5. That was fun. (EOC Practice for three hours.) May we have a party?

5. That was fun! May we have a party now?  EOC Prep

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

Varied and ongoing assessments advance learning as well as measure it. Varied Assessments

We arrived at school this morning at 8:30. A small group of algebra students met at school to take an EOC (End of Course) practice exam. I used a Google Form and Google Classroom to allow students to practice questions. The first set included twenty questions. When completed, I was able to let them know what they missed. On the board, students could read an explanation of each question missed. Students then took a 15 question, round two, which also was scored and they were able to see the problems they missed.

I now have data that gives me insight into what their challenges are. This assessment also provides them with an opportunity to dig deeper into our content and celebrate their efforts!

At 11:35 a.m., the students were finished. One piped up, “Mrs. Ruppert, since everyone is finished may we have a party?”

“A party?” I asked, “Like, now?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Well, okay.” (Perhaps you can sense my hesitation.)

“What shall we do?” I asked them.

“I don’t know.” They were standing around, ready to play.

“Do you want to play a game?” I asked

“Yes,” and they willingly found a space on the board to write.

We played “24,” a game I found in my math book. Students worked on the board. I dealt four cards and students, using all four cards, must use any operations to compute the answer 24. (We added an activity that addressed the slope of a line where the first two cards make up the (x,y )coordinates of one ordered pair, and the second two cards make up the second (x,y) coordinates of the second ordered pair.) A further extension could be that they must determine the equation of the line… oh yes, we will do that Tuesday.

After the game, I said, “We should have been doing this all year.” These students were having fun working math problems on a Saturday. They were having fun with one another working math problems. Today reminded me of how much our students need constructive, creative, opportunities to deepen their knowledge of math, of science and of other content.

Advice

1)   We had a movie night a few weeks ago. Families came out to the ball field to view a movie projected on a giant outdoor screen that was donated by a local elementary school. About ten students from our team came to hang out with one another. That evening reminded me of how little young adolescents have to do on Friday nights and weekends. They do not drive; they do not have jobs. I wonder if promoting Friday night events for young adolescents would be a good fundraiser for schools?

2)   Whatever your subject, consider what competitions exist in your state. I know there are organizations for social studies, science, math, reading, brain competitions… Consider how to get one started. If you are interested in sponsoring an after school club, be sure someone will sponsor it with you.

3)   Young adolescents, when challenged, thrive. They also want to celebrate. Our next EOC practice will be June 4. We have decided we will have a picnic afterward.