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Re: an "F" for talking while testing
Posted by 6th year on 9/01/08
On 8/31/08, Li wrote:
> Hi all - I am a first year teacher, teaching second
> grade. Our testing day is Friday. When I gave the
> spelling test I noticed some students "mumbling". I
> didn't see who it was and ignored it, but did say "Boys
> and girls, I better not hear anyone talk while taking a
> test. If I catch you I will take your paper away and you
> will get an 'F' grade. Is that understood?" - they
> replied "yes" - needless to mention, during our next test
> I saw someone talking, walked up to him, took his test
> away, and told him he will receive an 'F' and that I need
> to talk to his father after school. I figured this would
> get the point across, but after that I took about 6 more
> papers away. How can this happen?! Perhaps I wasn't
> clear enough??? I also feel REALLY BAD giving these kids
> F's on their first tests!!! I don't want to harm my
> students, but help them do better...does anyone have any
> suggestions? MUCH APPRECIATED!
Concider that the 2nd graders are new to the "No talking
while you take a test" rule. his expectation like all others
must be practiced. I try not to treat talking to other
classmates like a life or death situation. There are times I
want them to discuss learning concepts. So technically, this
is not a negative behavior...all the time... Instead I like
to remind them and explain why it's the polite thing to do
to not talk during test taking time. My students do improve
their behavior while testing, but it does take time and
patience to get them there.
An F is only worth as much value as you give it. Your
elementary group of students are with you 5 days a week and
up to 6 hours a day. That's a lot of time to assess your
students abilities. But I like to remember that behavior and
academics are two seperate categories. There are places on
the report card in my district to note other strengths and
weakenesses that the students have. Applying negative
consequences to reflect poorly for academic ability is not a
method I choose to use to employ in my classroom.
Understand, I have reacted to talkers during testing just
like you did. I'm making an opinion based on personal
experience and what I have learned in the handful of years
I've been teaching. What's great about the profession is you
can try different things and find strategies that work for
you.
6th year
Posts on this thread, including this one
- an "F" for talking while testing, 8/31/08, by Li.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 8/31/08, by tx teacher.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 8/31/08, by zodea.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 8/31/08, by gwynnetx.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/01/08, by Melissa.
- Re: Are You Sure They Weren't Mumbling to Thenselves?, 9/01/08, by Tom (Houston).
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/01/08, by 6th year.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/06/08, by doh.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/06/08, by maybeme.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/13/08, by teacher in texas.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/13/08, by Get a Clue You Newbie Control Freak.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/14/08, by Re: an "F" for talking while testing.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/14/08, by Li.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/14/08, by Li.
- Re: Are You Sure They Weren't Mumbling to Thenselves?, 9/14/08, by Li.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/14/08, by Li.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/20/08, by Dean.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/21/08, by Li.
- Re: an "F" for talking while testing, 9/22/08, by vet middle school teacher who's also taught 2nd.
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