Informal Assessment

Valuable data doesn't always come from tests.  The information you gather as you observe student work and discussions is just as important, if not more.  What we see and hear in in the classroom helps us determine who understands, who doesn't, where the gaps are, and how to change our instructional practices to help all students progress in learning.  We tend to keep that all in our minds on a daily basis, but then discount it when it comes to grading.  If we can keep written accounts of what we see, it will likely help in planning and grading (and, it won't add to our overtaxed memories!).  Watch this short clip from the Teaching Channel that shows one teacher's method of informal assessment.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/informal-assessment-strategies