Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Surprise! Surprise! It's Test Day!

Eight days before the unit test, I pass out the study guide. Which, if you get it signed by a parent, is worth 5 extra credit points.

Eight days before the unit test, I write in big letters on my white board that our "Test will be on Tuesday, August 28th!".

Every day before the test, I have as a homework assignment to "study for your test".

Every day before the test, when I point out what our classwork is going to be that day, and what our homework is going to be that day (so my little darlings can scribble this down in their agendas), I mention that "Remember, your test will be on Tuesday, August 28th".

Every day before the test, I remind the kids before they leave to "be sure to use your study guide to prepare for your test!"

Two of my weekly parent emails have mentioned that our first test will be on Tuesday, August 28th, so they can make sure their child is prepared.

On our school grades website, I post a message (marked "urgent") that reminds students and parents that our test will be on Tuesday, August 28th.

(And those of you who are teachers know, absolutely, what's next, dontcha?)

And it never, ever fails that I will get at least one nitwit per class who walks in, stares at the board where it says "Test Today!" and looks a me with total shock and amazement and utter those words that every teacher just hates to hear...

"You mean we have a test today?"

GRRRRRRR

Good gracious, just how unobservant and unaware can one person be?

3 comments:

Elizabeth said...

LOL. I saw that coming from a mile away! Though I just had to write and compliment you - you are obviously a VERY dedicated and together teacher. I wish I was so organized!

graycie said...

A few years ago, the science teacher on my team did a lot of what you did. In addition, he held a review class the day before the test during which time they went over the study guide and he wrote the answers on the board. He forgot to erase the answers until after the test. How many students do you think got 100%?

Yup.

Darren said...

Yet we slog on....