[LIT] test-prep

[kimberlee hannan]

This may start a new discussion, but I'll go there anyway.

This is not a quick review.  This is a system that I fought tooth and nail
against for months, and lost.  But I must admit, I have found it useful.  We
actually use a "test prep" curriculum called "Standards Plus."  I can't find
exactly where it came from.

By doing this a little every day, we have negated the need to use a review
now that we are so close to testing.  We use it five minutes every day.  Now
I never use a worksheet curriculum the way it is laid out.  I HATE worksheet
work, so I put it on my computer projector, and we do it together.  They
write their answers in a cheap notebook. I have found that I like the way it
addresses standards in very small chunks.  It has no more than 6 questions
on a sheet.  It maintains what they've learned, and assess right in order.
I even use the tests as lessons.  It touches on standards I may have not
specifically taught, nor would I have had time to teach a full lesson on.
But because these standards have been touched on, I can spend three minutes
explaining them.  I do not use the scripted part, but our new teachers do.

As you all have said, the middle schoolers need action.  I write the kid's
names on regular playing cards with permanent markers.  Every day, I shuffle
the deck and flip over the cards for folks to answer the questions.  Now I
toss the cards to a student and let them do it.  I LOVE your white board
idea.  I have got to figure out a way to incorporate that into the Standards
Plus.  What a paper saver and BOREDOM saver.

Kim

-- 
Kimberlee Hannan
Department Chair
Sequoia Middle School
Fresno, CA

kxhanna at fresno.k12.ca.us