Test Items Explanation

Developing an test item for my language arts' blog on Synonyms and Antonyms was a little challenging because of wanting to try to accommodate my learning outcomes.  I made one test item for each outcome using the text examples as a guide as well as the lecture from Professor Orlando.  I wanted to be sure that the students had a basic understanding of what Synonyms and Antonyms are and be able to recognize and list examples.  The most challenging was the multiple choice and matching because I had to make sure that there were no mistakes in the understanding of the test item.  I could see how Professor Orlando and the text  meant on how advantageous and challenging putting a test together.  I wanted to make sure that the test items were at grade level so that the students could see their strengths and weaknesses, and where improvement could be made for the learning process and the instruction on my part giving respect of how my students' learning ability.  I know that I need as much practice compiling test items as much as the students need to instructed and guided in an orderly and specific fashion.  I am motivated by my learning from seeing my students experience the instruction and information provided to them, and how they acknowledge the objectives or outcomes that I want them to grasp.

Synonyms and Antonyms

In the preparation of this blog, I had many topics in mind that I find important for elementary children.  I thought that I would make the most benefit for the readers of this blog to focus on language arts, and how it can make a difference in many students of the grade level that I have chosen.  My academic background is at the elementary level of education which ranges from K-3rd graders as a student teacher, a volunteer, an internship, and as a substitute teacher.  I would love to learn more about other grade levels as well as the new technology that is out there to assist the teachers and their students to learn the necessary skills as well as the topics of interest to reach for their goals of acquiring knowledge for their future.  I would like to acquire a portfolio that includes experience and education for special diverse learners.

In this first post, I would like to introduce a hypothetical unit on Synonyms and Antonyms for a second grade class of students who need to learn the basics on this language arts' topic.  I will provide a few objectives that I would have regarding this issue at the end of the introduction of this unit.  In the following weeks, I will continue to develop this learning opportunity for these second graders.

1.  Students will be able to define Synonyms and Antonyms, and know the difference between them.
2.  Students will be able to list at least 3 examples of Synonyms and Antonyms.
3.  Students will compare Synonyms to Antonyms, and list 3 examples.

This is a starting point of what I would like to achieve within this unit of study.  I look forward to my future posts, and welcome any comments, opinions, and advice on this blog so that every reader including myself learn and grow as an educator, student, and lifelong learner.

During the learning process, there needs to be an evaluation of what the students actually learn from my unit of Synonyms and Antonyms.  I have to form an assessment to test my students' knowledge, and measure what they need to know before the next lesson or if reteaching is needed.  The second graders will find similar test items to the ones below.

1. True or False:  Synonyms are words that have the same definition.  Antonyms are words that are defined as opposites.
2.  In the following list, circle which are Synonyms?

     truth, lie
     good, bad
     approve, deny
     light, dark
     sunny, cloudy

3.  Match the words in list A to the words in list B by drawing a line to each other's Antonym.

     List A                                                    List B

1.  Sun                                                        Pass
2.  Boy                                                        Truth
3.  Fail                                                         Moon
4.  Adult                                                       Girl
5.  Work                                                      Child
6.   Lie                                                          Play

Students should also be able to form sentences or answer open ended statements or questions.  The following test item will be in essay form.

Define the words Synonym and Antonym.  Then list at least three examples of each.