Tuesday, November 12, 2013

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 likelaaaaa (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!

24 comments:

  1. lol! I'm watching Person of Interest too! Love!

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  2. Thanks for sharing. It is always great to hear about new things from people who have tried them. I hope I win, but good luck to everyone.

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  3. Crystal,
    Is this program only for kindergarten? I am intrigued and my principal is always asking what he can do to help make our job easier. If this is something that could be used by all grade levels, we may be jumping in with both feet!
    Thanks, Kim

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    1. Kim,

      I'm not sure how you would use this for other grade levels since they take grades but I'm sure the wonderful ESGI people would be happy to answer any questions. :)

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    2. Hi Kim! ESGI is primarily used by PreK - 1st grade teachers, Resource and Reading Specialists, Special Education, ELL, and other educators that assess one-on-one. However, we have other projects in the works that will be useful PK-6, so we hope to have an app you will love, soon!"

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  4. Thank you! I signed up for the free trial!

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  5. I hope I win the year version. This appears to be exactly what I am looking for!

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  6. Thank you! I feel like I am assessing ALL the time!!!! I will def. sign up for the free trial! Lisa
    byrdland@swoi.net

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  7. Also, I just wanted you to know that NO CREDIT CARD IS REQUIRED to sign up for the ESGI 60-day trial, and therefore; users don't have to cancel prior to the expiration date to avoid any charges. :-)

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  8. I would love to win this so I can share info with parents in a better way. dwalter16@hotmail.com

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  9. Assessments are a necessary evil! This. Would be so helpful. Claire.mcloughlin@owasso.k12.ok.us

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  10. This my 3rd year using ESGI -- I can assess alphabet knowledge in about 30 minutes on the FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN. It is SO helpful for showing growth and just takes a minute to do. I would pay for it myself if the school didn't graciously buy it for us.

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  11. This is my 2nd year using ESGI...I love it!

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  12. Thank you for your ideas! I too spend hours physically doing the data...uuuggghhhh! AND I love Person of Interest!
    ps...can I have a copy of your sight word sticker chart? or is it somewhere I haven't found?
    Thank you

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  13. LOVE ESGI!! We've been using it for close to five years. We use it for our progress reports and our report cards. Love the customization. And you are right about the ESGI team, they are great to work with and always quick to respond if you need help.

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  14. this looks great - i signed up for the free trial :o)

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  15. Our district just started using ESGI this year. Our Kinder team LOVES it! So easy to use and the resources you receive along with the assessment piece are amazing. I love that I can walk around with my ipad and assess kids "on the fly..." :)

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  16. I just started using ESGI last month. It is super! Thanks for highlighting this program. I learned several new things. I am embarrassed to say that I did not know I could customize the assessments. I was so busy when I started I just used the preset assessments. I am adding my own tomorrow!

    ~Laura
    luvarbon2@sbcglobal.net

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  17. I think you may have saved my life! This is only my second year in Kinder and I feel like every time I turn around its time to assess again, whether for report cards or progress reports. I'm drowning in spreadsheets and data that takes hours to transfer. Needless to say, I'm getting this free trial and jumping straight in!! :)

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  18. I would love to win this for report card testing. I just finished assessments for the 1 st marking period and it took FOREVER! I love the idea having graphs and also the cards to practice at home. I saw this young man at a convention and wanted to get it but..... Anyway thanks for your imput to making life easier!
    Maryann
    brennemm@carlisleschools.org

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  19. Okay I LOVE this! I've set up all my students and cannot wait to use it on Monday! Thanks so much for sharing! I love Person of Interest too! It's getting so unbelievably good!

    œKaryn
    A is for Apple B is for Blog
    Kideducator@comcast.net

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  20. I am starting my two month trial tomorrow while my kinder-bears are busy working on Thanksgiving projects. I wish I had started earlier since I'll be losing three weeks of time for T-Day break and Winter Break, but it gives me more time to convince Santa I need this for my big gift this year. Thanks for inspiring me to do what I knew I should have done. Hopefully, I'll be able to share the data with my principal and she'll buy for the whole grade-level next year.

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  21. I waited to sign up to get as much use out of the free trial as I possibly can with Thanksgiving and Winter Break. It looks great so far, I can't wait to start using it with my kids on Tuesday

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