At Hidden Valley Elementary in Charlotte, NC we are using various assessment tools to check students' knowledge and skill. During our soccer unit, we did partner skill checks. Partners used a rubric for soccer dribbling and marked smiles or frowns beside each skill component as they observed their partners dribbling a soccer ball around the room. At the end of the assessment, partners discussed the marks they gave and received and provided specific feedback. The students took their assessor roles very seriously and applied what they learned in some soccer lead-up games.

We will use partner skill checks in basketball and rope jumping. I have also modified skill checklists that I got from workshops and other PE teachers to use for teacher assessment. It makes it quick and easy to observe skills and mark a code in a column to show if a student has mastered a skill or not.

The third type of assessment we have used for checking knowledge is the Learnstar computer system. Students choose answers to questions which appear on a TV monitor by using a keypad. The faster they answer correctly, the more points they score. Each question gives 3-4 possible answers and clues. The students love the competition! We have done this individually and as a partner activity. It gives me an idea of how much they understand about certain sports and fitness concepts. If your school does not have Learnstar, it would be a great investment!

Later in the year, as we begin our lessons on the components of fitness, we will do fitness assessments in groups using endurance, strength, and flexibility activities that are part of our warm-up. Students will take the test twice and strive for improvement. Results will be sent home to parents on a form I created myself.

Assessment in PE doesn't have to involve a lot of paperwork and can make the lessons more meaningful and relevant for the students.

Feel free to contact Brenda for more information