Martha Erickson

July 26, 2019

Next Steps Tutoring

Critical Reflection

Critical Reflection

The standard I chose to relate to the practicum was Standard 5: Assessment. This says,

“The teacher uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth,

monitor learner progress, guide planning and instruction, and determine whether the outcomes

described in content standards have been met.” I chose this because that is basically what the

whole practicum is about. We assist students in reading, assess how they are doing each day, and

reassess how to make sure their lessons are exactly right for them the next day. At the beginning

and the end of the practicum, assessments, in many forms are completed such as DIBELS, the

flash word bit and the reading leaving assessment.

At the beginning of the practicum, it took me a really long time to plan each lesson as I

got used to it. As time went on, it got easier and easier to assess while I was working with each

child and plan their lessons as we went. It also made it easier to plan as we went so I could

remember where we needed to pick up the next day. I loved seeing their progress every day

which helped me see assessment as a tool for success rather than something that stressed them

out. I think they both got stressed when they knew they were being formally assessed, but little

did they know, that is what we were doing every day.

For future assessments in my classroom and the students I tutor, I want to help them

understand to not stress out when they are beginning formally assessed. If they try their best,
they will show us what they have actually learned. It is a great program because it assesses every

day and helps students see their progress immediately. I am going to use it in my classroom this

upcoming year because many of my students are behind in reading and I think this will really

help.