The teacher can view the student s reading by checking to see if he is asking questions to clarify meaning of the book being read. Also, they can see how the student reflects, in writing, their interpretation and opinion of the book being read. There are many ways to assess the students without having them read a short, boring paragraph and then bubbling in the correct answer to the question that follows. Overall, as Calkins states, assessment is needed for teachers to have a minds-on approach to teaching, but not always as a paper and pencil test. We can assess our students by assessing the ways they are learning, thinking, and interacting.
Assessment helps teachers create lesson plans and lifts up the level of students peer conferring.
Teachers should assess in the way that shows what students have learned in the classroom through hands-on activities, peer interaction, completing of assignments, and understanding of all reading and writing concepts learned independently.