#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
Q1 : Giving math tests can be equally rewarding and frustrating. As a teacher, are you seeing what skills your students really understood or what skills you thought your students understood? #5thchat
A1: Im not teaching math this year, but I'm able to see all their scores and the scoring sheet our math teacher uses. She is really good about knowing where the kids are and what they still need to work on. #5thchat
Q2: Is it appropriate for the test to be the end goal or should we as teachers be focused on students learning and preparedness for the next grade level as the end goal? #5thchat
A1: As a theatre teacher, my evaluation of students' learning is not through tests; rather, through the culmination of practices, classes, and rehearsals in a show. I think my interpretation of what they are grasping in class doesn't always show in a final performance. #5thchat
Q1 : Giving math tests can be equally rewarding and frustrating. As a teacher, are you seeing what skills your students really understood or what skills you thought your students understood? #5thchat
Q3: Video games attract people for many reasons. How fun would a video game be if you bought it & you were only allowed to lose once? Would you get better and eventually master that game? Would you be motivated to buy another game? #5thchat
A2: I believe students' learning and preparedness is the ultimate end goal. However tests (in whatever form!) are good ways to measure how and what students are learning best, and how we as teachers can improve on helping them grow! #5thchat
Q2: Is it appropriate for the test to be the end goal or should we as teachers be focused on students learning and preparedness for the next grade level as the end goal? #5thchat
A2: The goal should b student learning. Tests aren't perfect measures bc the ppl making them aren't perfect at decoding student understanding. Test corr's allow Ss the opp 2 work through the material they didn't quite grasp & gain more knowledge/understanding.
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A3: Most things we learn in life, we need several chances to get it right. We didn't learn to tie or shoes or ride a bike the first time we tried, why should math skills be different? If we allow kids another chance, we are telling them we believe they can do it! #5thchat
A3: Great analogy. Too often Ts end up delivering a "drill, drill, drill" type of reaching rather than an environment 4 growth, true learning/understanding & a love for curiosity of knowledge.
A3: Awesome analogy! Fostering a classroom with a growth mindset will ultimately benefit those students who don't always grasp a concept on the first try, and it will teach the whole classroom that it's important to keep pursuing a goal despite setbacks. #5thchat
Q3: Video games attract people for many reasons. How fun would a video game be if you bought it & you were only allowed to lose once? Would you get better and eventually master that game? Would you be motivated to buy another game? #5thchat
A4: Yes, if they don't analyze why they missed something, how will they know to do differently the next time? If we hand back a test and that's it, there is no opportunity for growth on things they may still need to work on. So important to learn from our mistakes. #5thchat
A4: I think setting goals within specific classes and at school in general is a wonderful way for kids to track their individual growth and focus on being their best selves! Analyzing missed problems is also very helpful for teacher and student to solve future mistakes. #5thchat
A4: Definitely! 4 my Ss yes their grade is important bc their GPA matters in HS, but them working thru 2 truly grasp where their understanding of the material may have gone awry is more important. We need 2 put scaffolds in place to help facilitate this thru...
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A4: ...reteaching & providing test corrections. Retesting only helps when adequate time has been provided for them to truly learn what they hadn't fully grasped before
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Q5: Will students who complete a reflection where they identify what behavior needs to change for them to improve on the next test, benefit from this process? #5thchat
A4: I truly believe we learn best when we learn from our mistakes. If students are given the chance to figure out WHY they missed something and how to fix it, they will have a better understanding of the topic. #5thchat
A5: Yes! At the HS level it can b difficult, but having these discussions w the Ss is vital to their learning & the culture of your classroom. It shows the Ss that their opinion & their actions matter - 2 you, themselves & their peers.
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A5: Yes! Self-reflecting on mistakes or behavior provides the valuable chance for students to think about how they approach school and studying, and possibly change their methods. #5thchat
Q5: Will students who complete a reflection where they identify what behavior needs to change for them to improve on the next test, benefit from this process? #5thchat
A5 Reflection on their learning is such an integral part of the process. Just today a colleague shared which students had process errors and which had fact errors and that will lead to a great discussion-both the teachers and students benefit from the reflection #5thchat
A5: Absolutely! Self-reflection helps students see themselves as a learner and it will help them as they get older to be better problem solvers. It will also teach them what works form them as they learn how to study. #5thchat
A2: I wish we would get away from tests. The focus needs to be S learning and preparation for life. I’d like to see a PBL/authentic assessment focus. While tests give information about S understanding, the meaningfulness of that info is short lived if Ss don’t retain it. #5thchat
A6: I think that depends on the nature of the errors and the student. If the student is missing foundational skills or not understanding the problem solving structure, then reteaching would be necessary. #5thchat
A6: Sometimes. Depending on the type of learner(s) doing the TC, they may need more help facilitating this. If Ss have SLDs in math problem solving or math calc, it is vital 2 at least provide supp aides/scaffolding 4 their understanding & learning.
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A6: I'm not sure it's always necessary but I always do it, it gives an opportunity to see where misconceptions lie and what needs more attention. I've been trying to reteach each standard students haven't mastered in small groups once or twice a week #5thchat
A6: Depending on the student and how they learn, it may be necessary and beneficial to ensure that students grasp the foundational concept. It's always good to revisit a topic than to skip over it! #5thchat
A6: Giving back a test they struggled on & expecting them 2 now all if a sudden understand the concepts they had missed is laughable. Some sort of guide needs to be in place to help them learn to problem solve & gain the skills
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Q7: All students learn at different rates. Sometimes kids take longer to learn a skill than others. By giving students the ability to retake a test, how does that instill the value of growth mindset & improvement? #5thchat
Last Question!
Q8: Sometimes, our hardest working kids take advantage of revising their tests while many of our struggling students don't. How can we help all of our students make the best of their opportunities to revise their tests? #5thchat
A7: It shows that you value their learning rather than their test taking abilities. Providing another chance shows them that when they work hard, they have the opp 2 achieve. This growth mindset is extremely valuable in/out of the class.
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A7: This is such an encouraging, wonderful way for students to learn from a young age that taking time to grasp a concept is OKAY! :) They can learn that making mistakes in life is normal as long as we self-reflect and try even harder next time. #5thchat
Q7: All students learn at different rates. Sometimes kids take longer to learn a skill than others. By giving students the ability to retake a test, how does that instill the value of growth mindset & improvement? #5thchat
A8: Through individualized attention on the struggling students, we can provide them with the opportunity to grow and see the positive results of hard work. Once they see what they're capable of, they have the chance to flourish on their own. #5thchat
Last Question!
Q8: Sometimes, our hardest working kids take advantage of revising their tests while many of our struggling students don't. How can we help all of our students make the best of their opportunities to revise their tests? #5thchat
A7: they also need to be able to help decide when they are ready for the test, not just give it to them because everyone has to do it at the same time. #5thchat
A8: It takes time, but setting up materials ahead of time 4 allows the higher level Ss 2 more independently relearn the material they struggled w & opens up more time 2 work w the Ss who work slower or struggled more in certain areas.
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A8: I think sometimes it can be overwhelming for our struggling students because there is so much to go over. I think we need to pick and choose the most important topics and focus on those so they can be successful! #5thchat
Hey, Everyone
My name is Meghan and I am a SPED teacher in contra costa county. Super excited to guest moderate tonight as we talk about re-takes vs test corrections (something that comes up a lot in IEPS!) #5thchat
Introduce yourself!!! Name, Location, Role in Ed, share a gif that shows what your classroom looks like when you say there is going to be a test in your classroom #5thchat
