tests, tests, tests!

[clcampbell]

Children are now being tested more than ever. My question is how do you keep students focused on doing their best? Also, what do you do to keep control in the classroom?

Thanks,
Clarissa

[Chef Dave]

Children are now being tested more than ever. My question is how do you keep students focused on doing their best? Also, what do you do to keep control in the classroom?


Are you asking these questions out of idle curiosity or are you a college student soliciting answers for a homework assignment?

[Aziz]

Clarissa,

I think that tests in general serve as obstacles in the learning process. Students learn to become motivated by grades rather than by the joy of learning. They either feel pressured and become competitive or they feel bitter and become hostile because the school system doesn't suit them.

I do give tests and quizzes because I know some students excel in test-taking. I format my tests to feel nothing like a test, though. I think that for the most part, a test doesn't evaluate the student's knowledge. It evaluates his/her ability to study for Aziz's test.

I design my class to be as learning-oriented as possible (as opposed to evaluation-oriented), allowing as much time as possible for interesting discussions. For instance, I'll have students discuss how to spend quality time with family when they're learning the Spanish family vocabulary. I'm always amazed how much more they learn the new vocabulary than if I gave them a quiz with the English words and asked them to translate them.

I think by preserving this sincere joy in learning and eliminating the pressure to do well on tests, students naturally focus. Since they're engaged, they don't goof off as much in class.

-Aziz

[Boxcar]

You posted in the Early Childhood section. Did you intend to? I'll respond like you did.

NEVER give very young children traditional tests!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subtle assesments of the child through observation are fine, but any type of exam the child knows about is not.

I can set up activities about shapes and colors, if I want to asses the children's knowledge of these things. While the children are playing with the materials in a natural manner, I might note that Kylie doesn't know the colors yet. I know this because when she asks for the orange block, she points at the purple one. The teacher can ask a question like "Jeanina, hand me the circle piece please." every once in awhile during teacher-student play. These questions should be few and far between, however. You don't want to interigate the child.

There are tests that can be given by qualified professionals for diagnosing a special need, but that is a whole different concept.

As for control of the classroom, I perfer to make the punishment fit the crime. No time outs or anything like that.

I also like the avoidant strategies. An enviroment that allows a child to behave is essential. For example, a teacher needs to anticipate problems and work to eliminate them. I know that in a toddler and beginning threes room, there should be duplicates of toys. These children are not ready to share yet. We can work on it, but we shouldn't expect it to be fully understood at this age.

[PuppetMatt]

Children are now being tested more than ever. My question is how do you keep students focused on doing their best? Also, what do you do to keep control in the classroom?

Thanks,
Clarissa

If you're looking to "keep control of the classroom," you're looking at it from the wrong direction.

The classroom is set up so that students naturally learn to respect the environment. They should be able to develop a self-discipline within themselves that they remain in control on their own.

When the environment is right, there is little correction to do. If you have a lot of unecessary (and unhealthy) rules and regulations in the environment, your classroom will reflect that.

Matt

[terina00]

I teach kindergarten, and I do a lot of assessing. I have 17 assessments I am curently working with each of my students. I do sometimes feel that all I do is assess!

With the kids, I rarely ever call what I am doing with them "tests" or even "assessments" . Usually, it's just "Come over here and work with me." Honestly, at this age, they just love doing it too! It's something different, and they ESPECIALLY love the more one-on-one attention they get when they work with me. They are usually begging me to let them do it, even if they already did! I do try to be very possitive during these times; if they get the answer wrong, I still tell them "good job", because this isn't a teaching time, it is an assessing time, and I don't want them to get stressed about testing at this young age.

Also, my kids get stickers for their sticker charts when they are being good, and whenever they do an assessment with me, I give them a sticker. If they are being lazy or not listening, I send them back to their seat without a sticker, and they only get it when they complete the assessment.

[silvana]

I think there is a real danger that education in the 21st century will be totally assessment led .....that is all the learning taking place is geared to a perscriptive set of assessments with little or no creativity by teacher or learner .....learning should be a more than that ...

[Berrington]

Have your students do "song and stretch" breaks in between testing. Have them pretend to climb Mt Everest (or a place in your state), swim in sticky goo, or shake like a dog. Be creative, but let them move!

[Boxcar]

I LOVE the sticky goo idea. Definetly going in my transition repitoire. I'd never thought of that one. :) :) :)