Why Pre-Tests are Imperative

 

My services have not started yet, and I have no little people sitting in my seats but work is being accomplished.  I have met with my homeroom teachers, where my students sit all day and we have come up with plans to meet my students needs when they are not with me. 

 My teachers are working on getting to know their kids, ice breakers, set routines and structures in place so learning can happen this year.  They are also getting to know their students as learners, so in the next couple of weeks they are administering the i-ready test and giving the End of Module tests to their kids.

These tests are critical at the beginning of the year because they allow teachers to identify if their students already know the concepts that will be taught in the module.  If the students already know the content and they are able to show their thinking in detail, then the kids can move on to more problem solving activities and harder ideas at their level.  It will signal to the teacher's that they need a challenge.  

It is important to note that my kids are very smart, some can learn at a much faster pace, or see the world differently, but there are also holes in their learning at times.  For example, many of my students are adept at applying an algorithm that they have memorized from their tutoring center, but few of them can explain why the algorithm works or what is happening with the numbers throughout the algorithm.  It is important to know the "why" behind the number system and not just be able to memorize concepts to get a deep learning of math. 

When the teachers I work with look at the assessments, they will be looking to see communication as well as application of math in everyday life.  They will identify mathematical strengths and also look for areas of growth.  These pretests will serve as maps to guide instruction and make insightful decisions about the future learning.