This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Just when you think they get it
We had a chapter test Tuesday. I thought the kids had grasped the concept. For the most part we done our work, listened in class, and even studied in small groups. Out text book has an online website where the students can take a online quiz. We used out study group to take the quiz. The grades with these groups were significantly higher than when we take them with a 2 person group. I though they had mastered the material. Then the test came. Some of the lowest scores I have seen in two years of teaching. What to do what to do? My good students all aced the test, most with a 100. However my middle of the pack and lower royally bombed it. I'm seriously thinking about teaching the chapter over again. What's the opinions out there about teaching the whole unit over again? Where do we draw the line on lazy students? To make matters worse, I read all my classes EVERY question on the test the day before.......
IF you decide to teach the unit over again, I suggest that you poll the students FIRST to find out why they think they did poorly. You should also analyze their test item responses to see what they missed. By doing this, you may be able to figure out why they missed certain test questions. Look for patterns in what your students answered incorrectly on the test.
ReplyDeleteIf the students did poorly because they didn't prepare for the test, then I suggest you do a short unit on study skills, test preparation skills, and test taking skills. The issue may be that the students have weak academic skills, and if that's the case teaching the same unit over again won't benefit them. They need to learn how to learn, and they need test taking strategies.
If they simply lack the motivation to study, try to motivate your students by offering "rewards" for doing well on the test. Okay, that's my advice.
If you think that you have done a good job teaching the lesson just do another review and let only those who did not do good on the test re-do it. I would suggest that if you decide to give a re-take that you have something constructive for those who will not do the test.
ReplyDeletei did offer rewards...i told them that if every member of their group scored a 75 or hight i woudl give their group 5 extra points...i dont think any group got the bonus points
ReplyDelete