Standardized Tests

SAT'S, CAT'S, Terranova etc. - As far back as I can remember, I have always disliked standardized tests. Particularly in grammar school, I recall being prepped sometimes months in advance and having great emphasis put on our results to them. We were lectured on how important these tests were and how serious they should be taken. As a result of such pressure being put on students, many of us performed poorly, I believe because we were stressed when the day of the test ultimately came. Because of the experiences I have had with standardized tests, I still do not enjoy them to this day. Another reason I dislike them is that there is not much you can do to prepare for them. Sometimes these tests are just based on general knowledge. So, all you can do is make sure to get a full night of sleep the day before, have a good breakfast the day of, have your materials ready, be on time for the test and try your best. This may seem like a pretty simple routine, but for many children, it is accompanied by nervousness and upset stomachs. Just hearing the word "test" puts children on the edge of their seats. As a result of the experiences I have had with standardized tests, I would like to make the "preparation" for them as stress-free as possible for the students I will teach someday. I believe it is sometimes better to have students very relaxed and calm for tests such as these, so they are able to think clearly and try their best, without feeling as if they MUST do well, because it is expected of them. I feel students should know that these tests are important, because they are, but not be pressured in the process. Students, especially children, are under enough stress with their school work that these tests, I feel, shouldn't be added onto to them. I believe there should be a balance between explaining the importance of standardized tests and what they mean, with reassuring students as long as they try their best, they will have nothing to worry about. I know, as a future teacher, I will do my best to relieve students of the tension that comes with taking these tests because I know how it feels to have been in their place. I understand they are a necessity to schools and will most likely continue to be present in classrooms for years to come. But, I feel the preparations for them should be altered a bit, to reassure students that they are capable of doing well and can accomplish this, with a bit of confidence. They should also be taught that standardized tests are just another part of school and nothing to be afraid of. I believe if students begin to see standardized tests in a positive light, this view will be displayed in their test scores as well.

Reflection on Presentations

I would like to reflect on the presentations that have been given in class so far. Overall, I think everyone did a good job and had interesting lessons. I believe when preparing lessons, especially for the younger grades, it is important to have some sort of visual aid available for them to accompany any lectures or seatwork to keep their attention on the work at hand. They can be easily distracted, so it would be helpful to have something handy for them to view or study while doing their work. With the behaviors given out by Dr. Luongo, it was seen how easily the class could get out of hand if not properly managed. Behavioral problems will be seen in every classroom at somepoint in our teaching careers. So, being introduced to them, whether in a daycare setting, afterschool program, tutoring groups, or during our lesson presentations, will assist in our preparations for becoming teachers. I believe it is important for us to know that we will soon be responsible for a large group of children, ranging from all ages, who will depend on us for a variety of things, not only their educational development. We are going to have to be part-time care-givers, nurses, custodians, advisors, etc. A teacher is not just a teacher. He/she has a very important job, one which we have to be sure is right for us because of the tremendous responsibility involved in such a profession. With this responsibility, though, comes great rewards and personal satisfaction, knowing you are making a difference in the lives of countless children everyday. So, although it is not an easy job, if you are committed to it, and love what you do, I believe you will be fine. Personally, I have enjoyed all of my education classes and feel they have each helped me in some way towards understanding the field of education in more depth. On the contrast, I have met others who have taken education classes and discovered teaching is just not right for them. That is why we need to practice teaching and be exposed to a variety of aspects in this field, such as special education, so we can be educated on these subjects and hopefully, find our niche. We will experience good and bad days when teaching, which is like any other profession. The important thing to remember is why we are there and to not get discouraged along the way. Everything we experience, positive or negative, is just a part of our journey to get where we need to be.

Report Cards

I believe if there is anything that is essential in a classroom, it is the use of report cards. Students are present in a classroom for 180 days a year to learn and develop their minds based on fundamental teaching. Parents pay for their tuition and leave them with a responsible adult for 6-7 hours, 5 days a week. Report cards show students, parents, teachers and administrators how well a child is doing in school, not only academically but many times behaviorally as well. This written document displays to parents the outcome of all of their child's work throughout the academic year. It is imperative to keep track of students' records and have them available for future use. Although there are many benefits to having report cards, for students, they may sometimes be embarrassing and discouraging if they are not doing well in their studies to see the outcome of these results. A student who is trying to achieve an A in his/her science class, who is averaging out a C could get discouraged seeing this on a report card when they possibly know they are capable of doing better. In contrast, a student who believes he/she is doing well could be surprised to know they need to work harder if their grade is below what they expected. In either case, report cards open up students' eyes to the reality of their time in school and how they are using it when dealing with their studies. Although, as I just said, they can discourage students if they are not doing well, they can also encourage students to do better so their grades improve. I believe in order to solve the problem of seeing less than satisfactory grades, there should be positive reinforcement and feedback given from the teacher. I believe the teacher should be able to write comments on how to improve in the subject areas that need it, as well as behaviorally, for example: if the student talks too much, how to prevent this from being a habit. Also, if students are doing well, the teacher should praise them and encourage them to keep up the good work. Teachers should also highlight the strengths of a student who is having difficulty academically, to give him/her courage to know they have good qualities in the classroom, but just need some help in other areas. With this information, students will be given guidelines and assistance in areas they may really need it in. Overall, I believe report cards have more strengths than weaknesses in schools and should always be given as a form of assessment.