assessment area, the volume defines the content that students need to acquire, the processes that need to be performed and the contexts in which knowledge and skills are applied.

Mathematical Reasoning helps your child devise strategies to solve a wide variety of math problems. These books emphasize problem solving and computation to build the math reasoning skills necessary for success in higher level math and math assessments. All books are written to the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. These highly effective activities take students far beyond drill-and-practice by using step-by-step, discussion-based problem solving to develop a conceptual bridge between computation and the reasoning required for upper-level math. Activities and units spiral slowly, allowing students to become comfortable with concepts but also challenging them to continue building their math skills.

The 180 Days of Problem Solving for Grade 4 offers daily problem-solving practice geared towards developing the critical thinking skills needed to approach complex problems. This teacher-friendly resource provides thematic units that connect to a standards-based skill that fourth grade students are expected to know to advance to the next level. Lesson plans offer guidance and support for every day of the week, outlining strategies and activities that dig deeper than routine word problems. Each week students will use visual representations and analyze different types of word problems (including non-routine, multi-step, higher thinking problems). This comprehensive resource builds critical thinking skills and connects to national and state standards.

The Sourcebook for Teaching Science is a unique, comprehensive resource designed to give middle and high school science teachers a wealth of information that will enhance any science curriculum. Filled with innovative tools, dynamic activities, and practical lesson plans that are grounded in theory, research, and national standards, the book offers both new and experienced science teachers powerful strategies and original ideas that will enhance the teaching of physics, chemistry, biology, and the earth and space sciences.