Peer Assessment
Students give each other structured feedback on work, using clear criteria — building communication, critical thinking and the ability to give and receive feedback gracefully.
How it is done well
Peer assessment requires structure. Children are taught to give feedback against specific criteria — 'two stars and a wish', 'glow and grow', 'I noticed... I wonder...' — rather than vague praise or criticism. Anonymous peer review is sometimes used for sensitive work. Pairs and small groups are most common in primary years.
Why it matters
Reading and responding to other people's work sharpens a child's own writing and thinking. Receiving structured feedback teaches resilience — separating the message from the messenger. Both are skills that pay off long after school.
Peer review at Yajur
Children at Yajur Public School practise peer review from Class 2 — with clear criteria, modelled language and teacher guidance. Drafts of writing, science experiments and group projects are commonly peer-reviewed before submission.
Related terms
Self-Assessment
A structured practice where students evaluate their own work against agreed criteria — strengthening metacognition, ownership of learning and self-direction.
Rubric Assessment
A grid that lays out what 'beginning', 'developing', 'proficient' and 'excellent' look like for each criterion — turning subjective judgement into transparent, consistent evaluation.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The structured teaching of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making — alongside academic content.