Koretz Test Prep Block Party Process

[Real Time Version –> The middle of the classroom is set up with two rows of chairs facing each other]

[Virtual Version –> Partners are assigned randomly to breakout rooms] 

ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE
SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN
ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN TWENTY
  1. Please follow the numbered link corresponding to your ASSIGNED NUMBER to an excerpt from : Koretz, D. (2017). The testing charade: pretending to make schools better. Ch. 7, Test Prep.
  2. Carefully read and reflect on the highlighted text then take
  3. Two (2) minutes to:
    • Read your highlighted excerpt to your partner, and
    • Listen as your partner reads their highlighted excerpt to you.
  4. Discuss the two excerpts.
  5. With your partner, write a sentence or two on the whiteboard about what you think is the primary thesis of the chapter  
  6. Return to main virtual classroom to discuss.
  7. If time permits, switch partners and repeat steps three (3) through five (5) three (3) times and then…

For FALL 2019 —> Post Prompt Testing and Accountability

Based on your reading and our shared analysis of Koretz, D. (2017). The testing charade: pretending to make schools better and with references to the text and to the work we did in class, discuss the following:

  1. An overview of the reading
  2. How have test prep methods been a part of your educational experience?
  3. How do test prep methods corrupt the idea of good teaching? 
  4. What is the point of testing? What are benefits or disadvantages? Can we evaluate student success without tests?

~ 500 amazing words!

Assignment due in class on 

Lx BlogPost Assessment Rubric

Responsibilities for this Learning Experience BlogPost include discussions of:

  1. An overview of the reading; and
  2. Response to the LX post prompt Testing & Accountability.

Exceeding | In responding to the Learning Experience assignment prompt, the writer demonstrates a rigorous and in-depth understanding of content and purpose through the development and support of their blog post. Appropriate organization and style is evident. [5 points]

Meeting | In responding to the Lx prompt, the writer demonstrates a thorough understanding of content and purpose through the development and support of her blog post. Appropriate organization and style is evident. [3 points]

Approaching | In responding to the Lx prompt, the writer demonstrates an awareness of content and purpose and attempts to develop and support her blog post. Appropriate organization and style is evident. [1 point]

Needing Improvement | In responding to the Lx prompt, the writer demonstrates minimal or no attention to content and purpose. Blog post topic may be unsuitable, and/or the writer may not develop or support an argument. Appropriate organization and style might not be evident. [0 point]

d

d

d

Koretz Test Prep Block Party Process

  1. Distribute quotes to the students and give them a minute to read and reflect;
  2. Set up a circle of 7 chairs and invite 7 students to sit down;
  3. Invite the rest of the students to stand in front of one of the seated students.
  4. On my mark, students are asked to share both quotes and then engage in some discussion about what they think is the primary thesis of the chapter.  (2minutes)
  5. The standing students move to the next chair and repeat step 4. (2minutes)
  6. The standing students move to the next chair and repeat step 4. (2minutes)
  7. The standing students move to the next chair and repeat step 4. (2minutes)
  8. Each student writes a question for Dr. Koretz, the author of the Test Prep chapter, on the Koretz Test Prep Block Party Google Wall. (Immediately Below)