Rationale

                                                                   My Rationale

     I developed the first three questions for the learner to identify the beginning, middle and end of the story because this matched my first learning outcome. They were also challenge test questions. Matching items, according to Kubiszyn and Borich (2010),  and matching pictures with the sequence in the story and then writing about it, helps to measure association of facts.  I believe that since my first three test questions ask the student to rewrite key points in the story, they are demonstrating comprehension skills.

     My fourth question is a circle the right answer—multiple choice using pictures question—to determine if the children met the learning outcome of identifying main character and setting of the story. As Kubiszyn and Borich (2010) explain, an benefit of multiple choice test questions is that the scoring is unbiased; the teacher simply scores by determining if students mark the correct answer. Using Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, an objective test question was the most appropriate because childre might have vaarious answers, but using this format provides a clear correct or incorrect answer.

     As for the fifth  and sixth essay questions, a higher order of thinking was required. In the sixth question, the children are able to complete an essay by filling in the blanks with their vocabulary words as suggested by Kubiszyn and Borich (2010). This shows comprehension and the ability to relate those vocabulary words to new ideas outside of the story. To expand even further on this higher-order thinking, I asked the children to describe a job they would like and why by writing and drawing it. In this way, I believe they are able to reconstruct ideas from the story and create a new character, in fact becoming the new character, as they join Lilly and her classmates in imagining a career they would like. Consequently, I do believe these test and essay items will clearly measure the intended learning out comes.

                                                                  Reference

Kubiszyn, T., & Borich, G. (2010). Educational testing & measurement: Classroom application

     and practice (9th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.