Comments on: Here Comes Trouble http://doucwhatic.edublogs.org/2008/02/23/here-comes-trouble/ What I do with what I see... Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:49:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: sisjulie1 http://doucwhatic.edublogs.org/2008/02/23/here-comes-trouble/#comment-33 sisjulie1 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:13:56 +0000 http://doucwhatic.edublogs.org/2008/02/23/here-comes-trouble/#comment-33 I'm with you all the way on this! Guess who the only teacher is in her building who did not order review books? You guessed it. I even had someone I respect recommend that I calendar out all the GLE's and review and reteach one per day until MAP. The only problem with that--some take more than a day. For example, right now I am teaching ordering decimals and my kids are getting it. But it took several days of games, activities to get to "get it". I'm not being vocal about my lack of test prep though. I'm just going in my room and teaching. I am reviewing things from the beginning of the year with fun, short activities. For instance--go to this website and play this game on multiples. Then do a hand-up/pair-up with some cool music and answer a question with a partner and share out. Other than those quick reviews--I'm just teaching and the kids are learning. I hope and pray that learning shows up on the test, but even if it doesn't I have to go to bed at night and know that I taught these kids skills they'll need in life. After that I just pray this test obsession goes away soon! I’m with you all the way on this! Guess who the only teacher is in her building who did not order review books? You guessed it. I even had someone I respect recommend that I calendar out all the GLE’s and review and reteach one per day until MAP. The only problem with that–some take more than a day. For example, right now I am teaching ordering decimals and my kids are getting it. But it took several days of games, activities to get to “get it”.

I’m not being vocal about my lack of test prep though. I’m just going in my room and teaching. I am reviewing things from the beginning of the year with fun, short activities. For instance–go to this website and play this game on multiples. Then do a hand-up/pair-up with some cool music and answer a question with a partner and share out. Other than those quick reviews–I’m just teaching and the kids are learning. I hope and pray that learning shows up on the test, but even if it doesn’t I have to go to bed at night and know that I taught these kids skills they’ll need in life. After that I just pray this test obsession goes away soon!

]]> By: Cynthia http://doucwhatic.edublogs.org/2008/02/23/here-comes-trouble/#comment-32 Cynthia Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:58:34 +0000 http://doucwhatic.edublogs.org/2008/02/23/here-comes-trouble/#comment-32 You know that this is exactly my belief, so I say go for it, BFF! But then again, I've been known to get myself in trouble for my beliefs. ;-) All kidding aside, I do truly believe that you can't prepare kids for the MAP test (or any other of those wonderful standardized tests) by cramming a bunch of review stuff in during the couple weeks preceding the test. If we teach kids to learn and think for themselves, then they should be successful without the cram sessions. Just my opinion. :) You know that this is exactly my belief, so I say go for it, BFF! But then again, I’ve been known to get myself in trouble for my beliefs. ;-) All kidding aside, I do truly believe that you can’t prepare kids for the MAP test (or any other of those wonderful standardized tests) by cramming a bunch of review stuff in during the couple weeks preceding the test. If we teach kids to learn and think for themselves, then they should be successful without the cram sessions. Just my opinion. :)

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