Over the years of working with children in poverty I’ve been introduced to the idea that one big test at the end of a chapter is not the best way to go with these children. I’ve adapted the ideas of people I’ve worked with, integrated a few of my own, and now am in the habit of giving small tests, usually covering a single concept. Frankly, they have enough of the big tests with YPP in English, math and science, and of course the almighty, NCLB required, end of the year (CRT) tests.
So my tests are one-sided, half-sheets. Which also gives the kids somewhere to draw as they wait for the rest of the class to get done. I’ve gotten some interesting things drawn and written on the back. Some I can make sense of, some I can’t. And, of course, there are the pictures of me. So, here are a sampling of these drawings from my latest couple of tests. From time to time you may see more of them on here.
