This year, I am trying something new. I know this seems like a no brainer, but with some many districts pushing for teachers to start the year off running, many teachers do not take those critical first couple of weeks to analyze the data with their students. I will admit that I have been guilty of this, but NO MORE. I am breaking out of that mold of fast paced teaching. Instead I am going back to the basics.
Here are my suggestions to my fellow teachers:
- Spend the first few days (the days before students come back)
- Create a class list for each class and determine which student has or has not passed the state/district test or which students have not reached the level they are expected to be at for that particular grade
- Highlight and determine which students are the “bubble students” which means the teacher has a greater chance of getting those students to pass the test and/or reach the appropriate level
- Based on the scores, assign student mentors for those “bubble students” within the class. Be sure to link them with those students beginning the first day of class
- Determine who could serve as mentors for the students who are right below the “bubble students” and link those students together beginning the first day of class
- Conferencing
- During the first and second week of school depending on the class sizes, call students over individually and discuss their scores with them.
- Have them record their scores for their standardized tests on a Data Tracking form and let them know they will reference that form periodically throughout the school year
- Make sure the students have access to their data such as keeping the tracking sheet in their binder or interactive notebook
- On the back of the form, have them write or dictate a statement as to what happened when they took the test such as they were sleepy, they were confused, they used the strategies they were taught, etc. If they are unable to remember, have them write or dictate what they plan to do on their upcoming standardized tests for the school year.
