As we know, assessment should be an ongoing activity, not simply something we do at the end of a unit.  For this reason, I included a brief description of diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments that are integral in the teaching of each lesson.  Refer to individual lessons for these daily assessments of student knowledge.  The rate at which you can move through the material in this unit depends partly on the ability of the students to accurately apply the information they are learning.  By continually assessing the progress the students are making, you will be able to create lessons that are particularly suited to the needs of your students.  Many of the worksheets and activities presented in this unit plan will assist you in assessing the knowledge of the students.  This unit is particularly well suited to doing authentic assessment--especially for the final assessment.  Continue reading for the description of how I intend to perform the final assessment.  Follow the link to find an example of my overall grading scheme for this unit.
 
 

Final Unit Assessment

    The unit assessment will require a half day field trip to a formal orienteering course.  There are many orienteering clubs in the United States  which set up such courses for events and I would try to elicit the help of someone in the local club to assist me in preparing a suitable course for the skill level of my students.  I will need the assistance of other staff members and/or parents for supervision.  Also, the students will need to have  permission slips signed by their parents.  (This is all assuming that I can get clearance from the school to conduct this event...)
    Before the unit assessment is possible, there will be lessons devoted to learning and practicing safety procedures and cross-country travel skills.  There will also be ample opportunity for practice using the map and compass on the school grounds.  The practice orienteering course from Day 10 will be left in tact with the order of the controls changed frequently in order that the students can't simply memorize the course.  If this grandiose scheme for assessment doesn't receive clearance from the administrators, I will revise the practice course for the summative assessment.  Follow this link to the grading rubric for the final assessment.
 
 
 

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