Assessments

I will be the first to admit that the thing I dislike the most about teaching is ASSESSMENTS. Ugh, they take soooo long. We don’t give grades in kindergarten, which I think is very wise. So much of kindergarten is developmental and sometimes kids just need time to get all of their ducks in a row (or for the light bulb to come on).:)

This can be a double edged sword though because you have to test each objective for each grading period and often the previous grading periods too.  This includes alllllllllllll letters, sounds, sight words, numbers, etc. Geez Louise, it's a lot.

Before this year, I would create spreadsheet after spreadsheet with everything assessed. Then, I would go through each student’s spreadsheet and write down areas of weakness. THEN, I would combine list after list to create my groups. OMGoodness. What a hot mess! That’s enough to send a girl straight to the wine bottle.

Anyway, I have a point I promise. I was contacted by ESGI to try their software a week before I started my assessments for the first grading period. Perfect timing. It was like…laaaaa (cue angels, lol), a gift from above. It only took me about 15 minutes to add my class and sign up. Then, I had my teammates sign up for the free trial too so we could all venture in to this together. I wanted to see the benefit for our administration because from what I saw, the ability to see the data was pretty sweet. (They have a video on the website that has a great overview). 

Let me tell you friends, my life is much better because of this amazing software.  I can complete my assessments in less than half the time it previously took. I have a small laptop in my room (but you could use your phone or ipad too) that I have next to me for testing. I chose to create my own assessments based upon my report card (which is totally easy) but ESGI has dozens of fabulous pre-made assessments. I pull up the assessments and test each student. I don’t have to write anything down or flip flash cards or point to letters. I just click my mouse and everything is done for me. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

ESGI was created by a kindergarten teacher. That makes me happy because you know we are a breed of our own and you have to live our world to understand it. So, let me show you a few things I love!

I am a visual learner. This is why I need a program like this. After I have tested my entire class, I can pull up class pie charts for each subject. This is awesome! By looking at this I know my class's strengths and areas that need improvement.  Our district only report card tests thirty words so that is the assessment I created. I test them each grading period until they are 100%. *Note, I have sight words sticker charts in my student's take home notebooks and my goal is to have them read at least 100 words before leaving my classroom. :) Here are examples of ELA and Math class summaries.

Now I will show you an individual student chart would look like. I love how you can clearly see a student's strengths and areas to work on. 

Then, I can print a parent letter to send home which clearly states to parents what a student needs to work on. Awesomeness!

Another fab feature is the ability to print a bar graph for each objective. For example, I tested students a week after I taught the letter "i". After reviewing the bar graph, I realized that I had some reteaching to do because too many of my kids said the incorrect sound. I LOVE this. This holds ME accountable in a more visual way.

So, why am I sharing this? Well, because I wish someone had told me about this years ago. My time is precious and because of ESGI, I am not pulling my hair out when doing assessments. What's the catch? Well, yes it costs money. Everything does. Sadsville I know but it is worth it. Not to mention that ESGI has an amazing team that you can call and get help any time. They are previous educators and really have a heart for helping teachers. I love this so much that I shared it with my principal who shared it with our assistant superintendent of curriculum. If the district can't purchase it we already have plan B and will write a grant. Yes, it is that important to us. 

Here's the good news! I am giving away one FREE year subscription of ESGI software. Yes, they gave me a free membership to gift to one of YOU. All you need to do is click the picture below and sign up for the free  sixty day trial. Try it out for yourself. This is a special link created just for my blog so by clicking it, you will be signed up to enter this awesome giveaway. A winner will be chosen Monday, December 1st, 2013. You have until Sunday, November 30th, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. to register for a chance to win. No purchase is necessary. I hope you win! 

Seriously, try it out. I promise you won't be disappointed. Have I ever steered you wrong? Well..there was that one time.... Haha! J/K. Try it, share it with your administrator  If they are nuts about data, this will be a lifesaver and they will want it! Use my blog promo code B4477 and get $40 OFF too.

So, get to clicking, sign up and cross your fingers because this is a giveaway you NEED! 

*Disclaimer..I am writing this as I watch Person of Interest so there may be misspelled words or this could possibly not make any sense. Do you watch this show? Oh my, I am just glued to the TV (which really never happens). 

Love and virtual hugs!