There’s this major principle of differentiating that states that all instruction should be a response to assessment.  Assess-adjust-instruct!  It’s this unending cycle that just keeps going and going.

Despite it’s necessity, it is incredibly time consuming though.  In the past I have had a three ring binder that I used to constantly assess and document.  And then of course, I have my clipboards that I carry around with me to mark off skills as they are mastered on my Common Core Checklists.   These tools have been helpful in guiding my instruction and determining which students needed what!  In all honesty, I still have a hard time giving those tools up.  (Old dogs and new tricks and all that stuff . . .)  However, when I heard about ESGI‘s Assessing Program, I decided I really needed to give it a try to see if it could possibly help cut down on some of the time it took to keep up with my kinders’ assessments.

It really was the first time I could venture into this type of digital assessment tool because up until this year, I didn’t have full access to an iPad.  (Don’t laugh!) But I decided I needed to just bite the bullet in the fall and bring my own personal device in so I could test out ESGI‘s program and see if it would work for me.

First of all, there are tons of tests for you to select from as you start this program.  I’m not gonna lie to you.  I was a bit over-whelmed, but the great thing about ESGI is that there is a support staff that is ready and willing to help you whenever you need it.

This first year, I grabbed a couple of pre-programmed tests that were similar to what I needed, and then I created a couple of my own tests as well.  Yes!  You can actually customize the program to create the assessments you need.

 

It took me a while, but I actually got all 11 Ball Word Assessments loaded.  That means I can assess my students anytime I have my iPad with me.  It will even let me print out a letter telling parents which words they missed.

Likewise, the program was able to give me quick glances at my class as a whole and at specific students.

 

I could really look and see which skills were missing quickly and adjust instruction quicker than ever by having that information readily available.

It seriously a great resource and now that I have my feet wet, I’m even more excited about all the other tests and assessment programs that I can use next year.  There are so many from which to choose, and I even have plans of entering my Speed Reader Dolch Phrases in there for next year.  I’m going to be so efficient, I may actually have time to eat my lunch sitting down.

The great thing about this program is that it’s so versatile and user friendly, but, of course, it does have a cost involved to use it.  Most great things do.  I believe it’s worth it though.  The amount of time it has saved me was incredible.  Really!!! If you don’t believe me, try it FREE for 60 days and decide for yourself.  Just go HERE and use the promo code B7104.  If you love it like I do, you can also use that same promo code to get $40 off your first year’s subscription.

And even better . . . you could win an entire year’s subscription by entering the below.  That’s right ESGI is allowing me to give an entire year’s subscription away to one of my readers.  It’s just another reason why I love this company.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you’ll check them out and enter to win!  I’m crossing my fingers for you.

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.”  I was compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally,  believe will be good for my readers and that I truly love.