Happy New Year, friends!
We made it! A brand new year, a brand new decade, and just in time for ... testing season!! :-( If you teach in any grade that has high stakes testing at any point in the year, then this post is for you. If you are one of the lucky teachers who doesn't need to worry about it, then read on so you can understand what your colleagues are going through. Because. It. Sucks.
Parents start stressing out their children. They don't mean to, and they mean well. After all, they love their children... but I find that when testing season comes around each year, parents start amping up the pressure to do well in school so they are ready for the TEST.
We are also stressed out. (I mean we always are, but this is different.) Teachers and schools are evaluated based on how well (or poorly) students perform on a test. Which is ridiculous to say the least, but I am preaching to the choir now.
And let's not forget our students. Their stress shows up in many different forms - from anxiety to meltdowns to throwing up to not sleeping - we have seen it all.
Yes, you need to review, and review, and review, and ... but it doesn't need to be worksheet after worksheet, after mind numbing worksheet! Make your test prep FUN and ENGAGING! I like to incorporate games into my weekly plans already, but you can easily do this with old tests...
1) Play Scoot with test questions: Go back to those questions that stumped your students on tests or any assignment, put one question per desk, and have your students move around the room to answer the questions. They are up and moving. I allow students to work in pairs if needed, so they are talking about the content. And they are ENGAGED! More than if you gave them the same content in standard worksheet form.
2) Play 4 Corners: Give students time to work out a problem at their seats. Again, I allow then to work in pairs if they want to. Once all students have completed the problem they move to the corner you designate. (So corner one, if they think the answer is A. Corner 2, if they think the answer is B- and so on.
3) Keep track of who is understanding the review and who needs an extra small group for added support. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. A clip board and the standard(s) each game is addressing is all you need as you walk around. Jot down names and a comment about what students are struggling with as they work. Easy peasy!
I would love to know what you do to keep the test prep engaging. Please leave your idea(s) in the comment section below.
Good luck to you and your students!
See you soon,
Sandra @The Happy Learning Den
With massive number of|numerous|a lot of} bonuses and a beneficiant VIP program, both new and present gamers are well sorted. Over 2,000 video games are available in all, coming from software providers corresponding to Microgaming, NetEnt and Evolution Gaming. 1XBet can also be|can be} an excellent on line 점보카지노 casino for high rollers, because of of} giant bets and payouts.
ReplyDelete