TAKS nightmares

As you may know, we here in Texas have this most awesome (note the sarcasm) test that we base all of our teaching on. Actually let me back up. Technically, we have this list of skills that each student is supposed to know upon completion of a particular class or year. So, we base our teaching on that and the most awesome test comes along in the end and tells you how much your students don't know. At least that's how I see it. Some say its teaching to the test... some try to say that its just teaching the essential skills that are tested by the test... either way... its annoying!

This Thursday I will be giving my kids a pre- TAKS test. It should be given at the end of 2 units and includes questions from chemistry AND physics. Guess what? We have covered NO physics. I told my kids to expect to see some strange things and to just do their best, but in my head I am thinking, "HOW UNFAIR!" We have made this chemistry unit span over too many weeks and while I am a couple of days behind the lead teacher, I am still not ready for physics. My students have done some great labs and activities to incorporate different TEKS into their schedule... things that aren't part of chemistry or physics and I am hoping in the end there will be some things we don't have to cover because we already have.

I was told that concept maps are a really good thing for students to understand (well... duh!) concepts so we are doing one right now in groups of 4-5 people over the 3 main states of matter (liquid, gas, and solid... for you non-science folks). It is an activity that is going to take half of 2 days while the rest of the time we focus on some notes on the same subject. I knew this would be a review but I felt like the whole subject warranted more than one 45 minute class period. So we are doing this today and tomorrow and while I feel I am rushing my kids, I also feel like the district is rushing to give us these tests.

I just feel at a loss... I feel I am being pulled in some directions to hurry and shove stuff in the students' laps but I also have mentor teachers informing me that they are always behind and their students' scores are even with the teachers who rush. Believe me, I'm not even the last person. Out of 4 people on our team, I am probably in 2nd right now... not that its a race... or is it? I can't decide!

In other classroom news, I sent 2 students down to the office with a referral. They were play fighting and then in a snap it switched to real fighting. Too bad for them... for me, it was kind of funny to watch.

I also gave one boy in my class 3 paperclips today. I told him he would get 3 everyday and then every time I heard him over everyone, he interrupted me, asked a question (usually they are irrelevant), or was just getting on my nerves, I would take one away and after the 3rd time, he would receive a detention. He responded by asking me if he could keep the ones that he had at the end of class and I looked down and took one and said (with a big toothy grin, of course)..."That's one!" Wow, his corner of the room was super silent from then on out!

My last one is... anyone have any ideas for how to get a student who does nothing motivated to work? No group work, no individual, no homework. I have tried calling the parents and they either don't live there anymore or they do not have an answering machine. I am at a loss. Right now he has 3 detentions and now a referral to the office... but I just don't see that motivating him.... at all. Two classes in a row he has literally come in and put his feet up crossed on a desk and folded his arms behind his head. I'm so over it!

til next time! -coach b