On 11/13/08, question wrote:
> On 11/13/08, momof2 wrote:
>> I am extremely discourged and am looking for any and all
>> help. My students just took their writing benchmark test
>> today, and the composition scores were absolutely
>> disappointing. I have been using a program that evidently
>> is not working.
>>
>> Looks like I am going to have to start at the beginning,
>> but I have no idea where to begin. Plus, is it too late?
>>
>> FYI: I have never taught 4th grade before.
>
> What did you think of their writing just prior to taking the
> test? How did it look to you? Kids can freeze on a test or
> not understand the question. Did these results take you by
> surprise?
>
>
>> This is where I have failed. I can't really give you an
answer about what I thought about their writing prior to today
because they really haven't written a full-blown composition
until now.

I have been using a program by a Texas teacher who taught 4th
grade for 12 years and has increased many schools scores by his
program. This program focuses the first 8 weeks on
understanding how to prewrite and doing it effectively then
working on each individual paragraph (intro, body, concl) along
with incorporating ideas, voice, organization, etc. Week 9
focuses on putting a whole composition together. Because I
only have 50 min. to 1 hr. to teach writing, I have yet to get
to week 9. So I guess all in all, these results were to be
expected.

In all honesty, I can see how this program can work. The
gentleman who developed it taught in the southern tip of Texas
where the majority of his students were ESL and econ. disad.
students. Many of the schools who are using his program have
gone from 4 fours to 24 fours in one year. But for some
reason, I just can't figure out why this program isn't working
for me and my students. Am I too anxious? I just don't want
to try anything new with them since they have been doing his
program for 13 weeks now.

I used the TAKS scoring rubric when I scored their
compositions.

Is there any way to fix this problem? Can I still get them
where they need to be before the test?

The district I am in has an exemplarary status, and I don't
want to be the one who ruins it for the district.

I am extremely stressed to the point it is affecting me
physically and mentally. I want writing to be fun and
enjoyable for my students, but I don't know how when I don't
feel like they have used what I have taught them thus far.

>>
>>
>>
>>

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one