Guided Reading Assessments

I've found it really helpful to do guided reading "snapshots" throughout the year. My students are assessed using running records, tests from our reading programs, and other informal assessments. However, sometimes I just want a quick assessment that's performance-based and easy to use. Sometimes I feel like I don't get enough real information from reading program assessments.  I LOVE running records, but they take a while and they are not parent-friendly. So, I came up with the following "snapshot" assessment/ skill check to use throughout the year.

These snapshot assessments are used in two ways:

1. For me: to keep track of student progress, strengths, and goals. 
2. For parents: to communicate clearly how their child is doing during guided reading, what their strengths are while reading, and what goals I have for their child.

Here's a way to communicate how students are doing during guided reading. I chose 5 areas to rate: phonics skills, comprehension, fluency, behavior, and self-monitoring. This is a way for parents to quickly see how their child is doing in class. It's a more general assessment than the ones below. 

clipart: Thistlegirl design

You can download this for free at my Teacher's Notebook store or my TPT store.

You can keep track of the snapshot records using this spreadsheet if you want...

Here is another way to communicate to parents. This sheet is more specific about reading skills that a child may or may not have. I chose the most common things I look for in a first grade reader and put these skills in both boxes (one for strengths and one for goals). 

frame by scrappincop

clipart: Scrappindoodles

To use this: Circle the child's strengths that you have observed during guided reading and then choose one or two skills that you would like to focus on as a goal. This gives your parents an idea of how they can follow up at home. I have so many incredible parents every year who are always asking how they can help at home, what they should focus on, etc. They want to know what I'm doing in the classroom so they can followup at home. Confession time: I've been known to spend way too much time writing emails to parents who want this information on  a regular basis. (Remember I am in a private school with paying parents.) I've created these materials to save me some time in the long run! :) It takes a couple minutes to fill out so it's super convenient. I wouldn't do a whole class at once though. I'd spread it out so that each student gets one every few weeks. 

I tried to use parent-friendly language that is self explanatory, but there may be a couple that need explaining. Usually "cross checking" is the one I'd write a quick note about. (Cross Checking is from the CAFE books and basically means a student reads words that make sense and match the letters on the page.) 

I left some extra lines at the bottom of each box so you could add in a skill. I would also write in a specific phonics skill we were working on and add it to the goals or strengths. For example, if a student isn't grasping the silent e,  you could add that to the goals box. You could also add some more advanced skills (from the CAFE menu) as your students advance with reading.

This one is the same as the one above, just different frames and clip art:

Frames by Miss Tina

Clipart by scrappindoodles

You can click on any of the pictures to get these snapshot sheets. As always, I'd love to hear from you! Could you use this in your classroom? What do you do for your assessments? How do you communicate to parents? How do you organize your information? 

You can download these for free at my Teacher's Notebook shop or my TPT store.

Please consider "liking" or "following" one of my shops if you take the freebie. Thanks:)