A KWL chart is a three-column graphic organizer that helps a teacher assess what students know about perimeter. The K stands for what students "know," the W stands for what students "want" to know and the L stands for what students "learn." The teacher begins the activity by asking students to list everything they know about perimeter and writing the students' answers in the K column. The teacher then asks the students to list everything they want to know about perimeter and writes the answers in the W column. After completing the first two columns, the teacher can assess whether the planned lesson will appropriately address the needs of the students and adjust if necessary. After the lesson is complete, the students will share what they have learned, which is recorded in the L column.
A good way to pre-assess middle school students about the topic of perimeter is to ask them to draw what they think perimeter is. The teacher directs the students to draw on a blank sheet of paper what they think perimeter is. The students should also include a short description of their drawing of perimeter underneath the picture. The teacher can use these drawings to gauge what prior knowledge the students have of perimeter and ensure that an appropriate lesson has been planned.
A pre-test that will help a teacher assess what prior knowledge middle school students have. The teacher creates a test with five to 10 shapes and requires the students to find the perimeter of each shape. For students who are able to correctly solve the perimeter for all shapes, an alternate activity should be provided, such as a project involving perimeter or and independent study on perimeter. The pre-test will allow the teacher to ensure that the lesson on perimeter will be relevant to students.
A concept map is a graphic organizer that helps teachers pre-assess students' knowledge of perimeter. The teacher directs students to write down specific words or phrases that relate to perimeter. After writing down several words or phrases, the teacher will guide the students to visualize how these different words are connected to the concept of perimeter. The resulting work will be a map that demonstrates how the students think about perimeter. This useful tool will help guide the teacher to better teach the concept of perimeter to middle school students.