Content-Area Writing Chapter 10 Writing for Tests and Assessments Darcey Helmick EIWP 2013

Benefits of Essay Tests Students can “develop and share their thinking” instead of choosing the best answer from a list (254). Similar to math: show your work, not just the end number

Drawbacks of Essay Tests “Quality of information…will depend…on the quality of the prompt and the ways we’ve previously taught to approach them” (254). Poorly written prompt Students have no idea or practice answering essay prompts

Limitations of Essay Tests The test creates an "artificial situation" (254). o Different from writing done on a daily basis o Students do not connect to the subject, so they appear not to care (and, of course, sometimes they don't) The tasks will not be realistic o Little time for planning, revising, or editing

Limitations of Essay Tests Audience is very limited o Teacher who already knows the material o Far removed stranger the students do not know o Playing tennis with a pro...you expect to lose Only captures a moment in time o Does not tell you what the student learned or already knew o Think portfolio or reflection

Limitations of Essay Tests The prompt limits the students' answers o They answer the prompt but do not discuss what else they know about the topic o They do not know, so the teacher gets "fake writing" (aka BS) (255).

Better Essay Test Design Focus on what should stay with students long term o Aim for the HOTS on Bloom's Taxonomy  Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation o Not just summarize/regurgitate material o "require students to support their ideas with information from the material they've studied" (257).

Better Essay Test Design Make tests part of the learning process o Students outline responses to a question o For a take-home test, they "develop several body paragraphs from the outline" (257). Build in more time o One teacher feels that "take-home tests, rather than in-class writing, provides a better way to assess students' analytical thinking and writing ability" (257) o Students have time to draft, revise, and edit  (if they chose to do so)

Use oral presentation to widen audience and make writing a teaching activity o This connects the writing to an actual live audience o Can have a panel of adults but the rest of the class will work  The class should take notes or ask questions, so that they are active o Example of "museum style" (258)  60 students in double period 100 minute block  30 present at a time  A student peer evaluates each presentation  Teacher circulates and grades Better Essay Test Design

Use lab-type tests o Example: After a field trip to historical sites, students had an open-ended in-class essay about what they learned. o Open-book exam: could use trip itinerary or notes Ask questions that require student reflection o "include questions about how students' thinking has changed" (259). o Almost impossible for plagiarism

Teach Students How to Respond "When students handle tests more fluently, there is less interference from struggles with writing, so they can better show us what they know" (260). Review Previous Test Efforts o Have students find strengths and weakness in their prior tests

Practice with Paired Discussion o Start with ordinary/personal topics o Model your thinking o Students brainstorm strategies for responding o Then have students try to respond orally o Now move on to questions relating to the reading material - again responding orally in pairs Engaging Daily Life Topics o Timed, in-class writing tasks o Example: Read excerpt from Teacher Man and students pick which "character" they were like ( ). Teach Students How to Respond

Use Rubrics o Involve students in making rubric Discussion about elements of good writing o Small number of criterion Focus on a few skills at a time Will not overload students or you o Maintain balance of content and writing skills Rubric communicates what you value o Build flexibility "include an extra blank in your rubric for unexpected outcomes" (264). Teach Students How to Respond

Standardized Test Essays Use assignments that ask students to think, elaborate on their ideas, and make connections between the material and the world. o Chicago school 20% higher gain than city average  Develop arguments  Draw conclusions  Explain their understanding o Interactive instruction = 5.2% higher gain than city average (265)

Standardized Test Essays Know the expectations about the content and scoring of tests. o Teach students how to analyze test questions so they know exactly what it is asking. o Review sample questions & scoring guide o Review several student samples and the comments that explain the score

Standardized Test Essays Test writing is similar to video games. o Both use same type of skills o "demonstrate for students by thinking aloud on a sample test questions in your subject area and showing kids just how the mental activity of attacking an essay questions resembles playing a computer game" (267). o Students can practice this thinking in pairs