The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
Last night, I was online w/a bunch of college students drafting our fanatasy baseball teams. It all began 7 years ago when 1/2 of them were my 7th grade students. So glad this tradition continued. #bfc530#njed#PlayBall
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
Good morning, #bfc530 friends! Gotta run early this morning to get ready to present some "Physics is Phun" demonstrations at a local elementary school. I've never "taught" students this young, so I'm a bit nervous...wish me luck! Cheers!
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
Before I got married, I shared a house w/a bunch of friends. One of them always criticized me for being tired after an easy job like teaching. A year later he gave student teaching a try, when I asked him how it was going, he told me he understood why I was tired. #bfc530
In reply to
@GruntledChalkie, @kathyiwanicki, @VtheLearner
Cheerleader! I believe in them. I also remind students that one test does not define them. They are prepared. Also, ask them to have a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast. #bfc530
Spread as much JOY as possible. If we’re stressed they will be. Remember it’s one moment in time. Remind them and (ourselves) how much they have grown. #bfc530
We can make testing better by not going on and on and on and on...you get the idea...about it. The kids know already—and many of them are nervous enough about it. #bfc530
We make sure to focus on the fact that it is one day, and one moment in time. Music as they enter, snacks provided. Once done, outside time (middle schoolers love an opportunity for recess!), then games and puzzles. #bfc530
Darn! Can't make #bfc530 today but it's my question! I really want to see everyone's answers. Will be stopping back to Twitter once the crew girls are on the water.
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
I will give them free time at the track (prior to the test) to give their minds a chance to wake up. The rest of their day after the test will be filled with fun games and activities. #bfc530
We try & make sure the test is in it's place. It is not the end all be all. In fact, it has no bearing on a child's future at all. We stress that with Ss&Ts #bfc530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
I remember those days, and now my daughters (9 & 7) want us to have another baby, I keep on telling them Im too old, which is the truth. But the days you are now will create awesome memories #bfc530
In reply to
@btcostello05, @GruntledChalkie, @kathyiwanicki, @VtheLearner
Make this period as natural a part of the learning cycle as possible...working hard to reduce stress levels for all involved. Build in fun time, too...time for play, getting outside, laughter. When your kids know you care about them, they often surprise you! #bfc530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
I try to make the in between times of testing an experience crack jokes, Simon Sez, things that will bring a smile to the kids' faces without breaking any of the draconian rules that surround the testing. #bfc530
I just think it is too long of a time to have kids sit, for multiple days. Also, the fact that kids who get modifications all year have to take the same test as other without mods is just torture. How to make a kid feel inadequate? Make him read Qs well above his level. #bfc530
5y/o and 6months. And I some days I sure feel old! It’s worth it, but this week has included 0 sleep 2 days. 🧟♂️ trying to fight off zombie mode #bfc530
In reply to
@CoachKCullen, @GruntledChalkie, @kathyiwanicki, @VtheLearner
Don't stress about it, don't talk about it, don't think about it. If you have a well planned scope and sequence and you are teaching to the standards, then your kids will perform well on "the test." They'll perform even better if they aren't stressed out by it. #BFC530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
"High stakes" and "high pressure" are only that way because we make them that way. I've done this for years with my students and have never been disappointed in their results. #bfc530
For our gr9 #EQAO Math test I have made a @GetKahoot of all the released sample problems from past years that we play periodically on shuffle for 10 Qs at a time or so.
#bfc530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
After testing is over, 7th grade shuts down regular academics & Ss report to one of our clssrms to work on a large scale interdisciplinary group project that will be presented in history & science class. It allows creativity & movement after morning of sitting & staring #bfc530
Our gr10 #OSSLT literacy test is coming up. Some are nervous b/c they don't know what to expect. They seem relieved when I told them we would do some activities with sample test materials so they could get used to them.
#bfc530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
Being year 30 is great too bc I am finally confident in what my Ss know and the test doesn’t affect me like it used to..(and if they really bomb, by the time the school system gets rid of me, I will be retired lol ) #bfc530
This is the first time my Ss will test on computers. We did a practice session. Most raced through it, wrote minimally, were done in 20 minutes aaand said it was fun. Scaaary. #bfc530
In terms of a concrete thing, I use @RemindHQ on test morning to blast message my kids with this message as they're on their way to school:
"Stop. Take a breath. You are prepared and you will do great. Now go knock it out." #bfc530
Recognizing that we can't do away with standardized testing altogether (at least not this year), what is one thing you can personally do to make testing better for your students?
via @BrianHerb17#bfc530
Have a wonderful day everyone. Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those that celebrate. Have a relaxing spring break to those of you who have it. See you all on Monday! #bfc530
Here is a question for my NJ elementary teachers, do I have my daughter take PARCC this year? She didnt last year & with it continuation for next year being questioned, what will it gain her other than to see if she doesnt shut down taking it. (What we feared last yr) #bfc530
One of the challenges of the #OSSLT is that students must succeed in order to graduate...definitely the highest of our ‘high stakes’ assessments. #bfc530
Ask her why she wants to do. Like you said, it won’t be there next year, but something will replace it. She will likely have to “test” at some point in her life. Check in with her and see where she’s at. #bfc530
Agree there will be a point where she needs to take a standardized test, but we have so much info about her academic ability (which I am grateful for our district), Im not sure if we will learn anything new about it. Thanks for your response, will definitely ask her. #bfc530
Kids from Worcester's Vernon Hill School got fresh haircuts in time for MCAS tests. Says a barber: “A nice haircut doesn’t define who you are, but it makes you feel good about yourself.” Columnist Clive McFarlane takes a look: https://t.co/hIvmHB1NaO@CliveMcFarlane@RickCinclair
Thank you for providing a breakdown of your assessments - in my district and area (Ontario, Canada), we do not have this many assessments and I had no idea it was possible to do this many in one year. I am genuinely interested in how schools work with Ss to manage this. #bfc530
In reply to
@MrTravisDrake, @BFC_530, @BrianHerb17
I agree that it’s such a challenge for our ELLs & our Spec Ed Ss. One thing we try to emphasize is that it’s not just this one day & time if they do not pass. They can try again or can take the OLC4O course. This eases the anxiety somewhat knowing there are other options #bfc530
Sounds awesome. Unfortunately as soon as state assessments are over here, we begin EOY District assessments, then we are out for summer. March to June=assessments #bfc530
After testing is over, 7th grade shuts down regular academics & Ss report to one of our clssrms to work on a large scale interdisciplinary group project that will be presented in history & science class. It allows creativity & movement after morning of sitting & staring #bfc530
During my tests, I actively proctor (walk around the room and sit at the front of the room). I give some sort of countdown (2 minutes to go) during activities and transition time. I do have warm-ups in SAT format sometimes. #bfc530
This week Year 6 students conducted investigations into the circulatory system of animals. They presented their information on poster sheets and used @Ozobot to model the blood flow of their chosen animal. #aussieED#PrimarySTEMchat#bfc530#edtech#ozobots
This week Year 6 students conducted investigations into the circulatory system of animals. They presented their information on poster sheets and used @Ozobot to model the blood flow of their chosen animal. #aussieED#PrimarySTEMchat#bfc530#edtech#ozobots
Always difficult during testing windows. Even if your class is not testing, schedules are changed, computers not available, etc. Testing has a big footprint. #bfc530
In reply to
@gilkatgil, @studentssmiling, @BFC_530
