7) Assessment and feedback — formative as the engine

• Assessment should support learning (formative), not only judge it (summative).
• Frequent, specific feedback improves metacognition and helps students adjust strategies.

Practical assessment plan:

• Low-stakes checks during lessons (thumbs up/down, exit tickets, short quizzes).
• Provide feedback focused on process and understanding (“You used the formula correctly, but here’s how to think about why it works”).
• Use summative tests as feedback to improve teaching — examine spread of scores to see who was left behind.
• Encourage self- and peer-assessment routines to build metacognitive skills.