PSI gave me the opportunity to try different styles of formative assessment and reflect on which style worked best for me. Through daily observation of students I learned the simple skill of keeping small written notes in my notebook about which students may be struggling, or which students may need an extra challenge. When planning lessons I got into the habit of having both my class lists beside me. After completing my lesson plans I would re-read it, then look at my class list in order to ensure this lesson was both fair and challenging enough for each student. Teaching two different Grade 6 classes gave me the opportunity to observe and recognize the many diverse learners that are present in classrooms, and make differentiation accordingly.
Below is my "Elements of a Narrative" slideshow I gave to students prior to beginning our novel study. I printed this slideshow out and had students fill-in-the-blanks to words on each slide in order to ensure they were paying attention. While making this lesson I realized I had students who struggled to write and read, and may not be able to listen to the lesson, comprehend it, and follow along taking notes. To ensure these students were given a fair and equal chance at learning I gave them a completed worksheet and told them to try and highlight the words that their peers were writing in. This was a quick and easy addition to my lesson, and through my formative assessment I was able to recognize that this differentiation was required. Below I have attached both slideshows, the completed one as well as the fill-in-the-blank one. If you prefer not to download these powerpoints to look at them, they are also available under my "PSI Lesson Planning" tab.