March Madness

This month at mentorship was a bit slower than others. Prep for testing has now begun and even though my best answer is to not teach to the test, this is what I am seeing most in class. The students seem to react normal to this because it's what they have been taught in years prior but I think if my mentor tried to teach her own way the students would find it more fun and would remember everything better than they do now. I hope that once everyone is back from spring break, the students also come back with the enthusiasm to learn everyday until summer.

Blog 18: Fourth Interview Preparation

Content: Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. The focus of your questions should be on your answer to your EQ.

What is the most effective method to raise standardized test scores?

1. What is the most helpful source you turn to for new teaching methods?
2. Have you seen a change in student performance with the new Common Core State Standards?
3. How do you manage to keep your students on task at all times?
4. What was a method you used for the old California Standards test?
5. Is there any teaching method you implement that works no matter what you teach?
6. What is one method that definitely doesn't work in any classroom?
7. How do you adapt your students to new strategies? 
8.  What excites the students most about learning?
9. Do you think that creating level groups in class helps the students learn better? Why?
10. What do you think is the hardest part of getting high test scores at the end of the year?
11. Have you tried implementing the arts to teach new concepts? Did it work out?
12. How would you explain your personal teaching style?
13. Do you think the students should adapt to the test, or the test to the students? Why?
14. Should the parents be more involved in the students' learning?
15. How does Common Core training help you in the class?
16. Do you think some of the material you teach is outdated?
17. Would a technological approach help students raise their test scores? Why?
18. What is a struggle that people fail to see within a classroom?
19. How can a teacher get at least 75% of their class to pass with a Proficiency score?
20. How would you go about answering my essential question?

Blog 17: Third Answer

Content:



What is the most effective method to raise standardized test scores?  

One of the most effective ways to raise standardized test scores is by allowing a creative outlet during lessons. 

• Creativeness helps students retain information for longer periods of time. 
• When students are allowed to do something they love along with a lesson they become more attentive. 
• Students look forward to learning. 

Press, Associated. "Here's a 50-state Look at How the Common Core Is Playing out in the U.S." Deseret News National. N.p., 9 Sept. 2014. Web. 11 Sept. 2014 

I think this answer might be my second best, I feel like children and teachers both benefit from this method.