Interested in student-driven classrooms? Join Dr. Nancy Sulla @nsulla (author of Students Taking Charge, Its Not What You Teach But How, Building Executive Function: The Missing Link to Student Achievement, and more) and educators from all over in #LATICchat on Thursday nights at 8pm ET. We hope to bring together a community of educators to share insights, stories, examples, pictures from their classrooms, and more. We welcome all educators to join; no need to be running a #LATIC classroom.
Dr. Nancy Sulla here double-teaming at #LATICchat (test-prepping) and #teachmindful (overcoming resistances) ... creator of the Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom #LATIC; author:
A1) It's either ... taking them seriously and not just filling in dots because they're bored ... or not being scared and shutting themselves down! #LATICchat
good point ... what is the felt need for a standardized test? I used to tell my students it was their chance to show off to state department officials! #LATICchat
A2: I love when teachers include questions in the style and format of standardized tests in #formative assessments and practice activities all year long. #LATICchat
A2 it's important to have a plan in place from the beginning of the year to plan on students exposed to test style questions. 4 weeks before the test is too late.
#LATICchat
A2 I use different aspects of the exams on my activity lists for students to develop the skills and familiarity with question types and strategies for success while we cover content. Keep it small and simple. #LATICchat
A4 at the beginning of the year we all commit to being Vikings of education and refuse to allow one test to decide our fate. We then listen to We will Rock You right before the test.
#LATICchat
A4) Put butcher paper on the tables with markers and pens ... tell Ss to write down everything they can remember about what they learned this year ... every 15 minutes, switch up the group until they've filled the sheets with content ... they get excited and confident #LATICchat
A4 We review the curriculum and see the vast amount of topics, details and skills covered and push the idea that we have gone far beyond the test to prepare for anything possible. #LATICchat
A4) I recently came up with a catchphrase while reflecting on a tough fractions lesson. Dave Raffo was there. I asked the kids to explain how they went from “ No to Oh.” That magic moment when they exclaim “Oh, now I get it.” I’m trademarking that . Lol #LATICchat
A5 I think what is called test prep the weeks before a big test is just called good teaching other parts of the year. I have my student experts and use the help board for students to learn from each other! #testprepallyear#LATICchat
A4) I recently came up with a catchphrase while reflecting on a tough fractions lesson. Dave Raffo was there. I asked the kids to explain how they went from “ No to Oh.” That magic moment when they exclaim “Oh, now I get it.” I’m trademarking that . Lol #LATICchat
A5 Collaboration and feedback are essential elements of S success. Sharing POV's as well as definitions, interests and skill interpretation are all possible in many ways in a LATIC. Partners, Share Docs, Padlet, Home Groups, SGML's so many opps. #LATICchat
Essentially, if you have a well-run #LATIC learning environment, retention is no longer a problem ... kids know their stuff ... it's more about handling the testing situation ... prep them for that! #LATICchat
A6 I remind students there is nothing on the test they haven't already learned. Glory is achieved through battle and this day, our battle is the test.
#LATICchat
A6) I remind them that a test doesn’t define their learning journey and they should see it only as another way to show off all the work they’ve put in. #LATICchat
A4: #LATICchat When you have the skills and tools, the tests are just a chance to show all you’ve got and make it look easy no matter what comes your way.
A6 Take your time, do your best like you have all year. Only points for correct information no point for finishing first or finishing early. Use every second they give you. #LATICchat
Not to mention they feel tied to the material because of the real world issues and problems from their own world they grappled with to learn the content in a LATIC. #LATICchat
A6) For the ELA I tell them to enjoy the stories. Some are really interesting . For the math test I remind them that they have freedom in how they show their work . It’s some sense of control . #LATICchat
A6: Last year my daughter's teacher sent home index cards and secretly asked parents to write a note for each testing day. My daughter still talks about it. I am making it a tradition! #LATICchat
Great idea, with my Lacrosse Team each player writes a positive note to each team mate. Ten we give them the rubber banded deck - for tough days and moments. Grind Deck! #LATICchat
A7) This year I may have the students cover a closet door with post its for themselves and each other with encouraging messages like. The title could be “We have tests success covered.” We will cover the door with encouragement. #LATICchat
