A+ Enriched Assessment: The Big Picture

ARTS INTEGRATION

Enriched assessment, like A+ instruction, integrates the arts into learning. Arts-integrated assessment at Mary McArthur allows students many options in demonstrating knowledge and understanding. Students in grade K-5 participate in dance, drama, music, and visual arts daily. Assessment occurs in several ways and is not limited to the written or spoken word. Students learn through thematic units, portfolios, projects, presentations, as well as through traditional methods. Arts-integration encourages collaboration among teachers with different knowledge skills.

Studies show that students who are involved in some form of the arts or a sport usually stay in school and are more successful than those who are not involved in an art or sport activity.

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES         

The A+ approach to instruction and assessment is grounded in the concept of multiple intelligences, which acknowledges that children are smart in different ways (See Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences). In the classroom, this translates to learning and demonstrating knowledge and skills in different ways. The method of teaching and assessment that incorporates the multiple intelligences will be more varied than usually seen in the traditional classroom. It will incorporate the arts as both teaching and assessment tools and provides more options for students to learn and show what they have learned. It also allows more children to be successful in school and acquire life-long learning skills. At Mary McArthur we focus on, "How Are You Smart?" rather than, "How Smart Are You?"

COLLABORATION         

Enriched assessment is a collaborative effort involving teachers, students parents, and community. In  order to maximize student-learning outcomes, teachers must continuously assess what is taking place in the classrooms regarding teaching and learning. They must plan together and share ideas to create integrated lessons. Community partners can help by providing support in terms of financial and human resources. It is our sincere hope that community partners will collaborate with teachers and school to learn more about the A+ approach to teaching and learning in order to better understand their role as partners.