First Spelling Assessment

     Today, I gave my first spelling test with four groups! Overwhelming does not begin to describe the feeling. I had to give my spelling assessment today due to the snow day on Friday. As if missing a school day wasn't bad enough, our school system had an hour delay. The students were super excited and had a difficult time focusing. Despite telling them Thursday that if there was no school on Monday, the spelling test would be Monday. I was concerned how my students would perform as well as giving four tests at once. Four groups is too many! I am going to see if I can find a parent volunteer or an aide to help me give a test. I feel bad outsourcing, but there is no way I can handle giving all the tests. Throughout the test, I had to remind some students to focus on the test!
    Overall, the scores were much better than I expected. Both students in the yellow (high) group got As despite one of the students playing war with his pencils and the other student staring out the window. I learned looks can be deceiving! In my orange (medium-high) group, I had 6 As and 1 B. The one student who received a B is going to be devastated. This grade is his lowest on a spelling test. I will be paying close attention to his reaction tomorrow. This student is the same one who thought he should be in a higher group. I am hoping that he will strive to join the yellow group and maybe pull up some of his other group members. In my blue (medium) group, three students earned As, two students earned Bs, and 1 student received a C. I am not sure what to make of these scores yet. I am copying these students tests to analyze at another time. The pink (low) group had two students earn As, one student earned a C, and one student earned a D. I am so excited that one of my worst spellers in the classroom scored an A on her spelling test. She is working so hard on trying to sound out words and become a better speller. This A will really help her self-esteem! The student who earned a D was very unexpected. However, I know that she is experiencing less assistance at home due to family situations. Unfortunately, I have not been made aware of these factors. Overall, I expected students to score where they did.
    I finally have sent home the parent surveys. Unfortunately I have been trying for about a week but due to weather and other school obligations, I have not been able to send them. I told the students their parents were going to have homework and to make sure they did it. I am going to be curious to see how many parents fill out the survey as well as what comments the parents make. Hopefully, I will not take any of the comments personally! I am looking forward to having a full week of spelling activities and to really start collecting data. Have a great week :)