As a biology teacher, the big news is the upcoming standardized test for all the biology students. DC is piloting a test, and my 9th graders are all going to have to take it in May. I have basically ignored that this test is coming. This has served the class well, and the students seem to enjoy what we are doing. Suddenly this attitude is not going to work. The students have caught wind of this test, and they are getting anxious. Even though this test is a “pilot” year, the students are concerned, and want to do well. So now I am left with the dilemma, create a class that the students can still enjoy, yet teach to the test.
So what do I do? I choose to dive head first and let the students dictate where we are going next. There are several topics that are going to appear on the test that we have yet to discuss, plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, evolution, viruses, bacteria and fungi. I told the students this and said, “Vote on the topic that we should start with.” Now we are going to learn about vertebrates as dictated by the students. Then next, we’ll see. I think this is the balance that I need, interest the students and allow them to critically dictate the course, but also learn for the test.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
It's amazing how contagious test anxiety can be. It's a shame that your students are impacted by it, but I think you did the right thing by concentrating on your teaching and not getting wrapped on this whole "teaching to the test" concept. Yet, you have given them an outlet to prepare for the test and still retain the material you originally wanted to teach them. I think it was wise to validate their concern over the test and have them decide what topic was most pressing. You show a great amount of respect for your students. Keep us posted on how things go!
That sounds like an interesting idea. I wish that my students could just pick what they wanted to learn in history. But I understand the pressures of testing. Pressures from the kids, from other teachers, from the admin, its awful. It takes some of hte joy out of teaching when people are constantly asking about tests. I have found that I just get out the information I need to and leave the rest of the time for fun stuff. Clearly my system does not work out so well, but yours seems pretty sweet. Good luck with the testing
Post a Comment