Spelling Assessments
One way to assess your students' spelling is through the use of CAFE (Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency Evaluation). The CAFE does not measure students' ability to compose; rather it measures their ability to write as many words correctly (accuracy) in a given amount of time (fluency). The teacher assesses how many one-syllable and multiplesyllable words (complexity) students have written. This assessment can be administered to an entire class and is appropriate for any grade. After you provide your student(s) with the CAFE sheet, follow these steps:
1. Give students ten minutes to fill in the boxes with only one word per box.
2. Instruct them to write a word only once, not to use people's names, or abbreviations, or numerals (unless they spell out the word).
3. Instruct them to write any words they want- words that explain what they like to do or eat, or that describe what they can smell, feel, see, or touch, or words that describe places.
4. When you administer CAFE, the room should be free from environmental print or the students' desks should be turned so they cannot see any words or other printed materials.
This assessment will allow you to learn about the strengths and weakness of students' word-writing skills.
1. Give students ten minutes to fill in the boxes with only one word per box.
2. Instruct them to write a word only once, not to use people's names, or abbreviations, or numerals (unless they spell out the word).
3. Instruct them to write any words they want- words that explain what they like to do or eat, or that describe what they can smell, feel, see, or touch, or words that describe places.
4. When you administer CAFE, the room should be free from environmental print or the students' desks should be turned so they cannot see any words or other printed materials.
This assessment will allow you to learn about the strengths and weakness of students' word-writing skills.