I teach on the third (top) floor of a middle school that has no air conditioning and a majority population that is still in the problematic hygiene stage of their lives. The oppressive heat wave matched with a calendar that is dwindling days away at a snail’s rate has created a great deal of tension. Melt-downs are now figurative and literal. Thus, I will readily admit that this week has involved more of a survival plan rather than a GAME plan. Luckily, part of my survival plan involved giving my students an assignment that required the computer lab which is one of the only air conditioned rooms in the building. This allowed me some free time to discuss my technology goals with the building computer technician. In reference to this week’s questions about the little I have been able to achieve here is a quick synopsis:
Q: How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
A: I have met with the administration and computer technician about the common assessments our department is developing. This has created a good basis of knowledge and the building technician now recognizes me as the person to go to with new information about the assessments as I have become the spokesperson for my grade level. I feel comfortable with exploring the assessments more and plan to do so next year. Of course this is dependent of whether or not I will have a job next year which they still haven’t told me.
Q: What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
A: I have learned that I am expected to teach to the test as stated by my curriculum head. However, I cannot teach to the test if the programming is still flawed. Therefore, I have to continue teaching with my own methods until all the glitches can be worked out. I can also try creating some small quizzes that involve computers as a practice method for myself and the students for the common assessments which will eventually be all on the computer.
Q: What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
A: I still have no opportunity for learning about professional development leadership roles. Perhaps next year will provide more fodder for my GAME plan. I am beginning to wonder about the various methods of professional development that occur in different districts. This is the first year we are having PD days after school ends and next year we will have seven throughout the year instead of four. I am curious to learn how other districts work as an understanding of this may make me a better candidate for a leadership role in the future.
Q: How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
A: I can use the added responsibility from the assessments to work on my leadership skills. By combining the two goals, I will at least gain a little experience in both before the year ends. Otherwise, I would have to put my leadership goal to the side excepting research.
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Miss Mellor
ReplyDeleteWhat tests are you referring to that are still having their kinks worked out? I just gave a new benchmark test today, that I created for all 7th graders to take, so that we can evaluate how well they are learning the topics. However, since I am not a professional test writer, I am affraid that there is more flaw in my test writing than in the students knowledge etc. I am sure that as the years go on and I continue to tweak the test, I will have more and more success in this form of evaluation.
I am on the second/top floor with exhaust fans from the kitchen outside my window w/o AC- great idea to get computer lab time!!
Best of luck with the rest of your year.
Christine
We have common assessments. They were created by us teachers during professional development days last year and the year before that. We literally took the tests of all the present teachers and cut/pasted the questions into one standard test that has multiple choice and open-ended questions. Now all students in the district take the same test for the topics of genetics, physical science, and astronomy in eighth grade. We have issues with typos, poor grammar, and incorrect math. Of course, there is also the issue of comparison between teachers rather than using the scores to directly drive instruction.
ReplyDeleteMiss Mellor,
ReplyDeleteThe common question of should we teach to the test? I have mixed feelings on this one. I believe we should teach good test taking skills and then give them the curriculum the best we can. I have always felt if we just teach to the test something is lost. I believe that if we make students perform better in all aspects their performance on the test will take care of itself. Good luck!
I can completely agree and sympathize with your comments about the last week of school, heat, and student hygiene. I have taken the approach the last few years that it is kinder if one of us has a talk with a student about personal hygiene than if one of their peers does it. I will simply tell a student they smell and they need to fix it. Maybe I am mean, but if I was that age and did not know I would want someone to tell me. Part of me is glad to hear that the last days of school are trying everywhere, not just at my school. We all need a break!
Scott Monthie
I hear what you are saying about "teaching to the test." That is very frustrating. I have had to do this for years and after we have given our standardized tests at the end of the year, that is when I feel like I can "really teach like I was trained to do in college." What a great feeling that is. Maybe sometime in the near future it will all be fixed and smoothed out. Know you are not alone and many people feel your pain.
ReplyDelete