Today your child is bringing home their first collection of Maths assessments, along with a reflection document they have used to better understand their work. They are bringing it home so that you may have a better understanding of their mathematical thinking and progress.

These assessments should be understood as being a snapshot of student understanding on a particular day at a particular time, in a particular way of demonstrating mathematical thinking. This particular way of assessing understanding may present an incomplete picture of student progress. It is for this reason that many forward-thinking institutions have moved away from written assessments as the sole way of testing and grading. ZIS is no exception and these assessments represent only one of several ways data on a student’s mathematical thinking is collected.

These assessments are being sent home primarily to enrich your conversations with your child about their math thinking and learning. Please take the time to look at them with your child, alongside their reflection. Then, sign them (somewhere obvious) and return them promptly to school. I would appreciate them returned by next Tuesday, November 29. If you require more time, please let me know.

Additionally, several students have still not returned their Personal Narratives. These had been requested to be returned by last Friday, one week ago. Please help your child to return them on Monday.