It looks like Amy isn't going to post anything. Her advice to anyone that has to give finals is to only give multiple choice finals. My advice is to only give a multiple choice final instead of a fun project. I have to give credit to my US History students (most of which I love) because they did really well on a 100 question final. I wrote the final, but didn't want 100 questions. It is hard to find 100 good questions about US History from mostly 1860-1936. The average was around 75/100. My geography students had a fun project to create a children's book about the five themes of geography. Out of approximately 70 students only 25 turned it in. During finals they took a unit test on Latin America. Students missed questions such as:
The capital of Panama is:
a. Mexico City
b. Belmopan
c. Washington, D.C.
d. Panama City
The choice is obvious to everyone but 9th graders. 5 students chose Mexico City (3 of them are Mexican citizens), 4 chose our nation's capital Washington D.C. and 10 chose Belmopan (the capital of Belize). Granted this was supposed to be a question to help them feel good about at least one question on the test. I can only do so much!
At least I get to start over with a whole new set of geography students next semester!
2 comments:
After having taught Geography I found that no matter who your students are they will be lost in this world. It's a sad commentary on the state of education in this country but maybe not so different from when we were young (you and I and other college preps being the exception of course!) The bottom line is——Don't give up.
I think I'm ok on my geography since I watch "Animaniacs" at least once a week. Maybe you could show your kids "Wakko's United States" or when Yakko sings the countries to The Mexican Hat Dance.
It was good to see you guys! I'm glad you made it back ok.
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