Formative Assessments
Formative assessment includes all those activities undertaken by teachers and their students
that provide information to be used as feedback to modify the teaching and learning activities
in which they are engaged. (Black and William, 1998).
Below you will find a list of commonly used formative assessment strategies along with links to
even more strategies.
Exit Ticket
Before students leave for the
day or switch classes, they
complete an “exit” ticket that
prompts them to answer a
question targeting the big idea of
the lesson.
Ticket out the Door Ideas
Bell Ringer
Review
As the students enter the
classroom there is a regular
activity or task that they know
they must complete. Not only is
this a great tool to check for
student understanding, it is also
a great classroom management
tool.
Rules for Bell Work
Graphic
Organizers
Graphic organizers are a great
way for students to record their
understanding of a topic. They
can be used throughout the
lesson:
Nearly 100 Printable Organizers
Before lesson: as a guide and to
build background.
During lesson: to focus students’
attention and provide
conceptual clarity for
information that is difficult to
grasp.
After lesson: to record
understanding and provide visual
clues.
Quick Write/
Quick Draw
Quick Write and Quick Draw are
brief, timed activities that give
students a chance to reflect and
summarize their learning,
helping to make sense of the
lesson. They also allow the
teacher to easily see student
misconceptions.
Quick Write/Draw Template
Quick Write Template
Response Devices
Response devices are also a great way to judge which students understand the concept and which
students need additional instruction. Response devices are index cards, signs, whiteboards, or other
items that can be simultaneously held up by all students to indicate their response to a question.
For even more great ideas, check these sites out:
Formative Assessment Ideas
Check for Understanding
Formative Assessment Examples
21 Ways to Investigate…
Dare to be Different
SpringBoard Strategies