Authentic Assessment of Young Children's Developing Concepts in Mathematics and Science

Paper and pencil tests rarely assess children's developing mathematical and scientific concepts validly. There are, however, a number of authentic and meaningful ways to assess these processes. Anecdotal notes--recorded observations of children that concern what they say and do--reveal a considerable amount about these developing concepts. Drawings, paintings, constructions, and dramatizations illustrate in creative ways what a child knows. Children's journal writing, field note reports, and demonstrations are also thoughtful approaches to embedding assessment in the curriculum. This paper presents the experiences of graduate students in a masters degree program in early childhood education with assessing children's learning using a combination of those strategies: anecdotal notes, drawings, paintings, constructions, and dramatizations; and children's journal writing, field note reports, and demonstrations. (ASK)