about teaching is ASSESSMENTS. Ugh, they take soooo long. We don’t give grades in kindergarten, which I think is very
wise. So much of kindergarten is developmental and sometimes kids just need
time to get all of their ducks in a row (or for the light bulb to come on).:)
each objective for each grading period and often the previous grading periods
too. This includes alllllllllllll
letters, sounds, sight words, numbers, etc. Geez Louise, it's a lot.
Before this year, I would create spreadsheet after spreadsheet
with everything assessed. Then, I would go through each student’s spreadsheet
and write down areas of weakness. THEN, I would combine list after list to
create my groups. OMGoodness. What a hot mess! That’s enough to send a girl
straight to the wine bottle.
their software a week before I started my assessments for the first grading
period. Perfect timing. It was like…laaaaa (cue
angels, lol), a gift from above. It only took me about 15 minutes to add my class and sign up. Then, I had my teammates sign up for the free trial too so we could all
venture in to this together. I wanted to see the benefit for our administration
because from what I saw, the ability to see the data was pretty sweet. (They have a video on the website that has a great overview).
amazing software. I can complete my
assessments in less than half the time it previously took. I have a small
laptop in my room (but you could use your phone or ipad too) that I have next
to me for testing. I chose to create my own assessments based upon my report
card (which is totally easy) but ESGI has dozens of fabulous pre-made assessments.
I pull up the assessments and test each student. I don’t have to write anything
down or flip flash cards or point to letters. I just click my mouse and
everything is done for me. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
ESGI was created by a kindergarten teacher. That makes me happy
because you know we are a breed of our own and you have to live our world to
understand it. So, let me show you a few things I love!
graph for each objective. For example, I tested students a week after I taught
the letter “i”. After reviewing the bar graph, I realized that I had
some reteaching to do because too many of my kids said the incorrect sound. I
LOVE this. This holds ME accountable in a more visual way.
So, why am I sharing this? Well, because I wish someone had told me about this years ago. My time is precious and because of ESGI, I am not pulling my hair out when doing assessments. What's the catch? Well, yes it costs money. Everything does. Sadsville I know but it is worth it. Not to mention that ESGI has an amazing team that you can call and get help any time. They are previous educators and really have a heart for helping teachers. I love this so much that I shared it with my principal who shared it with our assistant superintendent of curriculum. If the district can't purchase it we already have plan B and will write a grant. Yes, it is that important to us.
Kelly says
lol! I'm watching Person of Interest too! Love!
sandyj559 says
Thanks for sharing. It is always great to hear about new things from people who have tried them. I hope I win, but good luck to everyone.
Kim Schoeler says
Crystal,
Is this program only for kindergarten? I am intrigued and my principal is always asking what he can do to help make our job easier. If this is something that could be used by all grade levels, we may be jumping in with both feet!
Thanks, Kim
Crystal says
Kim,
I'm not sure how you would use this for other grade levels since they take grades but I'm sure the wonderful ESGI people would be happy to answer any questions. 🙂
Melinda Cook says
Hi Kim! ESGI is primarily used by PreK – 1st grade teachers, Resource and Reading Specialists, Special Education, ELL, and other educators that assess one-on-one. However, we have other projects in the works that will be useful PK-6, so we hope to have an app you will love, soon!"
Sarah says
Thank you! I signed up for the free trial!
Sarah says
I hope I win the year version. This appears to be exactly what I am looking for!
Lisa Byrd says
Thank you! I feel like I am assessing ALL the time!!!! I will def. sign up for the free trial! Lisa
byrdland@swoi.net
Crystal says
Also, I just wanted you to know that NO CREDIT CARD IS REQUIRED to sign up for the ESGI 60-day trial, and therefore; users don't have to cancel prior to the expiration date to avoid any charges. 🙂
Diane Walter says
I would love to win this so I can share info with parents in a better way. dwalter16@hotmail.com
Claire064 says
Assessments are a necessary evil! This. Would be so helpful. Claire.mcloughlin@owasso.k12.ok.us
Kcarlson1 says
My whole district is using this for Kinder this year. Our gnaw report card is just the ESGI printout! I love that it is so easy to use!!!
Ann Spencer says
This my 3rd year using ESGI — I can assess alphabet knowledge in about 30 minutes on the FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN. It is SO helpful for showing growth and just takes a minute to do. I would pay for it myself if the school didn't graciously buy it for us.
Tracey says
This is my 2nd year using ESGI…I love it!
Jennifer Brown says
Thank you for your ideas! I too spend hours physically doing the data…uuuggghhhh! AND I love Person of Interest!
ps…can I have a copy of your sight word sticker chart? or is it somewhere I haven't found?
Thank you
Charme' says
LOVE ESGI!! We've been using it for close to five years. We use it for our progress reports and our report cards. Love the customization. And you are right about the ESGI team, they are great to work with and always quick to respond if you need help.
ldemello says
this looks great – i signed up for the free trial :o)
Robin Carrier says
Our district just started using ESGI this year. Our Kinder team LOVES it! So easy to use and the resources you receive along with the assessment piece are amazing. I love that I can walk around with my ipad and assess kids "on the fly…" 🙂
Luv My Kinders says
I just started using ESGI last month. It is super! Thanks for highlighting this program. I learned several new things. I am embarrassed to say that I did not know I could customize the assessments. I was so busy when I started I just used the preset assessments. I am adding my own tomorrow!
~Laura
luvarbon2@sbcglobal.net
Natalie Argumaniz says
I think you may have saved my life! This is only my second year in Kinder and I feel like every time I turn around its time to assess again, whether for report cards or progress reports. I'm drowning in spreadsheets and data that takes hours to transfer. Needless to say, I'm getting this free trial and jumping straight in!! 🙂
Maryann says
I would love to win this for report card testing. I just finished assessments for the 1 st marking period and it took FOREVER! I love the idea having graphs and also the cards to practice at home. I saw this young man at a convention and wanted to get it but….. Anyway thanks for your imput to making life easier!
Maryann
brennemm@carlisleschools.org
Karyn says
Okay I LOVE this! I've set up all my students and cannot wait to use it on Monday! Thanks so much for sharing! I love Person of Interest too! It's getting so unbelievably good!
Karyn
A is for Apple B is for Blog
Kideducator@comcast.net
Betsy Brown says
I am starting my two month trial tomorrow while my kinder-bears are busy working on Thanksgiving projects. I wish I had started earlier since I'll be losing three weeks of time for T-Day break and Winter Break, but it gives me more time to convince Santa I need this for my big gift this year. Thanks for inspiring me to do what I knew I should have done. Hopefully, I'll be able to share the data with my principal and she'll buy for the whole grade-level next year.
Angela Urso says
I waited to sign up to get as much use out of the free trial as I possibly can with Thanksgiving and Winter Break. It looks great so far, I can't wait to start using it with my kids on Tuesday
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