I have a question. On the second page of the chapter, Beers essentially says that vocab tests are no good. Instead, she says that teachers should do more informal assessments like a jeopardy or bingo game to see who remembers most. Don't teachers have to give a certain amount of tests, or no?
Through reading this chapter, I realize how frequently I tell my own students just to "use context clues" as if they have any idea how to do that without the background and knowledge acquired previously. However, I guess I have another question. How much grammar (such a prefixes and suffixes) will I need to be teaching to my students? Does that just depend on the type of class I get a job working with?
Ah hah! Dr. Pytash, every week, uses the "read and tease" technique on us! (198) She entices us to read the full novel by reading an excerpt before class. I wonder if it would take too long to do that in class at a high school. Maybe I could do that or a think-aloud once a week, like perhaps on Fridays to settle kids down at the beginning of class. Actually, that's just what I thought about the two- or five- minute mysteries that Beers brought up in the last chapter.
great questions! I am now wondering the same thing, but I'll give you my idea and maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
ReplyDelete1. Do teachers need to give a certain amount of tests?
-I would say they may be required to give them a test but I don't think it is written in stone that it has to be a "black and white let's write this down and fill in some multiple choice bubbles" type of test. I think as long as you can document how you are testing the students and show their progress, you should be good to go. It may take some practice getting this mastered, but I think it could be very worthwhile for your students.
2. I think how much grammar you need to teach your students depends on a) where you are teaching and b) what your students already know.
I think that the state standards lay out what you're supposed to teach and as long as you cover the standards and you feel your students are knowledgeable about grammar and the different rules, you should be okay.
Don't take my words as concrete law! I was just throwing out some ideas but I don't know how truly accurate I am.
Some of your questions might depend on your school district. I don't think you are "required" to give a certain number of tests. In my experience, teachers usually teach a novel or unit and then give a test... and many times those tests also include vocabulary. Grammar - my experience with grammar is that it is usually taught with writing... so again, that depends on your school and department. I like the term "read and tease" :)
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