Ingunnarskóli - English Assessment

Grades 7 - 10

Students in grades 7 – 10 receive two grades for English on their report card.

  • Curriculum objectives grade (markmiðaeinkunn): the student’s status towards the curriculum goals and objectives.
  • Performance grade (vinnueinkunn): performance and participation in the classroom and completion of homework assignments.

Curriculum objectives grade

Grade Level / Per. (%) / Reading
7-10 / Part of perform. grade / Independent Reading (kjörbókalestur)
  • At the beginning of each class period students read an English book or novel of their choice for 10-20 minutes (depending on the grade level). This silent time helps students to build fluency, increase vocabulary and shape background at their own particular pace.

7-10 / 5% / Reading Log (lestrarskýrsla)
  • A reading log is a logging sheet that assists both student and teacher with recording what book the student is reading, how many pages are read during a class period and the time frame in which the student started and finished the book. Reading logs are used to assess the pace and consistency of how students are reading.

7-10 / (2) 5% per report / Book Reports (kjörbókarskýrslur)
  • Book reports assess the students´ comprehension level of books read and completed during ´´Independent Reading´´ time. Students have to record information on the setting, plot summary, characters, general opinion of the book and reading level. Students must complete two book reports per semester.

7-10 / 10% / Book Talks (bókakynningar)
  • Book Talks are oral presentations given on books in which the student has read. The presentations consist of the students providing information on the title, author, plot summary, their personal recommendation and reading their favorite passage from the book. Book talks assess students´ comprehension level and speaking abilities. Students are required to give one book talk per semester.

7-10 / (2) 10% per exam / Exams (próf)
  • Students are tested on their reading and comprehension skills by participating in exams that consist of short and long reading passages in English. After reading the passages, students must answer questions concerning main idea, story details and vocabulary. Students take two exams per semester.

Grade Level / Per. (%) / Writing
7-10 / N/A / Grammar and Spelling (málfræði og stafsetning)
  • Grammar is the skeleton of any language, therefore, it must be intertwined into all lessons including reading, writing and speaking in order to be effective. Students practice grammar and spelling by editing written work, participating in spelling exams, completing work sheets and participating in class lessons with a grammar and spelling focus.

7-10 / Part of perform. grade / Topic Writing (ritun um ákveðið efni)
  • Students will be assessed on formulating a cohesive paragraph in English. Topic writing teaches students how to focus on one theme or idea and elaborate by providing reasons and details. (Class work based learning)

7-10 / 10% / Writing Portfolio (sýnismappa fyrir ritun)
  • A writing portfolio is a purposeful collection of writing assembled to demonstrate a variety of specified writing. Students are assessed on how well they can adapt and produce writing pieces in the following areas: creative writing, narrative writing and expository or essay writing. Students must produce 1/3 of the required writings per semester.

7-10 / 15% / Exams (próf)
  • Students are tested on their writing skills by participating in exams that consist of short and long writing prompts in English. After reading the prompts provided, students must write a cohesive piece that addresses that details of the particular writing task. Students take two exams per semester.

Grade Level / Speaking and Listening
7-10 / 20% / Oral Presentations (munnleg kynning)
  • Oral presentations assess a students’ ability to discuss a topic fluidly in a public setting. Students are required to speak on a given topic and are assessed in the following areas: content, examples, volume, eye contact and vocabulary. Students must give one oral presentation per semester.

7-10 / N/A / Audio Readings (hlustun)
  • Audio readings allow students to comprehend passages in English that provide a variety of information through storytelling, conversation, monologue, song, etc. This learning approach provides students with another venue to comprehend English and discuss the information provided by the speaker. Students will learn to draw conclusions, give detailed responses, recite words and phrases and repeat information. Several audio readings are used in lesson plans through out each semester.

7-10 / (2) 10% per exam (Also part of reading exam) / Exams (próf)
  • Students are tested on their listening skills by participating in exams that consist of short and long listening sequences in English. After listening to the pieces provided, students must answer questions based on the content of the narrative. Students take two exams per semester.

Semester overview:

  • Listening (20%):
    Exam 1 – 10%
    Exam 2 – 10%
  • Speaking (20%):
    Oral presentation – 20%
  • Writing (25%):
    Portfolio – 10%
    Exam 1 – 7.5%
    Exam 2 – 7.5%
  • Reading (35%):
    Book report 1 – 5%
    Book report 2 – 5%
    Reading log – 5%
    Exam 1 – 7.5%
    Exam 2 – 7.5%
    Book talk – 5%

Performance grade

Homework
(20%) / Returning of completed homework on time.
Comes prepared to class
(20%) / Student comes prepared to class with necessary books and tools (pencil, eraser, etc.)
Behaviour in the classroom
(30%) / The general behaviour of student in the classroom towards peers and teachers (disruptive, helpful, positive etc.).
Classwork – participation
(30%) / Performance in working on and completing tasks in class. General participation in classwork.