As
educators at Vels Vidyashram, Chennai, we believe in nurturing our students
through a holistic approach to education. Assessments play a vital role in this
journey, allowing us to evaluate and enhance our students' learning
experiences.
Middle-school
students, typically in classes 6, 7, and 8, have specific learning needs that
require careful attention. This is a critical phase of their educational
journey, where they transit from the primary to the secondary level.
Understanding their unique cognitive and emotional development is crucial for
implementing assessment strategies that cater to their individual growth.
Vels
as CBSE School adapts Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) which aims
to assess a student's development in all areas, including academics,
co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.
CCE
is done by conducting regular assessments in various Scholastic and
Co-scholastic areas.
1) The Scholastic areas of
assessment
2) The Co-Scholastic areas of
assessment
1) Scholastic Areas of
Assessment:
Scholastic
assessments primarily focus on the academic aspects of a student's performance.
These are the traditional assessments that cover subjects taught in the
classroom.
The
assessment structure includes both formative and summative evaluations,
providing a comprehensive view of a student's academic progress.
a ) Formative Assessment
(FA):
Formative assessments are ongoing
evaluations that help us understand how students are progressing in real-time.
These assessments are not graded
but provide valuable feedback to both students and teachers.
They guide us in adjusting our
teaching methods to meet individual learning needs.
Weekly activities are an integral
part of our teaching methodology.
These are short, frequent
assessments designed to keep students engaged and reinforce their understanding
of concepts. These activities include:
|
Day |
Subject |
Activity |
|
Monday |
Math |
Mental
Maths |
|
Tuesday |
English
|
Spell
Bee |
|
Wednesday |
Science |
Mental
Aptitude |
|
Thursday |
II
lang |
Dictation
|
|
Friday |
GK |
Quizzes |
In addition to the above pen and
paper tests, it also includes open-book exams, revisions, HOTs questions, word
walls, word webs, mind maps, and other methods of determining how well the
student has mastered a particular concept.
b) Summative Assessment (SA)
Summative
assessments are more structured and are conducted at specific intervals of the
academic year. They provide a summary of a student's learning over a longer
period.
The
Summative assessments in Middle school comprise of the following:
○ Slip Test - An assessment at the end of each chapter to assess the students'
understanding of the concept completed.
○ Periodic Tests - It is a tool to track
students' development over time. Regular descriptive feedback is provided,
giving students the chance to know their performance, seek guidance, and make
improvements. These Periodic tests are conducted in four parts: PT1, PT2, PT3,
& PT4 throughout the year.
○ Term Examination - This is carried out at the end of each term during the course of
learning. It measures or ‘sums up’ how much a student has learned in that Term.
This is conducted twice a year, scheduled in the calendar, it also provides
feedback to parents.
2) The Co-Scholastic areas of
assessment
Co-scholastic
assessments in our school go beyond academics, encompassing various aspects of
a student's personality development, skills, and interests.
These
assessments aim to provide a holistic view of a student's abilities and
strengths.
a) Life Skills (Vels Chit Chat): To assess a
student's ability to navigate real-life situations and challenges. Eg:
Communication skills, Critical thinking, Problem-solving, Interpersonal
relationships, Emotional intelligence, etc.
b) Work Education (General Assembly): To
evaluate a student's capacity to apply academic concepts in practical
scenarios. Eg: Vocational skills development, Practical application of
theoretical knowledge, Project-based learning, etc.
c) Visual and Performing Arts (Cultural Competition): To gauge a student's creativity, talent, and expression through
visual and performing arts. Eg: Music, dance, and drama performances, Art and
craft projects, Participation in cultural events, etc. through Cultural
competitions
d) Attitude and Values (IMCTF programs): To
analyze a student's ethical and moral values, as well as their attitude towards
learning and society. Eg: Respect for elders, Tolerance towards others,
Responsibility, Honesty and integrity, Environmental consciousness, etc
e) Health and Physical Education (Sports Meet & competitions): To apprise a student's physical health, fitness, and overall
well-being. Eg: Sports achievements, Physical fitness levels, Participation in
physical activities and games, etc
f) Clubs, Scouts and Guides: To identify
student's engagement and leadership in extracurricular activities. Eg:
Participation in events, Involvement in social service groups, etc
g) Outdoor Education (Immersion programs): To
qualify a student's ability to learn outside the traditional classroom setting
and connect with the environment. Eg: Nature camps, Educational field trips,
Adventure sports and activities,etc.
h) Co-Curricular Activities (VMUN): To judge a
student's participation, interest, and excellence in various co-curricular
events. Eg: Debates and elocution competitions, Quiz contests, Science
exhibitions, etc:
Apart from this, the students are
also assessed for discipline which is based on factors like attendance,
sincerity, behavior, values, tidiness, respectfulness for rules and
regulations, attitude towards society, nation, and others.
The combination of scholastic and
co-scholastic assessments in our schools aims to provide a panoramic evaluation
of a student's overall development, nurturing, not just academic excellence but
also essential life skills and values. This comprehensive approach aligns with
our vision of creating holistic development of individuals capable of facing
the challenges of the 21st century.
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