Who would have ever thought?

I started something new coming back from January. I started a Student of the Week as well as a Most Improved for all of my biology classes. I thought it would be nice to give the students something to aspire to as well as cut down on some discipline problems. So, I tried it out. After the 1st day, I could see the drastic effect it had on my students. Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me tell you 'bout student of the week 1st. Student of the week is chosen by a variety of criteria. To tell you the truth, I really don't have a point system or any system, as a matter of fact, to choose my student of the week. It basically comes to me at the end of the week, and I place a name on the board after reviewing my roster. No, I don't just choose anybody. I think back to all what happened throughout the previous week and try to remember if someone did something well academically or behaviorally that week. I usually narrow it down to about 3 students and do any meeny miney mo from that point. To heighten the expense I tell the students that it was a close tie for student of the week, then I say in the end I had to draw just one name. They get SO excited and always want to know who was that 2nd person. Of course I don't tell them, because sometimes there isn't even a second person, but hey if it's encouraging them, then I say do it.
Now Most Improved it something a little different. For Most Improved, I usually pick someone who has shown some type of effort throughout the week. Again, this effort shown can be academic or behavioral. Usually students who receive this award have no chance whatever for becoming student of the week. I know that sounds mean, but I've come to realize through personal experiences and through observation that it is a pure struggle for some students to behave. And for this reason, I have created Most Improved, just so they can have a small chance at fame. Right now this is sounding strictly behavioral, but it's working academically as well. I'll use Mya for example. Mya is one of my students who does not have any behavioral problems, occasionally chatty (but what 9th grader isn't), but does perform well on test. I wondered at first was Mya capable of handling the challenges of Biology I or should I return her to Science Reasoning to strengthen her skills. She remained in my class, but she was struggling with her work. Once I introduced Student of the Week/Most Improved, I noticed a change in Mya. She began participating in class and asking more questions. She also began doing her homework. For her 2nd test she came up to me and said, "Ms. Siwell, I actually studied for your test last night." I said, "For real." (Studying, who would have ever thought?) She said yeah, I usually don't study but I'm trying to make a change. I told her that it probably paid off and that we'll see. After they took that test I scanned them to reveal the results. I couldn't believe it, Mya, the child who was completely failing and totally apathetic passed! Not only did Mya pass, she tied with one of my brightest students for the highest grade out of my Bio I students. I was so proud of her that I had to let her know it. She was beaming from ear to ear. I eagerly created another award, Star Student, for those who achieved the highest academically on a test. The Star Student is a big competition throughout all of my Biology students. I put Mya's name under that title on the board along with my other top achiever with whom she tied. Mya talked about it non stop for the next few days. She always found a way to make a reference to the board so her peers could see her achievement. I told her that I only expect those good grades from her from now on. She said, "I know Ms. Siwell, I trying to get Student of the Week," and all I could do was smile.

Test Scores

You know how everyone has those days when they wake up and ask, "What am I doing? How did I get here?" Well, I had one of those days Thursday. On Wednesday, I gave my students their first test of the 3rd nine weeks. I made a lot of changes to my classroom and to myself in preparation for the 3rd nine weeks. With this preparation I told myself that I was ready. I was going to be a better teacher, have a better attitude, and become more effective at empowering young minds. I had this gung ho attitude up until Wednesday. We'd been covering DNA and RNA since school began. My students were doing better on their quizzes and even better on their homework assignments. I was thinking, "Yes, this is working. I am doing better!" They were more confident about their test, and I was more confident in them. My students were even confident after the test and asking me to please have them ready by tomorrow so they can see their grades. Immediately, after school I ran them through the scanner. I couldn't wait to get the results! When the last one finished, I was too excited. I looked at the computer to see the results, and they were not there. Still excited, I said, "Oh well, I'll see what's wrong tomorrow."

The next day around 4th period I was able to see the results. I was devastated! They did horribly. I couldn't understand it. How? Why? I questioned myself. At lunch, I didn't even want to eat. I was so disturbed by my student's grades. How do you do well on a quiz and on homework, but completely fail the test? I just couldn't fathom this concept. Were the questions too hard? Am I not preparing my student enough for the test? I thought that I must be me. So, I analyzed myself. I questioned, "Where did I go wrong?" I told myself, "I thought they were ready." I just couldn't understand it. I was so depressed that I mentioned the grades to my mentor teacher. She explained that I couldn't take every failure personal. (Later, I remember someone else saying that from this great summer program I went to in Oxford, but hey, you just don't remember everything you learn at the exact time you need it.) She continued to say that we had to look at the overall picture: that overall, the scores were improving and that even the advanced students were not doing as well as expected. She said that the Biology Department was about to make changes as a whole to improve test scores. I really hope that change this works, because this nine weeks is supposed to be better. Sometimes I feel like I'm not helping these students at all, and I really wonder why am I here. Then there are times that I know someone is getting it, and I guess for those times I have purpose.