Kindergarten is one of the enjoyable and at times difficult classes to handle since it involves the initial stage of introducing learning. Consequently, it requires the teachers to apply different tactics to ensure that they understand the leaner’s level of understanding of various concepts. According to Clark (2014), children’s future enjoyment of reading relates directly to concepts they get introduced to in the first days of schooling. Thus, educators need to use different assessments to understand learner’s literacy levels and ensure the delivery of the right content.
I agree with Julia on her point regarding using informal literacy assessments as a way of allowing educators to understand the type of content to teach at different levels. For instance, at my Kindergarten class, I apply oral testing on sight words and reading, fluency, which have been a success. However, the cold read tactic that Julia mentions cannot apply in a kindergarten class since the leaners barely knows how to read and write. Phillips & Feng (2012) states that read by sight is important since it helps the learners to read quickly without decoding, and applicable in lower-level classes.
According to Kim & Wagner (2015), each learning level requires a different assessment tool. Kimberly explains different assessments that she uses for each level and incorporates an important aspect of struggling readers and the need to understand their developmental level. Struggling readers start from as early as Kindergarten level, and hence educators should assess to determine the correct instructional level for fast and struggling readers. Kimberly also points out that fluency is a complex process, especially for lower classes. In my class, despite applying it for beginning readers did not work when assessing fluency and comprehension since most learners could only read word by word.
Literacy assessments are important tools for educators and learners. As an educator, they help me to understand the level of learner’s understanding and hence apply the right instructional level. As for the learners, it motivates their reading as they understand better the content that matches their level of understanding.