Tests and Quizzes:
Help Students Learn to Love 'Em

(Okay, maybe just not hate them!)

For some reason, politicians think that the only way to verify that learning is taking place is to test, test, test. As a teacher, when administrators insist that I test, test, test I feel as though they doubt my abilities. It is like they are saying, "Teacher, you say that Timmy can read this book? Well, we're not sure about that, so just to be certain, give him a comprehension test every week and a fluency test every few chapters!"

We don't trust teachers to teach, or student to learn. The worst part of Testing Madness is how much our kids are suffering. The poor things are tested so often that it sometimes feels that testing is the only thing they do in school.

It is no wonder that many students stop taking tests and quizzes seriously. I've seen them just give up and write down anything, just to finish. So, all of this testing doesn't adequately reflect what our children know!

Over-testing also takes the fun out of learning. When I was in the 7th grade, our class read The Last of the Mohicans. My teacher went pop quiz crazy and gave us a surprise chapter quiz two or three times a week.

I remember telling her, "This was a good book, but I couldn't read it and enjoy it. All I did was worry, "Is this gonna be on the test? It took all the fun out of it." My teacher did seem sorry- but it didn't stop all those horrible tests and quizzes.

She wanted to force students to do the assigned reading, but it didn't work. The same kids that would have read done the reading anyway (like me), did the reading. The students that could not have been forced to do the reading under penalty of death, didn't start reading simply because the teacher was giving pop quizzes. The latter group also had little or nothing to add to the class reading discussions.

When they are well-designed, thoughtful and given in moderation, tests and quizzes can be quite valuable for educators, students and parents. Tests and quizzes provide feedback for educators and students: teachers discover what their students know and whether or not their teaching has been effective, and students discover what they know (and do not know) about a particular subject.

The problem is that most tests and quizzes are NOT well-designed, thoughtful or given in moderation.

Oh, well, whatcha gonna do? We can't totally outlaw tests, nor should we want to. Maybe one day politicians and administrators will strike a balance between trusting teachers and assessing students, but until that day arrives, parents will have to help their children put tests and quizzes in the proper perspective.

We must constantly try to strike a balance between letting our children know that tests ARE important for grades, acceptance to schools, scholarships, jobs, promotions, etc. and tests are NOT important because what kind of person you are cannot be measured by grades, schools, etc. I never said it would be easy!

Let your kids know that you love them- no matter what grades they bring home. Who they are on inside is what matters to you, and tests and quizzes don't show that. The problem is, not everybody will be so understanding! We must live in the "real," outside world. And, in the real world, it's testing, testing, testing. So, they might as well learn how to do well on those tests!

Teach your children that doing well on tests and quizzes is like a game, but unlike a silly, video game, learning how to do well on tests is a skill they can use for the rest of their lives.

Take a look a this table and share it with your kids. Find out what types of tests and test questions they get most often and help them master those first. Then, move onto to the other types of test and questions.

Pretty soon, there won't be a test they can't conquer!

A great place to experience some testing success is with Spelling Tests!

Types of Tests and Questions

• Read the entire test and each set of directions before you start.
• Start with the easiest questions first and return to the others (don't forget to go back!)
• Read all answer choices for each multiple choice questions. Many times, the right one is the last one!
• Look for trick questions.
• Try not to guess, but if you must- go with your gut instinct.
• Take your time.
• Check your work.
• Do your best, turn it in and move on!

If you treat test-taking as a game and a skill, your kids will see it that way, too! That is, if their parents are positive, understanding, relaxed and helpful.

Of course you are!

More Homework Peace